Winter is typically kind of a cold, barren wasteland as far as albums go, but in the Latin music world — like much of Latin America — things often manage to stay fairly caliente. The last few months (and granted, we are reaching back to the very edges of winter) have seen a number of exciting new Latin releases that encompass everything from alt-rock to Garifuna pop, reggaeton (lots and lots of reggaeton) to Ricky Martin. Catch up on current Latin music with our roundup of recent albums, complete with nutshell reviews, don't-miss tracks and further listening suggestions.
Ricky MartinMusica + Alma + Sexo
In a Nutshell: Ricky Martin sounds like he's walking on air on his ninth album, his first since proudly coming out as gay in 2010. Nothing here is mind-blowing, but Martin sounds self-assured, sexy and positively liberated, working a buoyant, balanced strut through easygoing dance pop and sweeping slow jams.
Don't Miss: The high dance pop drama of "Te Vas."
For Those Who Like: Shaking their bon bon. Living la vida loca. Reformed boy banders. Lance Bass. Enrique Iglesias. Jon Secada. (Boys who like) cute boys. Thalia. Jennifer Lopez.
Wisin y YandelLos Vaqueros, El Regreso
In a Nutshell: Packed to the brim with guests, Los Vaqueros finds W&Y playing host, guiding us through reggaeton's full range, from club bangers to slow jams, strutting reggaeton riddims to balling hip-hop beats. They're such good hosts, in fact, that they're sometimes outshone by their guests, which makes this a great tour of reggaeton, but an odd, sometimes even lackluster Wisin y Yandel album.
Don't Miss: The ominous beats and plaintive vocals of "Muevete." Hearing 50 Cent and T-Pain singsong and skip along with the hopscotching beat of "No Dejemos Que Se Apague."
For Those Who Like: Urban cowboys. Daddy Yankee. Hip-hop dialogues. Gracious hosts. Luny Tunes. Tego Calderon. RKM & Ken-Y. Don Omar.
Aurelio MartinezLaru Beya (Next Ambiance)
In a Nutshell: Swirling currents of often-unexpected sound (subtle horns here, surf rock licks there). Vintagey guitars and dubby, scratched-out beats. A globe-trotting aesthetic that jets from Afropop to Manu Chao. And nary a synth! Garifuna music has never sounded so ... hip. Martinez's masterful hands orchestrate Sub Pop cool (Laru is the second-ever album on the label's new world imprint) into an exciting evolution of the distinctive Garifuna (African-Central American) tradition.
Don't Miss: The easy, breezy, seaside sway of the title track. The hipster beats and Afro-Latin pop stylings of "Ineweyu" (tongue-twisting hook). It manages to make even the ocean "breezes" at the beginning of "Yurumei" not cheesy — rolling drums set in.
For Those Who Like: Andy Palacio. Youssou N'Dour (Martinez's mentor). Globe-trotting hipsters. West African music. Latin pop.
Jon SecadaOtra Vez
In a Nutshell: Once upon a time, Jon Secada was the boyish wonder of Latin pop, but even in his actual youth, the heartthrob always had a mature, almost adult contemporary sound. Now, at age 48, he's got an album that crackles with youthful pop vigor. (In the middle, things still verge on the hokey and the slightly overwrought.) But even if that vigor is a bit forced at times, the "boy" is still dreamy. Solid Latin pop fare.
Don't Miss: Skipping, swaying lead single "Dejame Quererte."
For Those Who Like: Ricky Martin. Gloria Estefan. The '80s. Peter Pan (complex) pop.
JuanesP.A.R.C.E.
In a Nutshell: P.A.R.C.E. (Medellin slang for "buddy" or "dude") finds Juanes recommitted to family, love and rock 'n' roll. South America's golden child stitches together soul-baring love songs, inspirational themes and political indictments with a sonic glue equal parts rock, pop and Latin American folk rhythms. — Sarah Bardeen
Don't Miss: "Segovia," possibly the most upbeat-sounding song about a massacre ever.
For Those Who Like: Their Latin rock stars serious, soulful and Spanish-speaking. Early Shakira. Fonseca. Soda Stereo.
Bill Frisell and Vinicius CantuariaLagrimas Mexicanas
In a Nutshell: Jazz guitarist Frisell and Brazilian artist Cantuaria pay tribute to New York City's large Latin American expat community. The "tears" in the title come out as a sense of yearning and slight displacement, as if these alternately gorgeous and driving tunes were performed around a campfire on the roof of an urban apartment building. -- Nick Dedina
Don't Miss: "Forinfas," which, with its American/French swagger, sounds as if the "outsiders" have suddenly made themselves at home.
For Those Who Like: Caetano Veloso. Jorge Ben Jor. Dave Holland. Brazil. New York.
Calle 13Entren Los Que Quieran
In a Nutshell: This one came out a few months ago, but we want to be sure you don't miss it. The inventive musicality that has always raised Calle 13 head and shoulders above their Puerto Rican compatriots has found its mate in Residente's increasingly poetic and pointed lyrics. The guy takes down his record label within the first five minutes: "My label's not Sony, my label's the people." — S.B.
Don't Miss: "Todo Se Mueve," which makes us move in harmony with the universe, even as we deplore its evils.
For Those Who Like: Socially conscious (and politically sharp-tongued) reggaeton. Tego Calderon. Bizarro Wisin y Yandel. Latin pop with a punch.
RKM & Ken-YForever
In a Nutshell: Forget bombastic beats and syncopated swagger. On their latest, RKM & Ken-Y are all about the romance, baby (not that these two pop stars have often come on particularly hard). With the occasional dance pop exception (and one big, bad reggaeton banger, "El Party Sigue [24/7]"), Forever is dominated by sensual, well-crafted slow jams that explore a wide range of ballad styles and showcase Ken-Y's sweet vocals and RKM's soft rapping.
Don't Miss: The duo's willingness to play with textural details, like the surprising Arabic/African-esque production (a synth-shawm? A West African kora harp?) on "A Ella Le Gusta El Dembow" or the tripping wooden beats and pretty acoustic guitars of "No Vuelvas."
For Those Who Like: Dynamic 'y' duos (e.g., Angel y Khriz, Wisin y Yandel). Slow dance-ready slow jams. Tony Dize. Tito "El Bambino." Velvet-tongued sweet-talkers.
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