J Balvin’s new album “Rayo” is named after his first feeling of freedom: the miniature red Volkswagen Golf car that took him to and from his first gigs and studio sessions in his hometown of Medellín, Colombia. A dedication to those beginnings, the 15-song album is largely based on Balvin’s signature rap flow and marks another sonic return to home after a three-year hiatus following 2021’s radio-friendly “Jose.”
“I’m back, full of energy, grateful and enjoying the music like I did at the beginning,” wrote Balvin, whose real name is José Álvaro Osorio Balvín, in a social media post announcing “Rayo.” “I present to you an album that I really enjoyed making with the greats of music and the new generations. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and feel the energy that I felt when making it.”
Having established himself as a global star with bona fide anthems like “Mi Gente” and “I Like It”—he remains the second most streamed Latin artist on Spotify—Balvin’s latest offering is largely built around reggaeton beats curated by some of the genre’s most prominent producers, including Keityn, Lexvz and DJ Luian. Balvin remains a melodic and infectious singer throughout, with his strongest and most engaging performances shining on playful tracks like “Swat” and “Cosa De Locos.”
He leaves plenty of room for newcomers, enlisting fresh talent like Blessd, Luar La L, Ryan Castro and YOVNGCHIMI for the album’s more energetic cuts. You only have to listen to “Rayo” in its entirety a few times to recognize the standout “party anthems” that Balvin promised back in July: “Swat,” “Ganster,” “Gaga” and “Origami.”
There are limited hints of emerging styles – from Afrobeats on the Carin Leon-featuring “Stoker” to EDM on the Latin trap-inflected “En Alta” – cleverly woven into the album’s tracklist, resulting in a fairly polished collection of Pope (Pop and Reggaeton). The lyrics are less vulnerable and personal than “Jose” as Balvin and his guests keep the subject matter strictly limited to parties, women, relationships and sex.
It’s easy to find the groove in “Rayo” because the product is the result of an expert formula: a well-rehearsed camp of reggaeton hitmakers making the music they’ve become internationally known for. Despite this element of predictability, there’s also nothing on “Rayo” that feels like a waste of time.
