AOTW: Bad Bunny – Debi Tirar Mas Fotos

January 23rd, 2025 by Liz Kosik

by Isabelle Braudakis ’25

Album of The Week: Bad Bunny – Debi Tirar Mas Fotos

Release: January 5, 2025

Rate: 10/10

RIYL: Rauw Alejandro, Karol G, Maluma

Once again Bad Bunny has set the stage for all Latin artists around the world. Not only has he perfectly mastered and mixed a reggaeton album, this time, he incorporates traditional Puerto Rican sounds such as salsa, bomba, and plena, creating a perfect blend that showcases his passion and love for music and most importantly, his home.

As a devoted fan and Boricua, myself, I must say that this album isn’t just music, it deeply resonates with anyone who has grown up on the island where these rhythms are the heartbeat of the community. Benito’s ability to take the traditional and spin it into something so modern and unique is nothing short of genius.

The album kicks off with “NUEVAYoL”, which features a sample of the 1975 song “Un Verano en Nueva York” by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans and New York go way back, all the way back to the 1950’s. From the first track, Benito signals a record rich in culture and nods to his heritage. As the sample fades, reggaeton and dembow beats take over, accompanied by Benito’s catchy vocals and lyrics steeped in Puerto Rican references. It’s fun, upbeat, and an unforgettable opener.

Each song is a story, one that stands out to me that is so rich in emotion and meaning is “LO QUE LE PASO A HAWAii”, which translates to “What happened to Hawaii”. This song is a rallying cry about the issues in Puerto Rico. It talks about the deep feeling of loss and longing for the past. The rich culture that was present in all corners of the island has been overrun by commercialization and the effects of colonialism. This song juxtaposes the idealized paradise that tourists consume with the lived reality of Puerto Rican people. “They want to take my river, and my beach too. They want my neighborhood and your kids to leave. Don’t let go of the flag or forget the lelolai. Cause I don’t want them to do to you what they did to Hawaii.” Such a powerful line accompanied by the cuatro and the guiro, and moments of silence broken by a rooster’s crow and the song of the coqui.

Something you will only ever hear in Puerto Rico. Benito starts this song out with the line “This is a dream I had…” and continues to sing in a quiet and whispered tone. His softness and the transcendent melody evoke the feeling of a child recounting a nightmare. As the song ends, the dynamics shift, and he sounds as if he is begging and pleading for his home to not be corrupted and destroyed. It is a poignant reflection of Puerto Rico’s ongoing struggles.

“EoO” matches more of his signature style with pulsating reggaeton and dance beats. The production highlights the dynamic bass lines and rhythms which encourage movement, it is catchy, exciting, and fun.

In this album, Bad Bunny collaborates with notable artists such as Los Pleneros de la Cresta, RaiNao, Omar Courtz, each bringing their unique flair to the project. The use of traditional instruments like the ‘cuatro’ and ‘guiro’ alongside synths provide a sonic experience that bridges generations. This album is not just party music, it is a love letter to his island. It made me feel an incredible sense of pride and nostalgia while also making me miss home on a whole different level.

To someone who may be interested in listening to this record, I would recommend listening to “NUEVAYoL”, “VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR“, “EoO“, “DtMF“, and “LA MuDANZA.” Bravo Benito, Bravo!