J Balvin - Colores

The Guardian 80

(Universal Music Latino)

Since Colombian reggaeton sensation J Balvin’s global breakthrough with 2017 banger Mi Gente, his stock has risen thanks in part to a slew of well-chosen collaborations that have ridden the wave of streaming culture’s democratisation. From Beyoncé appearing on a Mi Gente remix, to global smashes with the likes of Cardi B (I Like It) and fellow Latin sensation Rosalía (Con Altura), Balvin has expertly curated his superstar status by bringing other people into his world without compromise (he still sings and raps in Spanish).

Perhaps keen to reiterate how in control he is, his sixth album, Colores (each song is named after a shade), limits outside guests to just one, with Nigerian Afrobeats star Mr Eazi bringing a swooning softness to the dancefloor-ready Arcoíris. Elsewhere it’s Balvin’s show, be it utilising a Drake-esque croon on the excellent R&B slow jam-esque Rojo, or eerily stalking the drip-feed beat that underpins bass-rattling highlight, Negro.

Pitchfork 73

Already a global star, reggaetón’s reigning hitmaker tries his hand at becoming an auteur with an audiovisual album.

The Guardian 0

(Universal Music)
The Colombian returns with an infernally catchy album set to smash cultural boundaries – if not artistic ones

There are few hard and fast laws in the world of rock and pop music, but as a general rule of thumb, you can tell an album is considered a big deal if its release involves a global fashion retailer launching an accompanying range of clothes for both adults and children. So it is with J Balvin’s sixth solo album: whatever you make of Guess’s attendant Colores capsule collection (it’s as subtle and understated as you might expect from clothes designed by a singer who expressed his solidarity with 2019’s Pride events by dying his hair rainbow colours) its existence tells you a lot about the enviable commercial position the 34-year-old Colombian currently finds himself in.

Related: ‘I’ve been through hell’: J Balvin on burn out and Beyoncé