Today's Top Tune

Teacher, folklorist, three-time Latin Grammy winner, and a former Minister of Culture in her native Peru, Susana Baca heralds the revival of Afro-Peruvian music. Baca’s forthcoming album “Palabras Urgentes,” or Spanish for “Urgent Words,” (out Oct. 8) is a captivating collection produced by Snarky Puppy’s Michael League. Take a listen to standout track “Sorongo.”

KCRW DJ Valida doesn’t just play records on the air, she makes music too! Months into the pandemic, Valida began to think about the pull of romantic relationships and came up with this moody yet upbeat track, “On Fire.”

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Gabriel Rios moved to Belgium as a teenager to study painting. His fifth studio album, “Flore,” praises his roots in the music of Latin America and the Caribbean and offers cool covers from some of his favorite artists, like this beautiful reimagining of Cheo Feliciano’s “El Raton.”

Growing up in both the inner city and suburbs of Milwaukee, Silas Short found himself in one of the most segregated cities in the U.S. Silas’ mixed racial identity was under constant attack, so he turned to art and music to fortify his soul. On “ROOMS,” Silas appreciates his biracial identity with a safe space for what he calls “Black people into alternative music.”

They may have a French name, but psych-pop outfit Petite Amie are Mexico City-based and release their self-titled debut album at the end of the week. But why wait? Get familiar with them through an acoustic and serene track titled “Adios.”

A legendary figure in Japanese psychedelic rock, Shintaro Sakamoto brings a laid back and experimental approach to his work. We love the old timey sound of “The Feeling of Love.”

We’ve been discovering a wide variety of artists via our Global Beat: Australia program, with Melbourne after-dark pop darlings FERLA as one of those stand out groups. We want to make sure you don’t miss this one, a down-tempo new wave stunner on a baritone bed called “I See You.”

Wanda Jackson meets The Ronettes on Shannon & The Clams’ new album, “Year Of The Spider.” Gutsy and strong, Shannon sings her heart out on “Do I Wanna Stay.”

LA-based Robin Schorr makes music under the handle of Blond in Car. Hints of Sade lace the song “Another Girl,” a vignette that calls out smooth operators.

Catch the unstoppable Durand Jones & The Indications as they unlock a wide range of new sounds on their new album “Private Space,” anchored by the lush vocals of Aaron Frazer on “Sea Of Love.”