Much like the motley dialects, foodways, and spiritual practices that define the region, Caribbean musicians have never been shy about colliding genres in the spirit of innovation. It’s a deeply rooted cultural approach that has carved the path for the region’s most commercially successful artists of the last few decades—just consider the history of salsa, reggaetón, and dembow, to name a few. Now a whole new generation is poised to do the same with contemporary sounds, and Los Rarxs are at the forefront. Their debut album sharpens their revelrous R&B, but it also offers a snapshot of Latinx popular music’s current zeitgeist, especially in the Caribbean.
Los Rarxs have been searching for their voice over the course of their last four EPs, turning their disparate styles and musical inspirations into the funk and spark that now defines them. Singer Vento Alejandro forged his sleek vocal style fronting rock bands on Puerto Rico’s beachy west coast, where competing with raucous instruments prepared him to share the booth with two exuberant wordsmiths. Meanwhile, rappers Erre and FOKINFROID’s delivery is lively and quick-witted, allowing them to complement each other instead of swerving into redundancy. Orteez, their longtime beatmaker and unofficial fourth member, is the lead producer of the album (his recent credits include fast-rising names such as popetón purveyor Rauw Alejandro and emotón darling Álvaro Díaz). The introduction of new collaborators MELLOWAVES and UNOUNO (aka Muela Inmunda) might account for the doors the band opens here, though they don’t stray too far from the sound that garnered them a following in the first place: a chimerical blend of indie rock, quiet storm R&B, East Coast hip-hop, and sticky reggaetón that is both cohesive and spirited. Think of them as a more debaucherous the Internet, or Free Nationals with slightly more verve, and some essential Boricua swag as the secret ingredient.
La Rareza’s first single, “No Tire Foto,” fuses house music with other genres, taking a page from a trend that has permeated música urbana for the past two years. The band follows the same direction in “Búscame,” a track that stitches an energetic drum’n’bass break with lyrics about seeking the ultimate party. It’s tailor-made to be played at rude volumes during a pregame, and infusing the song’s fun and flirty aura with a dose of EDM is a seamless combination.
With its electric guitar licks, slow-jam drums, and Vento’s frisky chorus, opener “Tú Nunca Has Sentido” signals to old fans that the boys are trying something new and vying for more commercial appeal. The album takes off on the next song; “Guitarra” maximizes the trio’s talents into a danceable track chock full of sexy double entendres and a perreo beat designed for grinding with your partner of choice. FROID in particular shines here, with a clever verse that name drops Fender and B.B. King, staying true to the theme without losing its provocative edge. “Enetepé” is also a standout; it’s a mishmash of snares, hi-hats, and warbles that embraces whimsy, but doesn’t succumb to mere cacophony.
Vento cedes “Nomes13” to his shooters Erre and FROID, and the two team up for a riotous diss track. Here, Erre’s flow resembles street storytelling with an edge, his cadence sometimes recalling Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s Wish Bone, while FROID’s bars reflect a cheekier, more mischievous, and prurient demeanor. “Arrogantel,” meanwhile, is another opportunity for Vento to flaunt his smooth tenor and pop-rock and R&B sensibilities. Whether they’re being romantic or rambunctious, Los Rarxs always wear their emotions on their sleeves.
Reggaetón and its offshoots have dominated Puerto Rico for more than a decade, and more recently, Latinx trap and drill have encroached upon (and sometimes transcended) their predecessors. But now, pockets of a new sound—or sounds—have emerged on the island. Los Rarxs is one of numerous examples of up-and-coming artists creating a new aural oasis in Borikén, one that gleefully refuses easy definition. Alongside other performers like RaiNao (who Bad Bunny recently highlighted as one of his favorite discoveries of the summer and who is herself a fan of La Rareza) they instead exist in a musical smorgasbord that owes as much to rock en español icon Draco Rosa as reggaetón legend Don Omar.
Early in their career, Los Rarxs had unbridled zeal; today they’re more disciplined, but still thrilling. When even the most subdued tracks tempt a repeat listen, and the strongest ones promise to be in rotation for the rest of the year, it’s clear Los Rarxs are heralding a vivid new era of Caribbean syncretism.
