JOSE

Released in 2021, JOSE represents J Balvin’s most expansive and personal project to date, signified by the use of his legal first name for the title. Spanning 24 tracks (and even more on the deluxe edition), the album was a commercial juggernaut, debuting at number one on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. Sonically, it continues the 'Medellin style' of reggaeton he helped popularize - characterized by spacious, melodic arrangements and a softer vocal approach - but incorporates a broader palette of global sounds, including EDM influences via Skrillex and mainstream pop via Dua Lipa. Critics were generally favorable but noted the album's massive runtime as a point of contention; while Exclaim! praised it as a successful reclamation of his throne, Clash suggested the length tested the listener's patience. The album is a pivotal moment in Balvin's career, moving away from the tight color-coded concepts of 'Colores' toward a more fragmented, 'playlist-style' structure that reflects the streaming era's consumption habits.