Uruguayan musician Gonzalo Yáñez has been making music from a very young age. After working with different groups, he began his solo career in 2004. In this song, the title track of his latest album, he blends acoustic guitar with synthesized sounds, and the catchiness of the chorus contrasts with the darkness of the narrative lyrics.

People lose hope all the time. But new hopes are born every day: hopes of changing stations in life, of winning over someone’s heart. Ivo and the Doña are both busy inspiring dreams in others.

Manu Chao is French, but he has Spanish roots. He sings in six or seven different languages, from Spanish to English to Arabic, and his music has even more diverse influences. “Clandestino,” the title track from Manu’s first album, deals with the issue of immigration: “I wrote it about the border between Europe and those coming from poorer nations. Look around – maybe thirty percent of the people in this street are clandestino (illegal).”

Mili can’t concentrate during her table manners lesson… she’d rather learn about men. Meanwhile, Pablo seems to have broken out of his self-induced solitude, but is it too soon? Like anyone would, Ivo wants to help his best friend get what he wants… but if that something is Ivo’s sister, will he still be a true blue friend?

Bajofondo is, according to the group, a “collective of composers, singers and artists.” They started out as the Bajofondo Tango Club with a strong tango influence, but have since broadened their sound. Here they talk about the collective and begin a discussion of their sound.

Camilo Lara is the man behind the Mexican Institute of Sound (when he’s not busy being the president of EMI Music in Mexico). With this project, he intended to create a fusion of traditional elements with electronic music. MIS tunes have been invading TV and advertising lately; see if you recognize the song “Alocatel.”

Quiero Club is an indie band from Monterrey, Mexico. The name of the group (in Spanish, “I want club”) points to the types of music they combine: rock, pop, and electronic music. From their second album released in 2008, “Minutos de Aire” is a collaboration with Jorge Gonzalez from the Chilean band Los Prisioneros. You don’t want to miss this trippy adventure of a video!

Socorro is worried that she’s lost her chance with Ramon forever, but watch her react to Ramon’s juicy news. And is the boss making a pass at one of his employees? What will she say? Meanwhile, falling off the wagon results in a falling out.

Formerly known as “Bitman y Roban,” DJ Bitman is one of the new faces of Chilean music. But DJ Bitman’s music is far from belonging to only one place: you can hear traces of Brazilian samba and even some New York hip hop. There is also some Caribbean salsa and some European dub. It’s not a surprise that people from everywhere enjoy it!

Nothing lasts forever. Sadly, sometime in 2001 the fabulous Argentinian band Los Fabulosos Cadillacs announced their final tour. But after a long hiatus, in April of 2008, they announced a comeback! This song comes from the album they released that year. Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, or LFC, is the most famous ska band of Latin America, and an obligatory part of any dance playlist!

Novalima is very aware of the importance of Peruvian folk music, not just in their sound but in another musical genres as well. Paco de Lucía, a Spanish flamenco musician, might have made the sound of the “cajón” (a box-like musical instrument) famous, but that sound is Peruvian as it gets.

How is the weather on the fifth season? According to this video we should expect some winds with a few sunny flashbacks. And there is also a chance of Marc Anthony, mostly know for being Jennifer Lopez’s significant one.

It’s no time for jokes: Luisa’s family thinks she’s fallen off the wagon and Socorro is pregnant. But should these concerns be taken seriously? Madame Angelica is determined to get to the bottom of the pregnancy question. Not all is bad, however: Milagros seems to have overcome her fears of letting someone in…

Discovering love is an exciting adventure. First caresses, first kisses, first…? But wasn’t Milagros brought up in a convent by nuns? How will she reconcile her feelings with her upbringing?

Continue learning about what specific kinds of music go into the mix to make the special sound that is Novalima.