Rauw Alejandro’s ‘Cosa Nuestra’ Review: Songs Ranked

This song concludes Cosa Nuestra with a mix of retro pop and electronic beats, coupled with funky electric guitar riffs. While aiming for a high-energy vibe, it lacks the dynamic execution found in other songs. Additionally, the lyrical content mostly focuses on casual encounters and self-praise, not really channeling the “SEXXXMACHINE” beast he claims to be.

A formidable trap song, “IL Capo” is laden with hard-hitting lyrics that reveal his dominance in the game. Through clever wordplay and confident swagger, Rauw compares himself to iconic figures and showcases his rise from the streets to luxury, embodying the untouchable “boss” persona. Verses laced with references to success, betrayal and relentless ambition underscore his top-tier status, making this a bold declaration of his unyielding ascent in pop.

Marking his first solo release of 2024 — and a new chapter in his career — “Touching the Sky” arrived in May as the first single from Cosa Nuestra and was an immediate hit. The synth-pop banger, infused with disco and optimistic lyrics about the hope of finding new love and enjoying the moment, showed a new side of Rauw, and took the Puerto Rican star back to No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Airplay chart.

In “Mil Mujeres,” Rauw Alejandro celebrates a libertine lifestyle full of conquests and fleeting encounters, with an explicit narrative in which he rejects serious romantic commitments. Musically, he fuses Latin rhythms with the cadence of trap, while a futuristic touch of J-pop adds an unexpected twist at the end. The song highlights his ability to experiment with genres, creating a fresh and provocative sound that keeps the listener intrigued.

Here, Rauw Alejandro combines sultry reggaetón with lush tropical pop. Mirroring the sensual essence of his 2020 debut, Afrodisiaco, the song intertwines heartfelt lyrics with an intoxicating soundscape. Co-written by Rauw and MAG, the song is heightened by its dancehall-tinged intensity — and as it unfolds, the star’s compelling pleas for a deeper connection reach a radiant crescendo, highlighted by Mick Coogan’s steel-string guitar.

Rauw Alejandro reels in Alexis y Fido to create a high-energy perreo track titled “Baja Pa’ Acá.” This song masterfully fuses the classic sounds of old-school reggaeton with contemporary rhythms, resulting in a vibrant and energetic anthem. With its bold, explicit lyrics and pulsating beats, Rauw and Alexis y Fido, known as “Los Reyes del Perreo,” immerse listeners in the heart of reggaeton culture, paying tribute to the legendary figures. This collaboration invites fans to experience the raw energy and power that define the genre, and becomes a must-listen.

Thirty years after its release, Rauw brings a new light to Laura Pausini’s 1994 classic “Se Fue.” He also recruited Pausini for a euphoric collaboration. Rauw and Pausini stay truthful to the song’s lyrics about yearning for a loved one after a breakup, but they experiment with the rhythm: on this version, “Se Fue” is a hyped-up, futuristic electronic song — a contrast to Pausini’s soft rock ballad. Rauw first performed “Se Fue” at the 2023 Latin Grammys, on the heels of his very public breakup with Rosalía.

Rauw bares his soul and shows vulnerability on “Amar de Nuevo,” a song about the thrill of giving himself over to a new relationship despite the persistent fear of being hurt again. “Although I know I’m taking a risk, wait for me, don’t go away,” he sings with pathos in this electronic ballad fused with bachata, adding, “I want to throw myself into your fire, teach me to love again better than before.”

Rauw Alejandro whips up an intoxicating cocktail on “Espresso Martini,” operating over elegant trap beats and channeling the essence of Nas’ classic “Take It In Blood.” Sharing the spotlight with rising rappers Marconi Impara and Yan Block, each artist showcases their distinct flows as they capture the hustle of life, love, and success. Together, they create a smooth yet hard-hitting vibe that juxtaposes personal success and nightlife allure.

In collaboration with his longtime producer Mr. NaisGai, “Pasaporte” is a groovy, funk-infused dance track that best captures the new carefree and adventurous Rauw. “If I don’t answer / I’m doing my own thing, send me a text / My life is a movie, everyday I post photos and videos,” he chants on the electronic bop. Honoring the title (which translates to “passport”), the music video finds Rauw dancing in a private jet, traveling the world, and hanging out with his celebrity friends David Guetta and The Martinez Brothers in Ibiza.

“Now I see myself, and I don’t even know myself,” encapsulates Rauw Alejandro’s emotional state in this song, a self-portrait of vulnerability after an intense relationship that deeply transformed him. On “Ni Me Conozco,” Rauw fuses trap with a soft R&B base, achieving a balance between the rawness of his narrative with a performance that alternates between melancholic singing and rapping. The track culminates with an ethereal fade, anchored by a French sample of Lartiste’s “Clandestina” and some words of resilience.

A musical masterclass was bound to happen when Rauw reeled in Pharrell Williams for Cosa Nuestra. On “Committed,” produced by Williams and co-written with Rauw, the artists sing about their commitment to a girl who has a great behind. “I’m committed to hitting that booty consistent, right, regular,” chants Rauw. “It’s that great,” affirms Pharrell. Beyond its witty and flirtatious bilingual lyrics, “Committed” is a smooth chachacha fused with chill lo-fi beats.

Latin Mafia is known for its eclecticism, and their collaboration with Rauw on “2:12 AM” is no exception. The groovy alt-pop song, with a smashing electric guitar solo in the middle of the track, finds Rauw and the Mexican brothers singing about a rendez-vous that leads to risky decisions. “This complicity between my mouth and your skin, even if we explain, they won’t understand,” they sing in a verse.

This long-awaited collaboration between Rauw Alejandro and Feid delivers a certified hit that serves as a nod to the Puerto Rican slang term for “a mess.” Staying true to both artists’ urban essence, the track features a fusion of thumping beats with classic old-school violins. This song perfectly combines Rauw’s soaring vocals with El Ferxoo’s distinctive style, creating an ideal blend of Colombian reggaeton and Puerto Rican flavor.

It’s no surprise that Rauw Alejandro opens the album with “Cosa Nuestra,” a striking bolero that sets the tone for the rest of the LP. Penned by the artist himself, the song immediately comes off as a breakup song (Rosalía and Rauw ended their relationship in July 2023), but also one of healing. The sensual ballad ends with a radio host introducing Alejandro as “now the most coveted bachelor,” and that obviously gets all our attention.

Ever since “Party,” from Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti, we were eagerly awaiting on the next team-up between Rauw and El Conejo Malo. It’s arrived two years later by the way of “Qué Pasaría …,” the third track on Rauw’s Cosa Nuestra — and it doesn’t disappoint. Powered by riveting, fast-paced reggaetón drums, the song’s head-bobbing beat instantly makes it a favorite.

A sultry saxophone solo initiates the first collaborative effort between Rauw and Romeo Santos — one that was in the making for a couple of years, according to Rauw. With neither a reggaeton nor a bachata, the Puerto Rican and Dominican artists join forces on a sensual kizomba. “Khé?,” a song about a man who’s after a girl who’s playing hard to get, is backed by a strong bass beat, weeping requintos, and smooth sax. “Time is flying and I don’t know if you’re having a better time without me?” Santos sings.

In September, Rauw co-headlined the Global Citizen Festival in New York City, where he surprised fans with a cover of the timeless salsa tune “Tú Con Él” by Frankie Ruiz. Fast forward two months later, and the song not only sets the tone for Cosa Nuestra, but truly encapsulates Rauw’s new era — mature, healed, elegant. An homage to his Puerto Rican roots and the salsa romántica of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Rauw keeps the essence of “Tú Con Él” intact and impresses by singing in a different style. Meanwhile, the song’s impact on social media has the new generation connecting with their parents and grandparents, further demonstrating Rauw’s purpose with this album: heritage and community.