Bad Bunny, Las Que No Iban a Salir | Album Review 💿

Bad Bunny follows up his highly successful sophomore LP, YHLQMDLG, with an enjoyable, surprise album, Las Que No Iban a Salir.

YHLQMDLG = Definitely a big deal.  YHLQMDLG, of course, being the successful sophomore album by Bad Bunny (Benito Martinez Ocasio). Despite the continued success on the charts with the album, Ocasio released a surprise album, Las Que No Iban a Salir (The Ones That Were Not Coming Out), on Mother’s Day 2020.  Finished in just two days, Las Que No Iban a Salir may not be as accomplished as YHLQMDLG is, but it’s another well-rounded project from the Puerto Rican Urbano Latino artist.

“Si Ella Sale”

“Because if she goes out / All her friends go out / In the disco they are hot… / One is silent, the other is really crazy… / Pills and they kiss each other on the mouth.”  Translations are imperfect, but the gist of Las Que No Iban a Salir opener “Si Ella Sale” (“If She Goes Out”) is pretty clear and certainly wild. The ‘main girl’ (who comes/goes out) is ‘bad to the bone,’ so much so that Bad Bunny later asserts, “I have permission to fuck her / I fucked her on the 37th, heh / It can be heard from the first floor.”  Well, holy cannoli! Anyways, “Si Ella Sale” is short but sweet, clocking in under two-and-a-half-minutes.  Set in a minor key, “Si Ella Sale’ is sleekly produced, courtesy of Ronny J.   

“Más de Una Cita” (“More Than One Date”) follows, featuring Zion and Lennox. Slightly longer, “Más de Una Cita” is still tight, just surpassing three minutes in duration. Produced by Tainy and Jota Rosa, the production features lovely synths and possesses a warm sound.  Worth noting, “Más de Una Cita” contrasts “Si Ella Sale” by embracing the reggaeton sound, something that’s later referenced lyrically. It also contrasts the minor key of the opener, opting for major.  Following the intro by Bad Bunny, Zion delivers the chorus (“And to make her fall in love /One needs more than one date…”), Lennox contrasts both performers on the first verse. Bunny is both agile and assertive on the second verse as he asserts, “[She’s] an exclusive girl, she doesn’t stick with just anyone.” Zion performs the colorful third and final verse – “Look at her, she wants them to play reggaetón / She doesn’t trust any bastard anymore / She put a padlock on her heart…” – before delivering the final chorus of this winner.

“Bye Me Fui”

“Say goodbye to your best option / Bye, I left, I left.” On “Bye Me Fui” (“Bye I Left”), Bad Bunny is tired of not being her top option, even if he knows he’s her best option. Therefore, he’s left… “Bye Me Fui” is another ‘tight’ cut that just misses the three-minute mark.  Produced by Subelo NEO and Hazen, the record features lush sounding production comprised of warm and robust keyboards and a great beat.  The beat anchors the production but doesn’t dominate or overpower it.  Here, the ‘tired’ Bunny delivers beautiful, expressive vocals, not to mention some intriguing lyrics, such as, “If you are my goddess, I’ll make you a cult / But you got used to the insults…”

“Canción Con Yandel” (“Song with Yandel”) naturally features Yandel, who plays a sizable role.  Once more, the production, this time by Nesty, is a selling point.  Maybe the biggest selling point is Yandel, who delivers a smooth vocal performance.  The melody on the chorus is absolutely superb. Lyrically, he depicts something of a tumultuous relationship, with atonement courtesy of the bedroom:

“But she gets jealous of me for everything, she’s a pain about everything
She fights about everything, about everything
Sometimes I don’t even put up with her, but in the bedroom
We fuck, and we fix everything.”

Hmm, seems like Kehlani said something similar on “F&MU”.  Anyways, Yandel dominates the opening portion of the song (intro, chorus, first verse, and chorus) before Bad Bunny contrasts on the second verse with more agile, biting vocals, with successful results – the expectation, of course.

“Pa’ Romperla” 

The excellence of Las Que No Iban a Salir continues with the naughty “Pa’ Romperla” featuring reggaeton veteran Don Omar.  Another production by Tainy, the sound of “Pa’ Romperla” is a vibe, period.  That vibe, of course, is party centric, with the bedroom as the ultimate destination.  Omar sings, on the first verse, “We’re going to drink, we’re going to smoke, a song to fuck to…”  At least that’s the English translation.  As for Bad Bunny, he confirms the sexual aspect throughout the second verse, asserting, “I’m giving it to her as her boyfriend watches Jordan” and “With me, your girl gets horny…” “Pa’ Romperla!”

Next, Bad Bunny gets “Bad Con Nicky,” assisted by another Latin superstar, Nicky Jam.  The Chris Jeday, Gaby Music, and Nino-produced record confirms that her boyfriend shouldn’t bother to call anymore.  Why? Nicky and Bad Bunny do ‘it’ better, basically.  The outro says it all: “Now she doesn’t want to stop.” It’s interesting that a more uplifting record like “Bendiciones” (“Blessings”) follows. Produced by Chris Jeday, Gaby Music, and Tainy, the record sounds bright and enthusiastic – all positive vibes: “God, protect the kids and the old people / The nurses and the doctors / And Puerto Rico from the hurricanes and earthquakes / I have faith that better days will come.” Honestly, “Bendiciones” could’ve earned a spot on Songs That Capture & Embody the Pandemic, Vol. 2, like “En Casita” further down the track list.  Short but sweet, “Bendiciones” runs just past two-and-a-half minutes.

“Cómo Se Siente (Remix)”

Thoughtful Bad Bunny only lasts so long. That’s why it’s not surprising when sex returns full throttle on “Cómo Se Siente (Remix)” (“How Do You Feel”). “Cómo Se Siente (Remix)” brings in Jhay Cortez who performs on the second verse, as well as partially performs on the pre-chorus, chorus, and bridge sections.  Both artists ask, “How do you feel, how do you feel? / When I’m inside of you…” Obvious what they’re referencing, of course.  On the brief penultimate record, “Ronca Freestyle,” Benito has no shortage of confidence.  Even though he knows he’s lit, he does assert towards the end, “And all that I have is because Christ has given it to me, amen, ayy.”

“En Casita” 

“En Casita” (“At Home”) concludes Las Que No Iban a Salir as the 10^th and final track.  Furthermore, it features his girlfriend, Gabriela.  The song was specifically mentioned in the colorful Billboard article, 7 Times Bad Bunny Went a Hare Too Far During Quarantine.  Of the song, columnist Jessica Roiz stated: “The Puerto Rican singer dropped a Coronavirus-inspired song called ‘En Casita.’ In the improvised trap song, which was recorded on his iPhone and uploaded to Soundcloud, Bunny penned all of his feelings during the quarantine.”

Interestingly, remove the Spanish from the song, and “En Casita” sounds like any other trap-oriented hip-hop record.  JR definitely serves up a sleek, enthusiastic backdrop.  Speaking of enthusiasm, Bad Bunny has plenty of it with his signature energetic vocal delivery, something that Gabriela matches.  The premise is simple – Bunny speaks on the effects the virus has had on everyday life. He references quarantine and ‘stay at home’ orders, as well as social distancing.  One of the most colorful moments occurs on the second verse, where he asserts (translated in English), “I want the virus to go away like Roselló.” “En Casita” was featured on Songs That Capture & Embody the Pandemic, Vol. 2.

Final Thoughts 

With Las Que No Iban a Salir, Bad Bunny has done it again.  This is another entertaining album from the Puerto Rican standout.  Yes, the coronavirus has affected everything, but one thing that can assuage to an extent is music.  Las Que No Iban a Salir = worthwhile quarantine album.  

Gems: “Si Ella Sale,” “Más de Una Cita,” “Pa’ Romperla,” “Bendiciones” & “En Casita” 

Bad Bunny • Las Que No Iban a Salir • Rimas Entertainment • Release: 5.10.20

Photo Credits: Rimas Entertainment