No matter what language you speak, Latino pop star Ricky Martin’s latest creation is sure to strike a beat. With the release of his tenth studio album, A Quien Quiera Escuchar (Spanish for “To Those Who Want to Listen”), the Puerto Rican singer songwriter has successfully modernized the Latin pop genre with classy, smoldering ballads infused with a wide range of complementary musical styles.
Martin first revolutionized Latin pop with his 1999 single “Livin’ la Vida Loca,” which helped bring the genre to the attention of U.S. audiences. His newest LP transforms the genre once again, incorporating a multitude of diverse musical styles and elements into existing Latin pop to produce an innovative and contemporary charm.
The album starts off with the powerful, beat-driven “Adiós,” which leaves a lasting first impression. This dance track explodes with a heavy rhythmic beat and a catchy chorus. Composed of lyrics in Spanish, English, and French, “Adiós” exemplifies Martin’s new worldview and contemporary style.
The album’s second dance anthem, “La Mordidita,” boasts a much heavier Latino influence while managing to remain equally catchy and inspiring. Featuring Latin rapper Yotuel Romero, the track presents an infectious, fast-paced rhythm perfect for getting everyone moving at any fiesta. Meanwhile, the soulful lyrics and smooth grace of the album’s most prominent slower track, “Matáme Otra Vez,” elegantly combine a rich, jazzy rhythm with electronic elements of EDM and dubstep to produce a passionate and driving sound.
Sadly, though, the majority of the album’s tracks lack any signature appeal that might otherwise set them apart from one another. Despite their uniformity, Martin’s captivating and confident vocals nevertheless empower even these tracks to convey a deeply sincere emotional vulnerability throughout. Despite many tracks’ failure to stand out, the album’s few diamonds in the rough successfully rise to distinction. The LP more than lives up to its name—bringing fresh, multicultural sounds and dance-worthy Latin beats to anyone who wants to listen.
Voice’s Choices: “Adiós,” “Natural Pearl”
