Hidden behind the hideous bust on the cover is an album with lots of potential. Whether it fulfills that expectation is anyone’s guess.
No Llores Mujer ft. Travis Barker
The intro to an album isn’t always the best song, however this just felt… boring? It sounds like it’s simply just a Spanish cover of “No Woman No Cry” by Bob Marley. It’s not necessarily a bad song, just not… good. At all. It got boringly repetitive very quickly and the only thing it did well was lower my expectations for the rest of the album.
1/10
Somos o No Somos
This was a refreshing improvement from the first song and is definitely not one of the worst songs on the album, if sounding dangerously close to “25/8” by Bad Bunny, released earlier this year. The melodies work well and Anuel’s iconic wailing vocals definitely shine here, which is made easy by the almost impressively unremarkable production.
5/10
Reggaetonera
A much better song. Classic reggaeton drum beats keep the energy up and the multiple beat switches keep it interesting all the way through. It is one of those songs that you never really get out of your head and is reminiscent of the features Anuel would do earlier on. I’m no longer disappointed.
6/10
Jangueo ft. Tego Calderon
This song is nothing worth talking about. Theres honestly not much to say – it’s good? I think it’s one of those songs just to build up volume in the album, designed to be forgettable. Well, if it weren’t for Tego Calderon. Tego helps extremely well in making this song rememberable by apparently suffering a stroke during recording. It’s a good song for the comedy factor alone in how absolutely terrible it ends up sounding.
1/10
Hasta Que Dios Diga ft. Bad Bunny
This song isn’t bad as such, it’s just boring. So, so boring. Bad Bunny very clearly works well with Anuel and that’s evident in this song with how much their vocals complement each other – which is why it’s such a shame that this song doesn’t live up to all it could be. Its a track you’d play out loud and sing along to, but its never going to be considered a classic. Towards the end of the song I couldn’t wait for it to finish. It just stretches on and on and on, leaving the listener sick at the end of it. Which, again, is disappointing because these two artists could have done some truly special.
4/10
Narcos
Immediately listening to this, I love it. I have hope again. Maybe God does exist after all. The 808s work so well with Anuel’s vocals, and the trap beat in the background, while textbook and not exactly original, is perfect for this track. It doesn’t necessarily need to be original because it does what it does well. there are only so many ways to arrange a drum beat in this style. the energy is kept up throughout the melody changes, and small background countermelodies and sound effects create an extremely full mix that manages to still hold Anuel’s vocals above all else without sounding muddied. It’s extremely hard to find something wrong about this song and its one that will be remembered for a few years.
8/10
Fútbol & Rumba ft. Enrique Iglesias
This is a clean, well polished anthem, but I can’t help thinking it is a bit too perfect. It sounds more like an early 2010s summer festival type song which, bear in mind, isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just isn’t anything special at all. in fact theres not much to say about this song its just a bit cookie- cutter pop and uninspired; what gave pop its bad reputation.
3/10
Que Se Joda ft. Farruka, Zion
This is a very lively, upbeat song with strong performances from all artists involved. I have the same hangup with how normal this song sounds, with a simple I-V-vi-IV chord progression, infamously used in every pop song ever, and that is definitely not the best part of this song at all. Besides this, the song has a good energy and makes for easy listening.
6/10
Ferrari ft. Lil Wayne
Yes. Just yes. That is all I have to say. (it isn’t) This song is AMAZING. I was so surprised to see a Weezy feature on here, but it strangely works so well and his is definitely the best feature on this album. The chorus is extremely catchy, and Anuel’s heavenly vocals paired with 808s and a “sad” melody easily makes this a song for the playlist. Whether you’re a fan of Latin music or not, this is a must-listen up there with La Canción and Callaita, and my ears thanked me after a few less than perfect songs leading up to this.
9.5/10
El Manuel
Another amazing song. The bass lead burrows deep into your head and doesnt leave for a while. Paired with a higher pitched electric guitar countermelody and bouncy snares, this song exhibits extreme island beach energy. An extremely well produced track that just works. This is most definitely one for the playlist.
9/10
Antes y Después ft. Kendo Kaponi,Yandel, Nengo Flow
Usually a Latin song with this many features tends to be a party anthem, and the emotional piano backing was a surprise, but a welcome one. While the -very repetitive- melody does tend to drag on slightly and lose its charm towards the end, the different artists work to keep the song interesting. If it was a solo song, it would be a very different story, but it works well as it is. The choice of artists was perfect and I can’t imagine a group that would perform better on this less-than-perfect instrumental.
5/10
¿Los Hombres No Lloran?
Anuel slowly builds up the energy and emotion in this annoyingly short song, extremely well. As is seemingly tradition for latin artists, this is one of the token dramatic songs of the album, and it performs that role very well. If I were off my meds it might even make me cry.
7/10
Así Soy Yo ft. Bad Bunny
To be honest, when this first came up in my queue, I thought it was a Bad Bunny song. He does amazingly on the chorus alongside Anuel. This song is everything Hasta Que Dios Dija should have been and more. The reggaeton drum beat is relentless and forces you to dance. This is a very well produced track and proves Bad Bunny and Anuel AA are a dream team. The flow of both of these artists is unmatched on this song and, with these past few songs, it seems like the album is finally on track to be something legendary.
8/10
El Problema
I’m conflicted with this song. The first few listens, I was convinced it was a low quality filler song only saved by Anuel’s vocals. However it seems to have grown on me, basic as it is. The reggaetón drums have an amazing bounce to them that you can’t help but to tap your foot to. There is no doubt I’ll change my mind soon and come to hate this, but for now it’s up there as one of the better songs on the album.
7.5/10
Bandido ft. Mariah
Mariah is an artist I hadn’t heard of prior to this song, but her singing, which sounds eerily similar to Rihanna’s, is nothing short of perfection. The Melody and chords in this song are illegally catchy, reminding me of something Lunay would make, and it works. This is definitely a more anglo-leaning reggaetón song and I predict it will prove very popular in the US. There’s really not a lot to criticise here, apart from a general lack of creativity in production, which, if not done as well, would be a larger issue. It’s a well rounded, well produced song that makes for easy listening.
7/10
Rifles Rusos ft. Tego Calderon
This song was the first to really catch my attention when I listened the first time around, and was the first to be added to my playlist. A hard rap song isn’t what you’d expect from Anuel AA, but it works extremely well, mostly due to the feature from Tego Calderon, who is very clearly now doing what he’s good at. Theres no other way to put it other than this song is a BOP. The repetitive synth lead combined with hard hitting drums and Tego’s guttural voice, creates a song that you can’t help but imagine being played in a movie showing gangsters in Los Barrios. It’s different, it’s memorable, and it sounds very good.
8/10
Mi Vieja
Boring. An extremely uninteresting, faux emotional piano backing saved only barely by some good singing in the chorus from Anuel. Just not good at all. Once again this album raises my expectations only to disappoint me.
2/10
Nubes Negras
The electronic house type latin instrumental is extremely reminiscent of Vibras era J Balvin and is something I personally am a huge fan of. It’s done very well in this song, and the synth lead, with low 808s makes the chorus immediately recognisable and memorable, while the verses are more dominated by pads and an electric guitar that gives this song a summery vibe. It’s a very well produced song that doesn’t stretch on too long, yet lasts long enough not to leave you unsatisfied. A very good song.
8.5/10
Tocándote
A good song that sounds like it drew inspiration from 100X PRE, at least in the production. As I’ve said countless times, Anuel’s vocals are really what makes this special. One particular effect on his vocal track towards the end is really what caught my attention – a pitched up vocaloid reverb that I’ve only ever heard on “Soliá” by Bad Bunny. It’s much more subtle in this song but is just one of the small hardly noticeable details that make songs like these as perfect as they are.
7/10
Estrés Postraumático
A hard trap song that I’ve come to recognise is really where Anuel AA shines. The 808 shifts and hi hat rolls, with the constant 160bpm metronome in the background keeps you on your toes and the energy at a constant high. Another really good song that dare I say would be made better with Dalex or even Tego Calderon.
7/10
Secreto ft. KAROL G
A catchy sing a long type song. The terribly basic melody is slightly made up for by good enough performances from both artists, even if KAROL G is vastly overshadowed in this instance. Its not a song that will be remembered in comparison to others in the album, but is okay in itself, if not particularly outstanding.
4.5/10
China ft. Daddy Yankee, Ozuna, KAROL G, J Balvin
The perfect end to this album. The multitude of melodies and countermelodies from synths, electric guitars, and a variety of voices leads to an experience of pure bliss in your ears. The chorus mainly features vocals from Ozuna and Daddy Yankee, and they do not let down, meaning this song’s chorus is the most memorable out of any in the album. KAROL G performs much better here than she did in Secreto and stands out well alongside the rest of Latin royalty featured. At times the tempo is a bit high but that is down to personal preference. That is my only complaint. An extremely well composed, produced, and performed song.
9.5/10
As A Whole,
7/10
Emmanuel is an undoubtedly extremely well produced album with an A list range of features and famously good vocals that is weighed down only by a few horribly boring and unoriginal songs that disrupt the flow of the album. It’s jarring and unignorable – the drop in quality from one song to another. Notable gems such as Narcos, Ferrari, El Manuel, Rifles Rusos, and China make this album something special and definitely worth a listen!
Just Music. Ranked. 