Viva La Musik

Jowell & Randy were already celebrated reggaetoneros well before 2020’s “Safaera” made them globally ubiquitous. Neither old-school pioneers nor fresh-faced new jacks, the duo yielded such potent output in the 2010s that it not only made them an inspiration for the genre’s current stars, but it also primed them for newfound relevance. After Viva el Perreo exhibited the raucous spirit of past classics in an irresistible contemporary context, they quickly became go-to guests for countless other Latin artists.

On their follow-up Viva La Musik, that vibrant energy persists even as their musical tastes broaden. Deeply enamored with island vibes, they deliver breezy cuts like the salsa fusion “No Me Quisiste” and the inventive “Natural.” Those craving perreo throwbacks have plenty to appreciate as well, particularly on the tempo-shifting “Rompiendola.” Like its predecessor, the album deploys a multigenerational mix of enlisted artists to further Jowell & Randy’s artistic ambitions, from modern hitmakers Rauw Alejandro and Dei V to icons Nicky Jam and Zion & Lennox. Puerto Rican reggae stalwarts Cultura Profética take the duo down a rootsy route for “Lágrimas,” while Colombian DJ/producer Victor Cardenas helps set the dance floor ablaze on “Miami.”