J Balvin's 'Rayo': All 15 Songs Ranked

“Bajo y Batería”, or bass and drums, lives up to its name, offering a powerful mix that highlights the power of these two instruments that builds a compelling musical foundation from start to finish. Over a mesmerizing melody, Balvin sings of a seductive woman he can't resist. It may not be a standout song on the album, but the story keeps you on the edge of your seat.

A dynamic nod to old school reggaetón, “Swat” features rising Puerto Rican star Luar La L, capturing the genre's raw and explosive essence. The duo deliver aggressive lyrics full of braggadocio and grit, as showcased in standout lines like “Dresses de negro como si somos el swat.” The track creates a bombastic and electric atmosphere, highlighting their lyrical prowess while matching the gritty spirit of early reggaetón.

One song that doesn't shy away from sexuality, Bad Gyal-featuring “Gato,” finds both artists singing about perreo and sex—a somewhat recurring theme on the album—over a classic reggaetón drum beat. The dynamic between the Colombian star and the Spanish singer works both lyrically and vocally and gives them a chance to shine together and separately.

While Balvin dabbles in Afrobeats and EDM throughout the album, he mostly sticks to the purest form of reggaetón, including “La Noche” with Puerto Rican singer Dei V – a song about flirting, perreo and sex. “The night's for getting up, she's blowing me smoke with her mouth/ That's what happens when she calls me, I got her over and she's gone crazy,” they sing on the chorus of this club-ready track.

Balvin joined one of the genre's OGs for “Polvo de tu Vida,” an eerie, sci-fi-inspired, old-school reggaetón banger that has a catchy and passionate hook. “Soy el polvo de tu vida, esta noche no se olvida,” they sing on the track – which guarantees they're having the best sex ever. Backing up its sensual track and lyrics is a futuristic music video that hints at a dystopian theme.

Produced by Hear This Music (also featuring Mambo Kingz and DJ Luian), “En Alta” is an infectious electro-trap fusion that exudes nothing but good vibes and is surrounded by positive people. “We're still on top/ Everybody in the middle, I don't want no fake people/ We're better than yesterday, thank God/ Today there's a party on the roof, we're chillin',” goes the chorus. The song—recorded in collaboration with newcomers Quevedo, Omart Courtz and YOVNGCHIMI—marked Balvin's return to music after a 10-month hiatus from social media.

Paying homage to old school reggaetón, Balvin manages to be innovative on this collaboration with Zion (of Zion & Lennox). The lyrics talk about an attractive woman living her life carefree. “Lobo” is a catchy reggaetón jam that will undoubtedly remain on repeat for many listeners.

Electronic music fused with Latin is almost certain to result in a bang, as both global genres have proven to work well together in the past. “Gaga”—featuring Spanish reggaetón and trap singer Saiko—is a club-ready track that thrives on electronic headbangs, further fueling the EDM/Latin dynamic.

Throughout his album, Balvin encourages artists to step out of their comfort zones. Reggaetón singers Castro and Blessd – who represent the new generation of Medellín hitmakers – are no exception here. The two drop their in-your-face reggaetón they're known for to team up with Balvin on this dance track, with a hypnotic tune that draws you in instantly.

Set to a hard reggaetón beat, 'Gangster' spins a lively and romantic narrative around an enchanting night. The song delves into a one-night stand with a hot gangster girl whose charm captivates everyone, winning admiration even from women. With vocal embellishments setting the tone from the get-go, the track captures a playful chase and tug of war, showcasing her remarkable assets and irresistible allure.

Balvin brings out his romantic side and dives into a sultry Afrobeats track on “3 Noches.” Over a slow and sensual base, the Colombian expresses how difficult days have become after being dumped by a girl. With soft vocal tones, he tries to get her attention and convince her to come back to him soon. The sweet song has the potential to become a favorite on this album.

Balvin and Feid's bromance continues to solidify on “Doblexxo,” the pair's latest collaboration after a string of tracks together including “Que Raro,” “Bebé Que Bien Te Ves,” and “Porfa (Remix),” for to name a few. With a distorted perreo melody, the track is representative of Medallo's intense nightlife. In “Doblexxo” (which loosely translates to “double” and is spelled in true Ferxxo fashion), the Colombian brothers encourage women to ignore men who are no good to them and instead go out with their friends.

A fast, hard reggaetón track combined with futuristic synth beats set the tone for “Cosa de Locos”. In the lyrics, Balvin is confused as to when the girl he used to hook up with changed. “What happened? What put you off?/ Don't tell me it's been since your sister got married/ Or your mom threatened you […] tell them you got no heart/ And that we did it dancing, it was crazy,” he croons on the infectious track.

With a sensual delivery, J Balvin perfectly integrates his signature Colombian reggaetón style with a laid-back, undulating groove. Steeped in romance and smooth beats, this track showcases his lyrical prowess as he fends off rumors and declares a mutual fate in the chorus:Lo que digan de ti, lo que digan de mi, es puro chisme, es pura mentira, tu naciste pa' mi, yo nací pa' ti”, combining heartfelt lyrics with infectious beats.

As soon as you see Carín León's name, you probably think it's going to be another regional Mexican-urban collaboration. But, you'll be pleasantly surprised that it isn't. Balvin and León are not so predictable here and place all bets on a track full of Afrobeats. The artists – who linked up at Coachella earlier this year – join their melodic vocals to bring “Stoker” to life, a heart-tugging track – which begins with acoustic guitars and then moves to a tropical beat – to become almost obsessive with a girl who has clearly moved on. Come for the star power, stay for the narrative as León and Balvin deliver some of the best lyrics on this album.