While Afrodisiaco is reggaetonero Rauw Alejandro's studio debut album for Sony, it is actually the second long-player he issued in 2020. In September, Alejandro independently released Concierto Virtual en Tiempos de COVID-19 Desde el Coliseo de Puerto Rico, that peaked at number ten on the Top Latin Albums chart and guaranteed Afrodisiaco at least a measure of success upon release. Alejandro is a breakout star. Shortly before this album's release, he was nominated for a Latin Grammy in the Best New Artist category. Further, three of this set's 16 tracks were advanced as singles; all charted inside the Top 20, including the chart-topping "Tattoo" with Camilo, "De Cora <3" with J Balvin, and "Reloj" with Anuel AA. Afrodisiaco is a collaboration-heavy affair: Only five of its 16 cuts were performed by Alejandro solo. They include the killer opener "Dile a El," a midtempo heartbreak ballad set to a ferocious reggaeton beat, and the R&B-tinged trap of "Enchule," with its anthemic chorus. The rest is a star-studded affair with more than a few righteous surprises including "U Sueño," a brittle yet seductive (and bilingual) collaboration with breakout trap artist Trippie Redd. "Mood" (feat. Sech), is a slippery, seductive urbano jam with entwined vocals, layered beats, and lush atmospherics. "Pensadote" is a sultry midtempo collaboration with Tainy, while the dramatic club banger "No Te Creo" places Alejandro's sweet tenor framed by Wisin Yandel's and Mr. Naisgai's urgent rapping. The tropical cinematic urbano on "Quimica" features vocal appearances from Zion Lennox and the Martinez Brothers. Perhaps the set's biggest surprise is "Soy Una Gargola." It's a remake of the 2004 Puerto Rican reggaeton smash by Randy Nota Loca (of Jowell Randy fame), that features the original artist and Arcangel, complete with an array of imaginative 21st century beats and sonics. The set also includes a fine remix of "Elegi" featuring Farruko, Dimelo Flow, Justin Quiles, Sech, and Anuel AA, and closes with a remix of the steamy chart-topping single "Tattoo" with Camilo. There is a pronounced and consistent vibe on Afrodisiaco; it juxtaposes elegantly layered atmospherics and innovative beats against catchy melodies set in middling tempos. The album's production vibe is carefully articulated to underscore the painstaking detail applied to the sequencing of exceptionally well-written songs. When assembled, they deliver a rich and seamless listening experience. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi

1		Dile a El
2		Strawberry Kiwi
3		Mood
4		Química
5		Enchule
6		De Cora <3
7		Un Sueño
8		Reloj
9		No Te Creo
10		Soy Una Gargola
11		Pensándote
12		Perreo Pesau'
13		Algo Mágico
14		Ponte Pa' Mi
15		Elegí
16		Tattoo