A seemingly overnight success, Mexican pop singer-songwriter Humbe first broke out while still barely into his twenties. Bolstered by highlights “EL POETA” and “Te Conocí en Japón,” 2021’s appealing and affecting ENTROPÍA captured an uncannily cool artist making meaningful waves with a receptive young audience. The follow-up effort AURORA arrived later that year, further demonstrating his pop prowess via cuts like “AMOR DE CINE.” Yet there’s a clear progression to be found on his latest album, ESENCIA, with its alternative and R&B vibes on prominent display. From the downtempo grooves of the emotional “sanvalentín:(” to the jazzy accents of “TU VALOR,” he reveals more of a range than previously indicated, something further amplified by his vocal potency amid the lush atmospheres of “mamá” and the sleek R&B of “serotonina.”