As I have stated many times on this blog, one of my favorite things in the world is when I come across a new up-and-coming or independent artist whose music I immediately become enamored with. It is so cool and fulfilling for me when I find an underappreciated artist with a distinct and cool sound and style, especially in a music landscape where it seems like everyone is trying to sound like everyone else. Niko Rubio is an artist I recently came across who definitely fits this description. I was introduced to her music while scrolling TikTok about a month ago, and I have not been able to get enough of her music since. Niko Rubio is an artist with a sound and style that is truly unique. Her music has elements of Alternative Pop Rock, R&B, Neo-Soul, and even Reggae. She makes music in Spanish and in English, making it accessible for so many kinds of music fans. She has been releasing music since 2019, including multiple EPs and singles that showcase her growth as an artist. In the summer of 2025, Niko Rubio dropped a 4-song EP called Ring Ring, which is entirely in Spanish. Below, I wanted to talk about the songs on this newest EP from Niko Rubio and then give some overall thoughts to close things out. Please let me know in the comments below how you feel about Niko Rubio’s Ring Ring, and also comment the names of any other independent artists you think I should look up!  

BABY

Niko Rubio begins this EP with a very energetic and vibrant note with the song ‘Baby.’ This is an Alt Pop-Rock song with a 2000s sound to it, with a Latin twist. When I first heard this song, it immediately made me think of bands like Toploader(specifically, the iconic ‘Dancing In The Moonlight), or even some of the early stuff by the Arctic Monkeys. The melody is so sweet and bright, and the beat just makes me want to dance. Now, there is definitely a Latin element to the instrumental that also reminds me of Selena. This fusion of that style of Tejano Rock music and British Alt-Rock is so fun and cool. Niko Rubio’s light, breathy vocals on this song add to the very airy and inviting feeling of the song. Listening to ‘Baby’ almost makes me feel like I am floating; it is such a pleasant feeling. On ‘Baby,’ Niko Rubio sings about how she just wants her partner to truly open up their love to her. She totally accepts who this person is and just longs to spend time with them.

RING RING

‘Ring Ring’ is the track I came across on TikTok by Niko Rubio that immediately turned me into a fan. Honestly, ever since I heard this one, I have been listening to it non-stop; I can easily say ‘Ring Ring’ is one of my favorite songs of this year. Now, for the most part, you do not come across Reggae music sung in Spanish very often. ‘Ring Ring’ proves this sound definitely needs to be explored more(hopefully by Niko Rubio herself). The melody for this song is so luscious and warm. The guitar riff that drives it and the horns and keyboard riff that complement it honestly make me think of a hot summer day at the beach with a drink in hand. Niko Rubio’s vocals on this song are a bit more pronounced and heavy. Her sweet yet sultry tone adds the all-encompassing feeling of the track. There is something about this one that is so addictive to me. On ‘Ring Ring,’ Niko Rubio sings about how she is over her ex. She implores them to stop calling her, as she does not want to deal with the lies anymore

NO LO VOLVERÉ HACER

Niko Rubio gets back into her Rock music bag with the song ‘No Lo Volveré Hacer.’ This is definitely the most energetic song of the project. It also has what is probably the least positive or uplifting sound. This track immediately makes me think of retro Latin Rock music. The tone of the instrumental and the pacing of the track remind me of the music by Maná, in particular. The piano and guitar riff that drives this track are groovy and kind of cold; the horns that complement those riffs add to that feeling, giving the song an almost anxious element. Niko Rubio’s vocals on this track do bring a soothing element. Something about her tone does bring a sense of calm. ‘No Lo Volveré Hacer’ is certainly a song that will get people dancing, though; it has an addictive and frantic energy. On No Lo Volveré Hacer,’ Niko Rubio sings about self-growth and longing for a more fruitful future. She does not want to always be messing up and penny pinching, and tries to hope and believe that everything will end up being okay.

QUISIERA SABER

Niko Rubio closes out the EP on a very lovely and feathery note with the track ‘Quisiera Saber.’ This is the slowest and most tranquil song of the EP. I can hear some Kali Uchis influence on this one, for sure. It the the only song without a beat, instead being solely driven by the super angelic melody. This melody is driven by an endearing guitar riff complemented by synths and horns, which increase in intensity as the song progresses. About halfway through the track, a piano riff comes in to complement the guitar and the rest of the instrumental, which makes ‘Quisiera Saber’ even more rich-sounding. ‘Quisiera Saber’ has my favorite vocal performance of the project as well. Niko Rubio’s vocals on this one are so strong and full, and they add so much to the ambience of the track. Overall, ‘Quisiera Saber’ has such an ethereal sound. On ‘Quisiera Saber,’ Niko Rubio longs for a partner who will grow with her and stay with her. As she sees her life pass by, she just wants that stability from her partner.

Now, normally, when I do a write-up/review on this blog, I will pick a couple/few songs to write about instead of covering every track like I did on Niko Rubio’s Ring Ring. In this case, though, I enjoyed every song thoroughly and felt like I had to talk about them each individually. To keep it simple, this EP is just a gem. Niko Rubio shows an awesome amount of range and diversity on this project. Every song is so distinct and shows a different side to her artistry. Each track is unique and takes influence from artists and sounds that I frankly did not expect to hear. Where else are you going to hear a project that has Latin Pop, Alt-Rock, and Reggae on it, while all being in Spanish? Even though every track has a different sound, the EP still flows together so well. It feels incredibly seamless for how diverse its sound is. And, not only does this EP have such cool instrumentation, but the vocals from Niko Rubio are excellent as well. She adjusts to the style of each track so well and helps every song become captivating in its own right. Overall, even though it is short, Ring Ring is so fulfilling. This was a lovely introduction to Niko Rubio’s music, and I can not wait to see what she does next!