Becky G – BARAJA BENDITA (Album Review)

I guess it was in the cards for us to get a new Becky G album with a little something for everybody.

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TOP 5

5. PATRONA

I really like how this song taps into Becky G’s background. “PATRONA” feels deeply rooted in Mexican culture while still maintaining infectious club energy. Becky comes through incredibly confident here, fully embracing the role of “la PATRONA.”

I’m a big fan of the “I am that girl” energy we get from Becky, mainly because of how she absolutely owns it.

4. BANDERA BLANCA

“BANDERA BLANCA” is one of the softer tracks on the album. It starts almost like a ballad, then eases into a soft beat with some reggae influence. The song focuses on the love, pain, arguments, and intimacy that come with a complicated relationship.

I really like the sensual vibe here. It’s the kind of track that makes you want to move your hips, even if the relationship you’re in is on its way to hell.

3. AUTOMATICO

“AUTOMATICO” is more upbeat, bringing back the urban sound Becky G usually leans into. The beat and bass immediately get you moving, while the song keeps that sensual energy I enjoy from her music. It’s very much an “I see you everywhere, feel you everywhere, need you” type of song, focusing heavily on desire and attraction.

At this point in the album, I’m really starting to enjoy Becky incorporating English into a Spanish-language project. It’s not new for her, but it’s definitely new for me to appreciate this much.

2. MAL TIEMPO

Okayyy, we got some merengue in here, too?

You might be picking up on the pattern by now. I really liked the softer moments on this album because they give Becky’s voice more space to breathe and shine. Then “MAL TIEMPO” comes through with merengue, and as a Dominican, I’m automatically paying attention. I honestly didn’t expect one of my core genres to make an appearance here, so that was a nice surprise. This is definitely a grab-your-partner-and-dance type of record.

1. EPA

“EPA” was a song I ended up enjoying a lot more than I expected. The repetition wasn’t my favorite when I first heard it, but it definitely grew on me. There’s a really fun club energy here, mixing reggaeton with some almost dembow-like vibes. I particulary like how the “epa, epa, epa” hook gives the song that baddie, feel-good energy that makes you want to show up and show out. I also love how the verses bring different vibes while still fitting together naturall

SONG-BY-SONG RATING

5’5 (3.5/5)

CNTRL (4/5)

+PRETTY (4/5)

OASIS (4/5)

CHULA (4/5)

MAL TIEMPO (4.5/5)

FACTOS (4/5)

TQM/ILY (4/5)

UNSEND (4/5)

BANDERA BLANCA (4/5)

PERREO TRISTE (4/5)

AUTOMATICO (4.5/5)

EPA (4.5/5)

2AM (4/5)

MARATHON (feat. elkan) (3.5/5)

GLITCH (4/5)

PATRONA (4/5)

RGM RATING

(B-)

Becky G is a young Mexican-American artist whose career extends far beyond music. As a singer, songwriter, and actress, she represents the Latin community across different spaces, incorporating our language and culture into English-speaking media through bilingual lyrics, Latino representation in American films, and more. That approach is reflected throughout her fifth studio album, BARAJA BENDITA.

If I’m being honest, I didn’t expect to like this album as much as I did. I’ve never been Becky G’s biggest fan, and I’ve always had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the “Spanglish” representation in media aimed at Latino audiences. But, long story short, I actually enjoyed this album. It’s an album that I can absolutely see doing well on the radio or finding a home in party and club mixes.