Not many artists have made the kind of impact that Bad Bunny has made over the last several years. He has quickly become one of the most important artists of his generation, and many would say that he is already one of the most impactful artists of all time. Bad Bunny has transcended language and genre barriers in a way that not many artists in the past have been able to do. He turned Reggaeton into one of the most successful genres in music and has helped integrate it into the music of artists worldwide. In 2020, Bad Bunny was the first non-English speaking artist to be the most streamed person on Spotify, and in 2022, he broke the record for the most streams of an artist in a single year in the history of the platform at 18.5 billion(which is an absurd number, by the way). Bad Bunny has always been known for incorporating multiple different sounds and styles of music into Reggaeton, creating awesome fusions that most people did not think were possible previously. Bad Bunny’s 2020 album El Ùltimo Tour Del Mundo was the first all-Spanish language record to top the Billboard Top 200. His 2022 album Un Verano Sin Ti, spent 13 weeks at the top of that list. In addition to being enormously successful, both El Ùltimo Tour Del Mundo and Un Verano Sin Ti are universally and critically acclaimed records known for how spirited and varied their sounds are. After previously saying that he was not going to release any new original music in 2023, Bad Bunny just released a new record with no warning and to everyone’s surprise. Hopefully, he can continue the magic he has had in the past on this record and once again show why he is one of the best musicians in the world. That said, here is how I feel about Bad Bunny’s new record nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana. Please let me know in the comments what your favorite songs are from this record, and also comment on how you feel about nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana as a whole.
Bad Bunny gets nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana on an interesting and unexpected note with the track ‘NADIE SABE.’ This is a 6:19 acoustic pop song where Bad Bunny spills his guts and lays all of his feelings on the line. The instrumental for this song is provided by somber yet enchanting synths that have the sound of a symphony. These synths are complemented by a twinkling piano melody that comes in and out giving the song a softer sound. At some points in the instrumental the synths that drive the melody get deep and dingy, giving the song an apprehensive sound. I really enjoy Bad Bunny’s vocal performance on this track. His husky tone adds much emotion to the song, and his flow has a story-telling quality that is super engaging. On ‘NADIE SABE,’ Bad Bunny recognizes his status and impact while acknowledging his flaws. This track is braggadocious and self-deprecating at the same time. ‘MONACO’ keeps the classical feeling of the last track and gives it a Trap music element. This song samples a 50s Pop song called ‘Hier Encore’ by French singer Charles Azvanour. This sample drives the melody, as this melody sounds like something that would play in one of the Godfather movies. It has a gorgeous and calming sound that makes me want to smoke a cigar in the Sicilian countryside. This sweet and ethereal melody is put on top of a pretty hard-hitting Trap beat that contrasts the melody in a cool manner. Bad Bunny’s vocal performance on this song is wide-ranging; at some points in the song, he raps with a low and level tone, and at other points shows off his range and sings with high notes that fit the beauty of the melody. On ‘MONACO,’ Bad Bunny is calling out his peers and stating that they are not on his level and will never be on his level. He is sick of people comparing themselves to him because he knows he is the best. ‘FINA,’ which features up-and-coming Reggaeton star Young Miko, takes on a different kind of Trap sound that I feel is underrated and under-utilized. This song reminds me of the modern G-Funk-influenced Trap music made popular by artists like Shoreline Mafia or 03 Greedo. There is also something about this song that makes me think of the Narcocorridos that has become big over the last couple of years. The melody for this track literally makes me think of the theme track of Netflix’s NARCOS TV show. This instrumental is pretty much a colorful and intricate Narcocorridos-style melody put over a modern West Coast Trap beat. This makes for such an engaging sound that makes me want to party when I hear it. The chorus for this track is an interpolation of the iconic Reggaeton song ‘Pa Que Retozen’ by Tego Calderon, so classic Reggaeton fans will be drawn to this one. Bad Bunny’s vocal performance on this song is good, but the real star of the song is Young Miko. Her flow is absolutely perfect for this beat, and her understated tone contrasts the more gritty sound of Bad Bunny perfectly. ‘FINA’ is a love song where Young Miko and Bad Bunny are talking to their significant others and stating that they do not care what others think about them. ‘HIBIKI,’ which features Mora, breaks up the Trap sound of the last couple of songs and brings in Latin House music sound. This is the kind of high-octane song that will make anyone want to party when they hear it. The melody for this song, which is driven by very distorted synths, is very dark and jittery; there is an abrasive quality to it that is off-putting and attractive at the same time. This melody is put on a mid-tempo House beat that gives the song an epic feeling. I enjoy the contrast between the high and nasally tone of Mora and the deep tone of Bad Bunny; this contrast makes ‘HIBIKI’ so lively. On ‘HIBIKI,’ Bad Bunny and Mora are begging for their significant other to return to them as they feel so lonely without this person. ‘MR. OCTOBER.’ has the kind of in-your-face Trap feeling that makes me think of mid-2010s Atlanta Trap. When this song comes on, I think of some of the music artists like 21 Savage and Future made popular back in the day. This song is driven by a mean, downtrodden keyboard melody complemented by weird synths and sound effects that are put on top of an even-keeled Trap beat. Bad Bunny’s vocal performance on this song is solid, but it’s nothing to write home about. His flow does ride the best nicely, though, making the track progress well. To me, ‘MR. OCTOBER’ is a bit of a throwaway, as nothing about this one stands out enough to entice me like the first four tracks. On ‘MR. OCTOBER,’ is singing about how great and important he has become. He states that he almost wants to start over and start grinding again because he is at the top and has nowhere else to go. ‘CYBERTRUCK’ takes on a sound that Bad Bunny has had a lot of success with already in 2023. This track goes with a Jersey Club type of instrumental that is similar to the one on his hit single ‘WHERE SHE GOES.’ Whereas that track has a softer and more melancholy melody, this one has an intense and menacing one. This melody, which sounds like it is being provided by a distorted flute, has a mean streak that makes it super interesting. I enjoy how the snare drums are put on top of the 808 drum that drives the very fast beat this track has, as these snares give the song a bit of a Reggaeton feeling. I like how the beat for this track comes in and out as the song progresses, as the breaks in the beat make it seem more bold when it comes in. Bad Bunny’s vocals on this song are great; the way that his husky tone sits on this melody makes the song all-encompassing. On ‘CYBERTRUCK,’ Bad Bunny is shouting out how crazy his homeland of Puerto Rico is while also calling out his peers for not being as tough as him.
‘VOU 787’ takes on a sound that I have never heard from Bad Bunny. This song has a modern R&B Trap sound that is very similar to artists like Rod Wave or 6lack. The instrumental is driven by a sparkling R&B melody with a 90s Pop element to it that reminds me a lot of the melody for Madonna’s iconic single ‘Vogue.’ This melody is put on a light Trap beat that fits the calm nature of the melody so well. Bad Bunny’s vocal performance on this song is great. His rap flow fits the beat perfectly, and his tone creates a cool juxtaposition with the melody. On ‘VOU 787,’ is a love song where Bad Bunny is trying to tell his woman why there is no one better than him. ‘SEDA,’ which features Bryant Meyers, is the second tranquil R&B Trap song in a row. This one has a melody that feels a lot more modern than the one in the preceding song, though. The melody for this track has a tropical feeling to it; when I hear this track, it makes me want to sit on the beach in the Caribbean with a Piña Colada in my hand. Both of the vocal performances on this track are very good, with Bryant Meyers especially standing out. I love how he is constantly changing his tone and vocal style as it gives the song so much texture. ‘SEDA’ is a super sexual track where Bad Bunny and Bryant Meyers are bragging about how good they are in bed. Bad Bunny sticks with the smooth R&B Trap sound for the third time in a row on the song ‘GRACIAS POR NADA.’ Like the song preceding it, this song feels super modern. The melody has a hazy and atmospheric sound that is provided by a piano riff that is complemented by all sorts of weird sound effects. The beat for this song is very hypnotic and has an almost sleepy quality. Instead of rapping on this song, Bad Bunny sings throughout ‘GRACIAS POR NADA,’ showing off his vocal range proving how wide his range is. Strangely for me, even though this song’s vocal performance is so good, this is the most boring song of the project for me so far. I would definitely call it the first true throwaway for me. ‘On ‘GRACIAS POR NADA,’ Bad Bunny is calling out an ex and stating that they did nothing good or beneficial for him. When ‘TELEFONO NUEVO,’ which features Luar La L, begins, it sounds like it is going to continue the sweet R&B Trap trend the last few songs had. The first minute or so of the song has a very warm and friendly melodic Trap sound that reminds me of the songs before it; when the beat changes, though, this song gets a lot harsher and more fierce. I have to say, I was not really feeling the first minute of the track, and this instrumental switch makes it way more engaging and fun to listen to. Both of the vocal performances in ‘TELEFONO NUEVO’ are great; both artists match the ferocity of the instrumental in a huge way. On ‘TELEFONO NUEVO,’ Bad Bunny and Luar La L are rapping about how the fame that he has attained is not as great and enjoyable as it may seem. Bad Bunny switches things up and brings the Dance music sound back with the song ‘BABY NUEVA.’ This track has a very interesting and dark melody that sounds like it is provided by multiple different instruments and types of synths and is heavily distorted at some points. The beat for this song switches back and forth from having a slow Trap tempo and an upbeat House music tempo. To be honest, I could have done with the House music sections of the beat, as the melody seems to fit better with the House beat. Bad Bunny’s vocals are captivating and diverse on this track, and they give the song so much life. On ‘BABY NUEVA,’ Bad Bunny is singing to her ex and telling them how much better he is without them. ‘MERCEDES CAROTA,’ which features YOVNGCHIMI, is probably the hardest and most brash sound on the project so far. This song is driven by a creepy piano-driven melody that is put on a very tough and heavy Trap beat. Both of the vocal performances on this track are very gruff and low, going well with the sound of the instrumental. For some reason, there is something about this song that does not grab me. I would expect to be into it since I usually enjoy mean Trap music like this, but there is something about it that just feels dull to me. On ‘MERCEDES CAROTA,’ Bad Bunny and YOVNGCHIMI are comparing themselves to their peers and asserting their dominance.
Bad Bunny totally changes things up and goes with a sound we have not heard yet on this record with the song ‘LOS PITS.’ This one has a faster silky Pop-Trap sound that is so catchy and entertaining. It has the kind of sound that will get any club jumping when it comes on, and I would guess it will end up being one of the bigger hits of the record. Bad Bunny’s vocal performance on this song is dynamic and riveting, matching the lively energy of the instrumental. On ‘LOS PITS,’ Bad Bunny is bragging to his girl about how important and rich he has become. Bad Bunny goes back to the hard-hitting melancholy Trap sound on the song ‘VUELVE CANDY B.’ This song is a lot more captivating and interesting than the last song that had this sound. The melody for this song sounds like something out of a Halloween movie. It is put on a bass-heavy and sludgy Trap beat that makes the song sound epic. Bad Bunny’s vocals on this song are very grand and enchanting. On ‘VUELVE CANDY B,’ Bad Bunny is singing about his rise to the top and how everything he touches these days turns to gold. ‘BATICANO’ follows a similar formula in its sound to the song ‘BABY NUEVA’. Like that track, ‘BATICANO’ switches back and forth between Pop-Trap and House music. I have to say, this song is a lot more interesting and entertaining than ‘BABY NUEVA,’ though. Everything about ‘BATICANO’ is cool. From the engrossing melody which has so much distortion to the constantly morphing beat, ‘BATICANO’ keeps the listener on their toes. The effects of Bad Bunny’s vocals on this track are awesome and make this song feel larger-than-life. On ‘BATICANO,’ Bad Bunny is singing to his girl about how he knows he is a bad influence but that is okay because he definitely knows how to have fun. The beginning of ‘NO ME QUIERO CASAR’ interpolates the iconic 1990s Reggaeton hit ‘Hey Girl’ by Frankie Boy. The melody of this song revolves around this sample, giving the song a very warm and sweet feeling. This melody has the kind of feeling that makes me want to party the night away on a hot night on an island somewhere. This melody is put on top of a Latin Trap beat with a vivacious quality to it. The energy of the beat is perfect for the sound of the melody and makes this a perfect track to party to. Bad Bunny’s vocal performance on ‘NO ME QUIERO CASAR’ is not exceptional, but it is solid and helps the song move along evenly. On ‘NO ME QUIERO CASAR,’ Bad Bunny is singing about how he lives his life to the fullest because he never knows what is going to happen tomorrow. The aforementioned ‘WHERE SHE GOES’ was the only single released in anticipation of this project, and it has been one of the biggest hits of 2023. I feel like I do not have to say a lot about this song, but I would assume anyone reading this has heard it at some point. It is a great example of the Jersey Club music sound that is sweeping the nation right now. This song is so catchy and exciting, and Bad Bunny’s vocal performance on it is riveting. It is easy to see why ‘WHERE SHE GOES’ is a hit. On ‘WHERE SHE GOES,’ is begging a girl to be with him because he can not stand only having one night with her.
‘THUNDER Y LIGHTNING,’ which features Eladio Carrion, totally switches up the sound and goes with a type of music we have not heard yet on this project. This track sounds heavily inspired by the NY Drill music that has become big over the last few years. I could totally see someone like Pop Smoke(RIP) or Fivio Foreign rapping over this instrumental. This song contains a daunting and severe melody that sounds like it is being provided by an organ. This melody is but on top of a buzzing drill beat with a powerful quality that will pump anyone up when they hear it. This would be a great workout song, as it will motivate the listener when it comes on. Bad Bunny and Eladio Carrion both deliver fiery, hoarse vocal performances that go perfectly with the instrumental. On ‘THUNDER Y LIGHTNING,’ Bad Bunny and Eladio Carrion are rapping about how you would not want to mess with them because of who they are and because of their connections. ‘PERRO NEGRO,’ which features Feid, is one of the only traditional Reggaeton songs on the project. Even though I could see this song being one of the hits from this project because of the feature and because of the easy-going and pleasurable nature of the song, to me it is a bit underwhelming. I guess I would just expect something more exciting coming from this duo. ‘PERRO NEGRO’ is catchy for sure, but there is something about this one that does not draw me in. The vocal performances on this track are just okay to me, and the instrumental is nothing special as well. It is the kind of song that will get anyone dancing because of how smooth it is, though, so I guess this song does serve its purpose. On ‘PERRO NEGRO,’ Bad Bunny and Feid are singing about partying with a girl that has a wild side they did not previously know about. ‘EUROPA:(‘ is a brief 11-second interlude where there is audio from an airport saying that someone’s flight has been canceled. To be honest, I do not really understand why this track was included at this point in the record. I will not judge it yet, however, because I am kind of assuming it has something to do with an upcoming album or project coming from Bad Bunny(because otherwise, it seems to have no point). ‘ACHO PR,’ which features Arcángel, De La Ghetto, and Ñengo Flow, is a triumphant-sounding Latin Pop Trap song with a grandiose quality to it. This song has a massive synth melody that sounds so warm and sweet. The beat for this track is pretty upbeat and danceable in the first half of the song and is slower and more calm in the second half of the song. I like how the beat changes up like this because it gives the song two distinct and fascinating elements. The second half of the track is equally engaging as the first half, but it obviously provides a completely different feeling for the listener. All of Bad Bunny’s features on this track perform well, but Bad Bunny truly shines on ‘ACHO PR.’ I love how wide his vocal range is on this track, and the emotion that he sings with makes the song that much more enthralling. On ‘ACHO PR,’ Bad Bunny and friends are singing about their love of the place they are from, Puerto Rico, and how proud they are to be from there. Bad Bunny closes out the album on a light and pleasant note with the song ‘UN PREVIEW.’ This track has already become a hit, as it has already garnered almost 100 million streams in the three days since this record came out(which is crazy). It is easy to see why ‘UN PREVIEW’ is becoming so loved already because it is definitely one of the best songs of the project. This song is driven by a simple guitar-driven melody with a breezy and tropical feeling to it. This melody is put on a pretty quick Reggaeton beat that will make anyone move their feet when it comes on. This song has the kind of energy that is perfect for any bar or club, and I can not wait to see people get excited when it comes on when I go out in the coming months(and years). Bad Bunny’s vocal performance on this song is just as awesome as the instrumental, making the song super entrancing. On ‘UN PREVIEW,’ Bad Bunny is singing about a girl that he just met who he has become infatuated with. ‘UN PREVIEW’ is a light and attractive way to end the record, and it makes me think his next project will have a Reggaeton theme based on its title and sound.
Considering the global status that Drake and Bad Bunny have and the fact that they released albums in consecutive weeks, it is easy to compare Drake’s For All The Dogs to Bad Bunny’s nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana. Drake’s record was advertised as being majorly influenced by the music that Drake originally became famous for, but as we saw last week, unfortunately, this was not the case. nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana, however, definitely seems heavily inspired by the music that Bad Bunny became big for back in the day. When Bad Bunny came up, he was mainly a Latin Trap artist. He has branched out in the last few years and shown how diverse he can be in his artistry, but he went back to his roots on nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana. Now this album is not as cohesive as Un Verano Sin Ti or as experimental as El Ùltimo Tour Del Mundo, but it is still full of quality music. I think the main gripe I would have with this album is that it is a bit too long. If nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana was shortened by about five or six tracks, I think it would truly be great. Unfortunately, there are a few filler tracks that pull the overall quality of the album down a bit, but for the most part, nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana is very good. nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana is the latest high-value addition to the excellent discography of Bad Bunny, and it once again shows why he is one of the most essential artists of this generation.
EAST SIDE VIBES 