MIAMI - Mexican superstar Peso Pluma's new album, "Éxodo", one of the most anticipated productions of the year, is finally out. Considering how his career took off in 2023, maybe we should say was the most anticipated record in Latin music for 2024.
"Éxodo" delivers in quality and quantity. The album has 24 songs, 16 mexicanas and 8 urban, with huge names like Quavo, Cardi B, and DJ Snake lending it some serious street cred. The production and the mixing are impeccable. It is, no doubt, a big contender for the 2025 Grammys and Latin Grammys.
However, Peso Pluma had promised a much "darker" album, with experimental twists that would reveal "why we do what we do" in his music. That, he didn't achieve. It's easy to understand why the final product feels more of the same, with a side of hip-hop and rap. In short, La Doble P didn't go far enough.
The songs in Peso Pluma's fourth album
Éxodo is a double album divided into two very different parts. The first one keeps him anchored in his signature corridos tumbados, with interesting duos with other established artists of the Mexican music subgenre, such as Luis R Conriquez, Natanael Cano, and Junior H. Tracks like "La Durango" and "Sr. Smith" reflect his characteristic style with rich instrumental backgrounds of requintos, tubas, and trombones.
"Vino Tinto," the single promoting the album featuring Cano and Gabito Ballesteros delves in the well-known topics of betrayal from friends and self-aggrandizing. As fans already know thanks previous collaborations, their voices work well together, and the song will no doubt become a fan favorite.
The second part of the album goes into more urban and Latin genres, incorporating trap and hip-hop elements. Here, Peso Pluma collaborates with international stars such as Cardi B, Quavo, and Rich the Kid, showcasing his rap skills on tracks like "Put Em in the Fridge" and "Pa no pensar."
Peso Pluma is growing up
The collaborative nature of Éxodo is one of its strengths. Peso Pluma successfully brings together a variety of artists across different genres, creating a rich mix of sounds. For instance, his collaboration with Ivan Cornejo on "Reloj" stands out for its emotional depth and departure from the typical bravado of corridos. Similarly, tracks with Cardi B and Quavo infuse a distinct urban flair, although Peso Pluma's attempt at rapping in English on "Put Em in the Fridge" falls somewhat flat.
This reporter found her favorite track of the album in "Batman," with very personal lyrics about the price of fame, including the weight of haters. Comic books fans will find interesting how, until his popularity blew up, Peso Pluma identified more with the intrepid Spider-Man and his more naive persona of Peter Parker. Now he feels like Bruce Wayne, the reclusive billionaire who becomes DC's Batman. The parallelisms are obvious and a clear image of how fame is affecting him. Also, it shows that,at 25 years old Emilio Kabande has grown up.
Overall, Éxodo represents a significant step in Peso Pluma's career, highlighting his versatility and willingness to experiment, even if it doesn't fully deliver on the promised "darker" and more revolutionary music. The album's mix of traditional Mexican sounds with urban, Latin, and American influences is a testament to his commitment to globalizing regional Mexican music.
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