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NEW YORK — The titanium sheen is a distraction. The duvet of “Rayo,” Colombian singer-rapper J Balvin’s first album since 2021’s “Jose,” depicts a futuristic-looking automobile wrapped in chrome. On nearer inspection, it’s a Volkswagen Golf, a popular-the-world over, nondescript metropolis automobile. However in Balvin’s universe, it’s blinged out — his attribute smiley face emblem emblazoned on the edges beneath opened scissor doorways, a function usually reserved for a luxurious automobile, like a Lamborghini.
It serves as an ideal allegory for the album: A well-recognized determine, made in Balvin’s picture, and a direct reflection of his early hustle and future success.
A VW Golf, it seems, was his first automobile. And on “Rayo,” J Balvin returns to his old flame: feel-good, party-ready music.
Final 12 months, Balvin instructed The Related Press about his music “Amigos,” what he dubbed a return to “romantic reggaetón” — the music that made him a reputation within the first place. It was a minimum of partially a response to his fiery single “Dientes,” a ’00s club-inspired Latino urbano observe which interpolates Usher’s “Yeah!.” When that was launched, he mentioned his followers beloved it, however they have been anticipating reggaetón — his “unique sound,” as he put it. “Rayo” is the natural continuation of that concept. Throughout 15-tracks of life-affirming dembow and synth-y pop, stacked to the brim with collaborations, the album doesn’t try innovation. Somewhat, it succeeds as a single, self-sustaining playlist, all high-octane membership bangers for the yard and South Seashore in equal measure.
Not that there aren’t new makes an attempt: “three Noches,” one of many few solo songs on the album, experiments with Afrobeats. On “Gato,” Balvin enlists Catalan urbano singer Unhealthy Gyal, whose raspy vocal tone provides a brand new texture.
However it’s, after all, reggaetón, that drives “Rayo.” Don’t take our phrase for it, take his: Balvin asks you to bounce with him to the stuff , and he instructs you to place it on
Highlights are present in a number of the energetic collaborations, like within the earworm “Origami” with Ryan Castro and Blessd, or “Doblexxó,” which options fellow Colombian famous person Feid.
“It’s a music that represents a variety of Medellín’s reggaetón,” Balvin instructed the lately. “We’re two ‘paisas’ , with paisa slang on this music.”
Then there are extra basic moments, like “Polvo de tu Vida” and “Lobo” with Puerto Rican reggaetón legends Chencho Corleone and Zion of Zion & Lennox, respectively.
Cool downs are few and much between on this audio social gathering, maybe restricted to the ballad “Stoker,” with regional Mexican musician Carín León – a uncommon danger that pays off for Balvin.
J Balvin has been often called a hitmaker throughout his profession. That continues on “Rayo.” However what comes subsequent?
Related Press Author Berenice Bautista contributed to this report from Mexico Metropolis.
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