J Balvin, Colores | Album Review 💿

Columbian reggaeton superstar J Balvin delivers a brief but totally entertaining and ‘colorful’ sixth studio album, Colores.

Latin music saw a substantial uptick in popularity in the United States beginning in the second half of the 2010s.  Among its most popular artists include Bad Bunny, Maluma, and J Balvin.  Balvin has been ubiquitous to be honest, collaborating with fellow Latin artists (Bad Bunny, ROSALÎA, etc.) as well as non-exclusive Latin artists (Beyoncé, Cardi B, and Liam Payne).  As awesome as his many collaborations are, his sixth studio album, Colores, is all about him.  That’s also true to the extent that the 10-song album, comprised of song titles of colors in Spanish, only features two collaborations.  The results are positive, all in all.

“Amarillo”

J Balvin initiates Colores with the brief but potent “Amarillo” (“Yellow”).  “Amarillo” features colorful production work, courtesy of DJ Snake, Sky Rompiendo, and Afro Bros. That ‘colorful production’ includes a knocking beat, which anchors things down.  The premise of “Amarillo?” Carefree fun – having a good time.  Indeed, the first color song of Colores is pretty colorful – quite yellow!

Follow up “Azul” (“Blue”) runs nearly longer, but sill clocks in at a reasonable three-and-a-half minutes in duration. There’s nothing ‘blue’ as in sad about “Azul.” No, J Balvin is focused on ‘temperature,’ and we’re not talking about Celsius or Fahrenheit.  With Sky Rompiendo remaining behind the production chair, with the addition of Michael Brun, Balvin sells the sexy, beached-out vibes of the record well.

“Rojo” 

With “Amarillo” and “Azul” serving as a compelling opening duo on Colores, ✓ “Rojo” (“Red”) earns honors among the crème de la crème.  Like “Amarillo,” it’s brief, but that doesn’t inhibit its success in the least.  J Balvin sings incredibly smoothly here, painting the Sky Rompiendo / Taiko production absolutely beautifully.  The tone of the record itself is sensual, as Balvin sings about his strong desires to be with her.  The music video provides a much different, tragic narrative.  Even so, the tragic narrative, which involves J Balvin’s character’s death, fits the bloody ‘red’ concept.

The desire and sex are ripe on ✓ “Rosa” (“Pink”). Diplo helps to magnify this with his marvelous, moody production work, which proves to be a perfect fit for J Balvin. Essentially, Balvin simply can’t seem to control himself. “I go crazy when you rub against me,” he sings on the first verse, mentioning “Insatiable desire,” on the second, as well as mentioned the end result of “A couple of drinks…” The chorus of this standout roughly translates to “No one compares… To me, you are the most beautiful, you are on another level.”

“Morado” 

On “Morado” (“Purple”), J Balvin’s girl seems to be quite wild to say the least.  “I ordered a drink, and she ordered the whole botte,” he sings on the chorus, characterizing her personality.  That personality translates into the bedroom as well – shocker.  Ultimately, it’s another enjoyable, sexy track from Colores.

“You already awoke the beast / Pass the hard drive, here I have a tera…” ✓ “Verde” (“Green”) is attributed to both J Balvin and Sky [Rompiendo] – one of the few collaborative moments of Colores.  That said, Sky has been on the production end of Colores in numerous instances. Sky performs the first verse, first chorus, and provides Balvin with some ad-libs during his respective verse and chorus.  Another short but sweet number, “Verde” serves up a fun, partying, and unsurprisingly, a sexual vibe.

Following the L-I-T “Verde,” ✓ “Negro” (“Black”) exhibits no letdown whatsoever.  Produced by Dee Mad and King Doudou, J Balvin truly has some sickness (as in a sick backdrop) to work with.  Like “Verde,” Balvin embraces more of a ‘hip-hop’ approach within the Latino Urbano style, considering this is a less melodic record.  Narratively, Balvin paints the picture of a girl that’s bad – as in badass or ‘Bad to the Bone.’  “Shake it, ayy, there’s sand on you / Shake it ayy, ayy, there’s sand on you / Throw it down, mami, don’t be shy…”

“Gris”

J Balvin returns to his melodic side on the smooth, chill “Gris” (“Gray”).  Girls have been the focal point of Colores lyrically, and “Gris” is no exception. Balvin concerns himself with satisfying her, and her demands seem to be nearly impossible to meet.  A prime example occurs on the second verse, when Balvin asserts, “The fight that she doesn’t win is a tie,” meaning, she never loses and is never wrong.  “Arcoíris” (“Rainbow”), the penultimate record, gives J the only other collaboration on Colores – he’s paired with Mr. Eazi on this enjoyable Brun/Rompiendo-produced joint.  If you guessed a three-letter-word plays a sizable role, well, you’d be totally correct.  The results are positive, nonetheless.

“To any net I score (goal) / Like Cristiano Ronaldo / Throw me the beat that I deliver (pew, pew) / Hands up, this is an assault / This is not mass, but I came in white…” Electrifying to say the least! Balvin concludes Colores with the fiery banger, ✓ “Blanco” (“White”). “Blanco” shines thanks to its hip-hop sensibilities (again, within the Urbano Latino umbrella).  The production by Sky/ Dee Mad is minimalist yet potent, while Balvin never has any shortage of swagger, let alone sex appeal.  Exhibit A: “For real, made in Medellín, eh / I give it to you without you having to ask for it.”

Final Thoughts

All in all, J Balvin delivers a well-rounded, enjoyable, and most of all, ‘colorful’ album with Colores.  Will Colores change your life or perspective after listening to it? Probably not, but. If you are a fan of Latin music, particularly Urbano Latino and reggaeton, Colores is definitely your lane.  Furthermore, if you enjoy your Latin music sexy, well, J has you undressed – I meant fully covered 😉. 

✓ Gems: “Rojo,” “Rosa,” “Verde,” “Negro” & “Blanco” 

J Balvin • Colores • Universal Music Latino / UMG • Release: 3.19.20

Photo Credits: Universal Music Latino / UMG