9.0

GENRE: Rap/Reggaeton
YEAR OF RELEASE: 2025

The air of a Puerto Rican summer—humid, vibrant, fleeting—seems to pulse through every note of Debí Tirar Más Fotos. If on his previous record, Nadie Sabie Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, Bad Bunny had gone global, collecting influences on sounds and themes that could land anywhere on the planet, on his sixth solo album, he returns home and captures the rhythms of his homeland, grounding listeners in its streets, its struggles, and its beauty. Yes, it’s anchored in reggaeton like all of his past records, but it’s enriched by Puerto Rico’s diverse musical influences, framed with both pride and urgency. Bad Bunny’s decision to release Debí Tirar Más Fotos on January 5th—a Sunday—feels deliberate, aligning with a week steeped in Puerto Rican tradition and history. From Día de los Reyes to the echoes of revolutionary movements like el Grito de Lares in 1868, this period symbolizes resistance and the fight for cultural identity.

Opening track, “NUEVAYoL,” draws on this legacy, connecting past struggles to the present-day experiences of Puerto Ricans at home and abroad. The track starts with a sample of El Gran Combo’s 1975 salsa classic “Un Verano en Nueva York” before transitioning into a pounding blend of Dominican dembow and modern reggaeton—a bold opening for the record, especially when compared to the more understated tones of its predecessor. The song pays homage to the Puerto Rican diaspora, reflecting on Nuyoricans’ cultural impact, tying it to the larger story of preserving identity amidst change and the dangers of culture erasure. But it also asserts Benito’s sense of humor; how will he become the king of pop? Mixing reggaeton and dembow while getting the girl James Bond style, he says.

This balance of honoring the past while analyzing the present and embracing the future runs throughout the album. Take tracks like “EL CLúB,” where he fuses house music with plena to create something both nostalgic and forward-looking. Benito has flirted with house music before: both “El Apagón” and “Neverita,” from 2022’s Un Verano Sin Ti, carried beats that evoked the 90s house era. But “EL CLúB” doesn’t just nod to the genre—it fully embraces it, reimagining it even. Lyrically, the song captures the heartbreak and vulnerability hidden beneath the surface of a euphoric night out, a theme mirrored by the beat dying down as the song transitions into a more melancholic space, as if the night is ending. “¿Qué estará haciendo mi ex?/Que hace tiempo por ahí no se ve/¿Será que ya me superó y le va bien?” he ponders, emphasizing how the past tense on Debí Tirar Más Fotos stretches both close and far.

At its core, Debí Tirar Más Fotos is a meditation on memory. The title, translating to “I Should Have Taken More Photos,” reflects a longing to hold onto fleeting moments. This theme resonates most deeply on the acronym-ed title-track, “DtMF,” a song that delivers its message of longing and regret over a catchy hook and a danceable beat, ensuring that even the record’s weightiest themes are fowarded with a lightness. Then there’s “TURiSTA,” a bolero that juxtaposes a tourist’s temporary pleasures with the enduring struggles of local residents. The contrast is striking, underscoring the tensions of gentrification and cultural commodification. Bad Bunny’s lyrics cut through with precision, offering not just commentary but a heartfelt perspective.

There’s plenty of joy here too. Tracks like “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” featuring a live salsa orchestra, and “PIToRRO DE COCO” burst with energy, bringing Puerto Rican traditions to the forefront, turning Debí Tirar Más Fotos into a cultural artifact. These celebratory moments don’t just stand alone; they reinforce the album’s larger narrative, reminding listeners of the richness of the island’s culture even as it faces external pressures. Bad Bunny’s collaborative choices amplify this, with features like Los Pleneros de la Cresta on “Café con Ron” adding authenticity and depth.

The album’s most poignant moment, though, comes with “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii,” a song that blends jíbaro melodies with modern synths to explore the parallels between Puerto Rico and Hawaii. Bad Bunny paints a vivid picture of the consequences of assimilation, offering simultaneously a warning and a plea for preservation. It’s a track that encapsulates the album’s dual purpose: to celebrate and to protect. Debí Tirar Más Fotos is as personal as it is political. Each song carries weight, but none feel heavy; the album’s energy and pacing keep it dynamic and engaging without diluting its identity and intent. This is music from an artist who studied, who took upon themselves the task of paying homage to the past while looking firmly ahead. The result is a very bright present tense for música urbana.

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