Literal (2019)

"Guerras 11-track LP traverses genres beyond his typical repertoire, including salsa, son and even electronic flaunting the 61-year-olds boundary-pushing approach to Caribbean roots music. The veteran Guerra sidesteps some of bachatas traditional elements and embraces more experimentation. As with previous releases, like 1990s Bachata Rosa or 1998s Ni Es Lo Mismo Ni Es Igual, Luis calling card is to venture further out to sea than other bachata players; and for the most part, on Literal, he executes this quite effectively. Opener and lead single Kitipun opens with grandiose glam-rock synths, and even includes some unexpected sing-rapping from Juan Luis. Elsewhere, the artist flaunts his classical Berklee training in lively horn breaks and jazzy compositions. Yet one of the few missteps Guerra makes is the rogue airhorn sample on electro-son number Son a Mamá a call to embrace God and spirituality, themes that have characterized Juan Luis albums in the last few years." (rollingstone.com)