

Some two decades into a remarkable music career, Arcángel continues to log charting hits and garner award-show nominations. Playing off one of his better-known aliases, LA 8VA MARAVILLA allows the veteran Latin star to freely apply his skills as both singer and rapper to a variety of formats. Between the Balearic house vibes of “Honesto,” the merengue-coded passions of “HOY SE GUAYA,” and the throwback reggaetón grooves of “Me Dañas La Mente,” his position as a fully formed entertainer is without question. More romantic than one might anticipate, the poppy title track flips perspective to adulate a lover rather than himself, while “Ese Labial” dabbles in Jersey club rhythms to accentuate his sensual come-ons. The collaborations here, naturally, mirror his elevated status, feeling undeniably blessed alongside Daddy Yankee on “Di Amén” and duetting with Ricky Martin on the R&B-coded “Lluvia.” Yet on tracks like the balladic “Chula” with Beéle and the inventive Grupo Firme team-up “Cuánto Cuesta,” he connects with younger talents—one of the keys to his continued longevity.