Álvaro Díaz Moves Reggaeton Forward
RAPPER ÁLVARO Díaz has been a figure in reggaeton for years, and this year his profile got a bit of a bump when he co-wrote several tracks on Rauw Alejandro’s album Vice Versa. Díaz’s music has often been driven by alternative sounds, and lately the industry has started moving toward his eclectic aesthetic. His new album, Felicilandia, exudes a playfully mopey vision. “Babysita 3” goes from acoustic tune to experimental R&B, while “Close Friends” and “Llori Pari,” featuring Feid and Tainy, have an endearing bittersweetness — reflecting his concept for an album about “a place where sad kids can go to be happy.” JULYSSA LOPEZ