Two years of Urbano Latino in review for the price of one
Milo J’s second album shows that the young Argentinian rapper has a lot to bring to the table, and he’s just getting started. Opening strong out of the gate with “3 PECADOS DESPUÉS
” (“3 SINS LATER”), this album surpasses his previous music in quality and scope. Every one of the songs has a catchy hook and carries a confidence you don’t see in a lot of young rappers. It’s an intricate listening experience, with layers of different sounds and effects intertwining in harmony. “166” brings the spice of Argentinian trap together in a satisfyingly balanced and ambitious record.
Favorite song: “PARAÍSO (DAÑA)”
The concept of an album imitating a radio station isn’t original in of itself, but newcomer Nsqk (according to his Spotify profile: “it’s pronounced nesquik”) employs this concept to create a strong sophomore album. Nsqk handled the album’s production himself, an impressive feat already, and I believe the album shines because its production parallels the quality of much larger artists. The album’s lyrical content centers on lost love, which is previewed by its title: “ATP” stands for “Aún Te Pienso,” or “I still think about you.” This album shows that Nsqk has lots of potential musically,
especially by highlighting his natural reggaeton skills, while also mixing in his character and humor as seen through funny skits throughout.
Favorite song: “MUBI” (featuring Álvaro Diaz)
Young Miko’s debut studio album is an album whose power comes from its simplicity. The smooth reggaeton beats demonstrate her precise musical ability and lead to a satisfying lister experience. Young Miko is also unafraid to be herself on this album: songs like “ay mami” speak explicitly about her sexual relations with another woman, opening up the musical space for other LGBTQ artists. The album cover depicts a person lying on their bed while using their phone, which I believe encapsulates the cozy feeling of the album. Overall, “att.” is smooth, comfortable, and confident. It’s a captivating album that shows Young Miko can stand out from the crowd.
Favorite song: “ID” (featuring Jowell & Randy)
If I had to pick the best album of 2024, “Cosa Nuestra” by Rauw Alejandro would be the choice. Not one minute of this gorgeous album disappoints. With ease, Alejandro blends salsa and bachata with his modern reggaeton and Latin trap. This album cements him as one of Latin music’s top talents. It laments lost love while also looking toward the future with a hopeful eye. I believe “Cosa Nuestra” to be Alejandro’s most ambitious project, with each song following a musical path different from the one before it. This no-skip album shows his maturity as an artist who will be known for years to come.
Favorite song: “Revolú” (featuring Feid)
Colombian singer Karol G’s followup album to the majorly successful “MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO” maintains the energy from the previous album and rises to another level. Karol G defines “bichota” as “an empowered woman who has control” and that’s exactly how this album feels. Both “MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO” and its followup are great albums, but this was stronger and made more out of its time. A shorter, ten track album centrally reggaeton and Latin trap, it feels more centered and assertive than her previous work. This album marks a new phase for Karol G as a global superstar. It proves she’s creative, confident, and most of all, formidable. I can’t wait to hear more from her.
Favorite song: “OKI DOKI”
El Conejo Malo returned to remind the world why he’s called the King of Latin Trap. In this album twenty-two songs long, not one is a filler. Opening with the honest and candid track “NADIE SABE,” Benito sets the tone for the rest of the album. It then moves onto the viral “MONACO,” another temazo sampling Charles Aznavour’s “Hier Encore” with a trap twist. The album takes you through an energetic trap journey, the genre he strayed from in his previous album. The most interesting part, I noticed, was that every one of the tracks could have held its ground as a single. Every song is unique while maintaining the same confident energy, flair, and style that makes Bad Bunny’s music so captivating.
Favorite song: “NO ME QUIERO CASAR”
This collaborative EP sees Colombian reggaetonero Feid (also known as “Ferxxo”) uniting with producer Sky Rompiendo. Together, they switch up their usual flow. Having a producer as one of the main artists means production is a particular focus. This is proven from the quality delivered by these nine tracks. I’ve found that a lot of Feid’s solo projects aren’t the most innovative, but his collaborations with other artists are where he shines. Feid’s Caribbean-accented voice uniquely marks this music and with Sky Rompiendo the two created a very memorable album.
Favorite song: “1XXX RAXONES”
Rauw Alejandro’s “PLAYA SATURNO” is a straight reggaeton album that transports you to a party on a Puerto Rican beach every time you listen to it. This album is a spinoff, Alejandro says, meant to be a companion to “SATURNO,” released in late 2022. Every one of the album’s tracks are catchy and danceable, which isn’t a quality found on every reggaeton album nowadays. The album strides with a masterful control of sound and a spicy energy that makes Rauw Alejandro’s reggaeton so appealing.
Favorite song: “SI TE PEGAS” (featuring Miguel Bosé)
Spanish singer, songwriter and producer Saiko only appeared on the music scene a few years ago but he’s determined to make a splash. His debut album “SAKURA” is the most unique album I’ve heard in the entire genre. It employs sounds that I’ve never even heard before. It’s an aggressive trap album that distinguishes itself with its mixture of highly electronic effects with trap and alternative dembow beats. The album features popular artists like Feid, J Balvin, and although he’s uncredited, Myke Towers. Each brings their unique style to their respective tracks. The whole album was made with the desire to make the greatest music Saiko could put together. And he’s only twenty-one years old—he has lots of time to remain at the forefront of Urbano Latino.
Favorite song: “POLARIS – Remix” (featuring Feid, Quevedo, Mora)
Rolling Stone hails it as the top Latin album of 2024. Álvaro Díaz’s second album, sequel to the 2021 “Felicilandia,” is a darker sibling of the former but a great improvement. Álvaro focuses on reggaeton but begins exploring a harder sound like rock in an Urbano Latino style over twenty songs. The record is long, but his music catalog has all built up to this climactic album. The sister albums tell a story: elated love, followed by the acceptance of bygones. It’s a simple concept but well-employed. This is another album where there truly are no filler songs. Each song is engaging, hooking you from the beginning with the powerful “TE VI EN MIS PESADILLAS”.
Favorite song: “BYAK” (featuring Rauw Alejandro)
“DATA” by Tainy — the most excellent album
Tainy is arguably the most popular Latin producer of all time. He’s produced for many artists but his most popular songs come from collaborations in the studio with Bad Bunny, the global superstar. Tainy’s premier album “DATA” is a realisation of the full potential of reggaeton. Each of its twenty tracks features a different artist, some artists multiple times, sometimes multiple artists. Every vocalist brings something unique to Tainy’s thumping beats. The years of effort put into the album shine through; years of experimentation to perfect his craft led to this powerhouse. Not one song sounds like the next—although they’re connected by the same excited energy, seeking to deliver an incredible ride for the listener—and it improves on every reggaeton song created before. It’s innovative, memorable, captivating, crisp, climactic, hopeful… There’s no Urbano Latino album greater than this. Every time I hear it I remember the warmth of summer. It always takes me back to when I first experienced it. I can’t pick a favorite song off this album because they were all my favorite when I first heard it, and no album has affected me the way this one did. The album’s excellence truly speaks for itself. I know this album will not be lost in the clutter of Latin music because it’s a reggaeton keystone that will be cherished for a long while.
Favorite song: all of them
