J Balvin’s new album, “Rayo,” is named after his first taste of freedom: the miniature red Volkswagen Golf that would ferry him to and from his early gigs and studio sessions in his hometown of Medellín, Colombia. A dedication to those formative years, the 15-track album is built largely on Balvin’s signature rap flow and marks a new sonic return to his home turf after a three-year hiatus following 2021’s radio-friendly “Jose.”

"I'm back here, recharged, grateful and enjoying music like when I first started," Balvin, real name José Álvaro Osorio Balvín, wrote in a social media post announcing "Rayo." "I present you an album that I really enjoyed making with the greats of music and the new generations. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and feel the energy I felt when we were making it."

After establishing himself as a global star—he’s still the second-most-streamed Latin artist on Spotify—with bona fide anthems like “Mi Gente” and “I Like It,” Balvin’s latest offering draws heavily from reggaeton beats crafted by some of the genre’s most recognizable producers, including Keityn, Lexvz and DJ Luian. Balvin, meanwhile, remains a melodic and engaging vocalist, with his strongest, most compelling deliveries shining on playful tracks like “Swat” and “Cosa De Locos.”

He leaves plenty of room for newcomers, enlisting fresh talent like Blessd, Luar La L, Ryan Castro and YOVNGCHIMI for the album’s more energetic tracks. It only takes a few full listens of “Rayo” to recognize the standout “party anthems” Balvin promised to deliver back in July: “Swat,” “Ganster,” “Gaga” and “Origami.”