Rauw Alejandro’s latest album, “Cosa Nuestra,” represents a transformative milestone in his career. Released on Nov. 15, 2024, the concept of this album reflects on his evolution as an artist while also honoring his Puerto Rican heritage, particularly the migration narratives of New York’s 1960s Latin community.
Leading up to its release, Alejandro teased the album extensively on his social media platform, calling it his “most elaborate artistic project to date.” He described how the well known salsa album, “Cosa Nuestra,” by Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe inspired him to connect with his roots while mixing in modern reggaeton and pop elements.
Alejandro incorporated retro-themed visuals of mid-20th-century New York, perfectly complementing the album’s narrative focus. To build anticipation, Alejandro dropped the single “Déjame Entrar” and hinted at collaborations with notable artists like Bad Bunny and Pharrell Williams. He later excited his fans with behind the scene glimpses from his recording sessions along with interviews where he emphasized the album’s cultural significance.
Alejandro is currently on tour and during his live performances, he hinted at a 2025 world tour featuring tracts from “Cosa Nuestra.” I believe that the album stands out most with tracks like ‘Qué Pasaría’, a collaboration with Bad Bunny that combines emotional storytelling lyrics with catchy reggaeton rhythms highlights the meaning of his project.
Another song that stood out to me was “Pasaporte”. This song highlights Alejandro’s range as an artist, adding electronic and tropical rhythms into a powerful track that dives into themes of migration and identity. However, not all tracks reach the same heights as these hit songs.
I believe that the track, “Touching the Sky” lacks in the emotional resonance of the album’s stronger pieces. Although its bold use of experimental sounds and lyrics, it has been criticized as lacking in emotional resonance compared to the album’s stronger pieces.
Ultimately, “Cosa Nuestra” underlines Alejandro’s status as an artist and how he is not afraid to push boundaries and try new styles. By mixing personal storytelling with innovative soundscapes, he is not only honoring his roots but he is also redefining what reggaeton can achieve in the modern global stage. Although not every track hit the mark, this album stands out and fans as well as newcomers will find much to appreciate with this bold personal project.
