Rauw Alejandro didn't just drop an album. He basically tried to rewrite the rules of what a modern Puerto Rican superstar is supposed to sound like in 2024. When Cosa Nuestra Rauw Alejandro first started hitting the headlines, people expected more of the synth-pop "Saturno" vibes or the club-ready reggaeton that made him a household name. Instead? He gave us a love letter to the Nuyorican soul of the 1970s. It’s gritty. It’s expensive. It’s kind of a flex, honestly.
He stepped into the shoes of a character named Raulito, a sophisticated, suit-wearing version of himself that feels more at home in a smoky salsa club in the Bronx than a neon-lit rave in Ibiza. It’s a massive pivot.
The Sound of Cosa Nuestra Rauw Alejandro
You can’t talk about this project without talking about the Fania All-Stars. Rauw has been vocal about how much the legendary salsa era influenced this record. If you listen to "Déjame Entrar," you aren't just hearing a beat; you're hearing a live horn section that sounds like it was plucked straight out of 1975. Most urban artists use plugins for those sounds. Rauw? He went for the real thing.
It's risky. In an era where TikTok favors 15-second loops and generic dembow rhythms, making an album that demands you sit down and appreciate the instrumentation is a gamble. But it’s one that seems to be paying off with critics who were starting to get bored with the "formula."
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He teamed up with heavy hitters too. We're talking about production from Dimelo Flow and Mag, sure, but the guest list is what really anchors the "Our Thing" (the literal translation of Cosa Nuestra) theme. Having Pharrell Williams on "Touching The Sky" adds this weird, funky bridge between Virginia Beach and San Juan that shouldn't work, but somehow does. It’s chic. It’s sophisticated. It’s very much not what the "Todo de Ti" fans might have seen coming.
Why the 1970s Aesthetic Matters
The 70s in New York was a melting pot. It was the era of Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe. By naming the album Cosa Nuestra Rauw Alejandro is directly referencing the 1969 album Cosa Nuestra by Willie Colón. He’s not just borrowing a vibe; he’s claiming a lineage.
- The Fashion: Gone are the space suits. Now, it’s all sharp tailoring, silk shirts, and a certain "Don" energy.
- The Storytelling: The lyrics lean more into the romanticism and the "street" elegance of old-school salsa.
- The Visuals: If you’ve seen the music videos, you’ll notice the grainy film stock and the vintage NYC backdrops. It feels lived-in.
Breaking Down the Key Tracks
"Punto 4" is probably the closest thing to "classic" Rauw on the record, but even that has a layer of polish that feels new. Then you have "Khé?" which features Romeo Santos. Honestly, getting the King of Bachata on a track that feels this experimental is a huge win for the culture. It bridges the gap between the legends and the new school in a way that feels earned, not forced.
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Then there is "Touching The Sky." This track is basically Rauw's audition for the global pop throne. It’s breezy. It’s sung mostly in English and Spanish, blending the two seamlessly. It shows he’s not just a "reggaetonero"—he’s a vocalist.
Wait, let's talk about the salsa elements for a second.
You’ve got tracks that feel like they belong on a turntable in a grandma’s house in Carolina, PR, yet they have enough bass to rattle a modern subwoofer. That balance is hard to hit. Most people who try to do "tribute" albums end up sounding like they’re wearing a costume. Rauw sounds like he’s actually living in this world.
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The Controversy and the Transition
Let's be real: people were worried. After the very public breakup with Rosalía and the emotional "Hayami Hana," some fans thought Rauw might disappear into a hole of sad ballads. Instead, he reinvented himself. Cosa Nuestra Rauw Alejandro is a defiant "I’m still here, and I’m better than ever" statement.
Some critics argued that the "Raulito" persona was a bit too much of a departure. They missed the blue-haired alien from "Saturno." But that's the thing about artists like Rauw—they don't stay in one place. If you look at the trajectory of someone like Bad Bunny, who shifts genres like gears in a sports car, you can see why Rauw felt the need to evolve. You can't stay the "new guy" forever. You have to become the "classic guy."
The Cultural Impact of the Album
This isn't just about music sales. It’s about the "Latino Excellence" narrative. By leaning so heavily into salsa and jazz influences, Rauw is educating a younger generation of listeners. A 16-year-old listening to this album might go back and look up who Willie Colón is. That’s powerful.
- It validates the tropical genres that the "urban" scene often leaves behind.
- It proves that Puerto Rican artists can lead the global pop conversation without losing their roots.
- It sets a high bar for production value in the genre.
Actionable Steps for the Rauw Alejandro Fan
If you want to really "get" what’s happening with Cosa Nuestra Rauw Alejandro, you can't just shuffle it on Spotify while you’re doing dishes. You need to dive a little deeper to appreciate the layers.
- Listen to the Original "Cosa Nuestra": Go find the 1969 Willie Colón album. Listen to the brass. Listen to the attitude. Then come back to Rauw’s record. You’ll hear the echoes immediately.
- Watch the Live Performances: Rauw is a dancer first. Seeing how he choreographs "Raulito" is different from how he choreographed the "Saturno" tour. It’s more fluid, more about the "swing" than the "stomp."
- Check the Credits: Look at the percussionists and the horn players on this record. These aren't just session musicians; many are legends in the tropical music world.
- Follow the Visual Narrative: Pay attention to the color palettes in the music videos—the transition from the cool blues of his last era to the warm, sepia, and earthy tones of this one is intentional.
Rauw Alejandro has successfully transitioned from a trend-setter to a legacy-builder. Whether you love the salsa-inflected tracks or find yourself pining for more reggaeton, you have to respect the craftsmanship. He didn't take the easy way out. He took "Our Thing" and made it his own. The best way to experience this era is to stop comparing it to what came before and embrace the "Raulito" era for exactly what it is: a masterclass in musical evolution.