In the span of just over an hour, global superstar Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, more commonly known as Bad Bunny, takes his loyal fans on a journey through the ups and downs of his life with his sophomore album, “YHLQMDLG.” This acronym means “Yo hago lo que me da la gana,” or “I do what I want” in English. Each song builds upon this conclusion, and it is clear nothing was out of place when Bad Bunny released his work on Feb. 29, 2020.

Since the release of his debut studio album “X 100PRE” in 2018, Bad Bunny has become a sensation, with that album charting 62 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 200 albums. Expectations of “YHLQMDLG” were anything but low coming after such success in his first year as an artist, and the reality is anything but a disappointment.

Even though Bad Bunny has a very clear and defined style, each track has something unique to offer while still being cohesive. For example, many songs include themes around heartbreak, but they take different approaches to attack all of his feelings and offer something to listen to in all different states of mind. 

From the mature nature of “Pero ya no” to the bitter goodbye he recounts in “Si Veo a Tu Mama,” there is no doubt Bad Bunny has had his fair share of life experience. He makes himself accessible to everyone and isn’t afraid to show his skills, even if that means breaking his norm or doing the unexpected. He does what he wants. In this way I think he breaks out of his shell more than his first album and has grown as an artist, making this his best work yet.

Reggeaton is definitely on the rise and Bad Bunny is taking advantage. He makes music to fit this genre, but he doesn’t shy from bending the rules. He uses a perfect mix of the typical Caribbean beats and hip-hop flow, but also includes unique elements of R&B. His deep, smooth voice allows him to conquer the world of trap music as well as be a master of rhythm.

This album’s versatility is evident. If looking for an upbeat song that gives off happy energy, I would recommend a song like “25/8.” In this track, he goes into the working aspect of fame, and he acknowledges himself for all the effort he puts into his music. On the other side of the spectrum, “<3” offers a relaxing experience as a way to close out the album. With this slower song, it isn’t exactly what I was expecting, but it was what I needed.

Overall, the most unique aspect of this album is its ability to show off all of Bad Bunny’s talents and stories without straying from his central purpose. Even with all the variety, each song flows to the next seamlessly. Personally, I was afraid of being let down after falling so hard for Bad Bunny’s first album. However, without a doubt, I truly had nothing to worry about.