The Best Latin Music Albums of 2015
Here are the best Latin music albums of 2015, according to our experts.
Best Overall Latin Album
If you’re a fan of Latin music, then you’ll want to check out the best Latin albums of 2015. We’ve compiled a list of the top albums, so you can find something new to enjoy. From reggaeton to cumbia, there’s a little something for everyone. Take a look at our list and find your new favorite album!
“A Quien Quiera Escuchar” by Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin’s “A Quien Quiera Escuchar” is the best Latin album of 2015. It’s a pop singer/songwriter album with catchy beats and melodies, and its lyrics are smart and reflective. The album’s subject matter ranges from love to loss, and it’s all presented in a way that’s relatable and easy to listen to. There are also some great guest appearances, including one from J Balvin on the track “Que Prenda.”
“Hasta La Raíz” by Natalia Lafourcade
This album by Mexican singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade is a beautiful and moving collection of songs that touch on themes of love, loss, and hope. With her warm voice and talent for delivering emotional lyrics, Lafourcade creates a sound that is both intimate and universal. The album features a variety of musical styles, from traditional ballads to upbeat cumbia rhythms, making it an enjoyable and accessible listen for all fans of Latin music.
“Sueños” by Gloria Trevi
Gloria Trevi’s “Sueños” album is the best Latin album of 2015. This album is a perfect mix of pop, ballads, and dance tracks, and it showcases Trevi’s amazing vocal range. The production values are top-notch, and the album features some of Trevi’s best-loved songs, including “Por Que No Me Dejas” and “No Querias Lastimarme.” If you’re a fan of Latin music, or just want to check out some great music from another culture, “Sueños” is the perfect place to start.
Best Regional Mexican Album
The best regional Mexican album of 2015 goes to none other than “Cuatro Milpas” by Calibre 50. This album is a great example of the new wave of regional Mexican music that is sweeping the nation. It is a perfect blend of traditional Mexican sounds with a modern twist that is sure to get your feet moving.
“Ni Diablo Ni Santo” by Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda
“Ni Diablo Ni Santo” by Julión Álvarez y Su Norteño Banda is the best regional Mexican album of 2015. This album is a mix of traditional Mexican folk music and modern pop, and it features some of the best Norteño music of the year.
“Que Me Entierren Con La Banda” by Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga
Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga’s “Que Me Entierren Con La Banda” was one of the best Latin music albums of 2015. The album is a mix of traditional Mexican banda music and modern pop, and it’s perfect for anyone who wants to get a taste of Mexico’s rich musical heritage.
“Realidades 2” by Reik
This week the regional Mexican trio Reik return to the top of the Latin chart with their sixth studio album,Realidades 2. The record displaced Luis Fonsi’s Despacito at No. 1 after three weeks atop the tally.
The 12-track set includes “Tu Mirada,” a duet with Jamaican reggae artist Shaggy, as well as “Ya Me Entere,” a collaboration with Spanish singer-songwriter Malu. Realidades 2 is the group’s first album in three years and follows their 2014 release, Des amor y despedidas.
Reik formed in 2005 and is made up of Jesús Alberto Navarro Rosas, Julio Ramírez Eguía and Gilberto Marciano Santa Rosa. The band has had success with hits like “Inolvidable,” “Qué Gano Olvidándote” and “Me Niego.”
Best Tropical Album
This year’s Grammy Awards for Best Tropical Latin Album were announced on February 15, 2016 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The award was presented to Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Luis Fonsi for his album “Terra Firme.” This is Fonsi’s first Grammy win.
“Gente Valiente” by Victor Manuelle
Gente Valiente is the sixteenth studio album by Dominican-American singer Victor Manuelle. It was released on October 30, 2015, by Sony Music Latin. The album includes the singles “Tu Vicio”, “Que Suenen Los Tambores” and “Hasta Que Te Conocí”.
Critical reception
Allmusic’s AngieMartinez gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, saying “there’s no doubt that Gente Valiente is Manuelle’s best album in years.” She praised the production andmixing of the album, as well as Manuelle’s vocal performances.
“La Fantasía Hace realidad” by Gilberto Santa Rosa
Gilberto Santa Rosa’s “La Fantasía Hace realidad” is a tropical album that is the best of 2015. It has a great mix of salsa, bachata, and other Latin styles that make it a perfect album for any fan of Latin music. The album also has some great guest appearances from famous Latin musicians such as Celia Cruz and Marc Anthony.
“Retro” by Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony’s “Retro” is a return to the singer’s musical roots, growing up in New York City’s Spanish Harlem in the 1970s. The album is a collection of Anthony’s favorite salsa and Latin pop songs from that era, including hits by Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, and Ruben Blades. While paying tribute to his musical influences, Anthony also puts his own twist on the classics with fresh arrangements and new lyrics. The result is an energetic and soulful album that will make you want to get up and dance.
Best Urban Album
In the past year, Latin music has taken the world by storm. From reggaeton to cumbia, there is a Latin sound for everyone. And 2015 was a big year for Latin music, with a number of great albums being released. Here are our picks for the best Latin albums of 2015.
“Energía” by J Balvin
J Balvin’s “Energía” was one of the best Latin albums of 2015. It’s a party album that has something for everyone, with a mix of reggaeton, hip hop, and pop. The album features some of J Balvin’s biggest hits, like “Ginza” and “Ay Vamos.”
“La Familia B Sides” by A Tribe Called Quest
“La Familia B Sides” by A Tribe Called Quest is the best urban album of 2015. The album features some of the best rappers in the game, including Busta Rhymes, Kendrick Lamar, and Snoop Dogg. The beats are fresh and the lyrics are meaningful. If you’re a fan of hip hop, you need to check out this album.
“Sorpresa” by De La Ghetto
If ever an album deserved its name, it’s De La Ghetto’s tenth release, Sorpresa. The Spanish-language album from the Puerto Rican rapper was a surprise in the best sense of the word, coming as it did completely out of the blue with no advance promotion or notice. It’s also a return to form for De La Ghetto, who had moved away from reggaeton towards trap and R&B on his previous two albums. Sorpresa finds him firmly back in reggaeton territory, and the results are thrilling.
The album’s first half is devoted to straight-up reggaeton bangers, withGuest appearances from J Balvin, Cosculluela, and Farruko elevate already strong tracks like “Caliente” and “Tu Te Imaginas,” but it’s on the second half of the album where De La Ghetto really shines. “Tres Tristes Tigres,” a collaboration with Colombian singer Maluma, is a gorgeous ballad that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Latin pop radio station. And “Dile a El,” which features De La Ghetto rapping over a classic salsa sample, is simply fun. But the best track on the album is “DaWAYNE,” which finds De La Ghetto going in an entirely different direction: EDM. The track is produced by French DJ/producer Mosel, and it sounds like nothing else on urban radio right now. It’s a bold move that pays off handsomely, and it proves that De La Ghetto is an artist who is always willing to take risks. That willingness to experiment is what makes Sorpresa one of the best urban albums of 2015.
