LAS QUE NO IBAN A SALIR
When a self-quarantined Bad Bunny took to Instagram on May 2, 2020, for an impromptu three-hour livestream, he captured the attention of over 300,000 similarly cooped-up fans starving for entertainment. In between the highly relatable twerking and drinking, the Latin music superstar shared a handful of previously unreleased song snippets. As he sang along excitedly, listeners worldwide wondered just how much material he had been sitting on. Now, not even three months after his Leap Day surprise *YHLQMDLG* arrived, he returns with another unannounced drop that leaves that vault at least a little bit emptier: *LAS QUE NO IBAN A SALIR*, which translates to *The Ones That Weren’t Going to Come Out*. From the *Yeezus*-reminiscent cover art to the demo-style song titles, El Conejo Malo’s 10-song Mother’s Day gift keeps the same loose, shaggy energy of his ad hoc live hangout—unmixed, unmastered, a candid glimpse into how he works. Meticulous types will recognize some of these tracks from that memorable night at home, particularly the album’s booming opener “SI ELLA SALE” and the earnest trap standout “BENDICIONES.” For everyone else, the self-produced project sounds like an intimate, even illicit listening experience—coveted access to the hard drive of one of the most important artists of our time. As if simply getting to hear 10 previously unknown Bad Bunny songs wasn’t enough, he’s brought a few friends along. The almighty Zion & Lennox come through for “MÁS DE UNA CITA,” while reggaetón royalty Don Omar blesses the young king in the best way possible on the thumping “PA’ ROMPERLA.” Continuing in the vein of *YHLQMDLG*’s uninhibited and frenetic “Safaera,” the perreo throwback “BAD CON NICKY” finds Bad Bunny tearing the club up with the titular Señor Jam in tow.
With most tracks pulled from the cutting room floor of the YHLQMDLG sessions, Bad Bunny shows he’s in full command of his music, even when it’s a little rough around the edges.
Bad Bunny surprise-released his chart-topping sophomore long-player YHLQMDLG in February, just before the virus spread and necessitated a global shutdown.