

Guerra De Poder brings all of the boot-stomping exhilaration of Calibre 50's live shows into the studio. It's also a master class in vivid norteño storytelling. While the quartet's raucous performances still draw you in, their sharply detailed lyrics are more engrossing than ever, conjuring real-life dramas full of surprisingly emotional twists. The cheerful bounce of the title cut hides a chillingly poetic look at small-town violence. And even the band's graceful ballads are unexpectedly gripping this time out, especially the poignant exploration of a migrant's struggles on "Corrido De Juanito."