It’s getting to the time of year when people in Chicago start thinking about spending time someplace a little warmer — a tropical island, perhaps? If that’s where your head is, music journalist Sandra Treviño is right there with you. She’s got the sounds of the tropics in this week’s Hispanic Heritage Month playlist.

“We’re digging into tropical music from across Latin America and the artists that are bringing in their own influences to create their own take on traditional music,” Treviño said.

Here are Treviño’s suggestions for adding some tropical sounds to your playlist.

MULA, “Y Ahora”

SANDRA SAYS: In the Dominican Republic, for example, the catchy dance rhythms of merengue and bachata reign supreme, especially from artists like Los Hermanos Rosario, but let’s listen to something from the lovely trio known as MULA. The group is formed by twin sisters Las Acevedo and producer Rachel Rojas. Their music is fantastic, blending merengue, bachata, electronic, pop and dembow. They just have this powerful, futuristic aesthetic that lends to their sound.

Buscabulla, NPR Tiny Desk

SANDRA SAYS: From Puerto Rico, I’d like to share something from the husband-wife duo Buscabulla. They are known for their tropical synth-pop sounds and what they refer to as the Caribbean music of the future. I found it fascinating that during the pandemic, they recorded live electronic performances from inside their car.

Chupame El Dedo, “Beaches Brew”

SANDRA SAYS: Here’s something completely out of control from a project called Chupame El Dedo. This is a side project of Colombian neo-tropical group Meridian Brothers and Romperayo. It’s fast and furious and silly, wacky and fun. I hope you enjoy its ridiculousness as much as I do.