A throwback, in maybe not the best of ways…
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[5.29]
Adaora Ede: The separation of the artists Wisin and Yandel seems fitting in this case as “Como Antes” is doing its very different thing: it revisits the basics of danceable reggaeton (which I’m guessing Wisin and the Boys want us to do, based off of the title literally translating to “Like Before”) and it veers awkwardly into Europop, which is what the kids love these days, I guess. This track makes us clomp through about 25 seconds of faux-rave techno to remind us that they’ve still got it and what we end up with is the same thumping dembow featuring a faceless female chanteuse. So, in conclusion, if “Como Antes” were a decently written short story, the moral would be that production and hooks will always save the day.
[5]
Ian Mathers: Plus ça change, etc.
[6]
Alfred Soto: The way the gross lyrics are barked over a basic reggaeton beat keeps me from engaging “Como Antes.”
[4]
Stephen Eisermann: Yandel always manages to release banger compositions and even though this track feels a bit too familiar to be exciting, I thoroughly enjoy Yandel giving his spouse a shoutout calling her the “boss of the house.” It’s interesting; more often than not I think people associate reggaeton with total misogyny and while the genre is plagued by objectification, Yandel rides a very fine line of objectification and sexually empowering women on this track. Obviously, I’m not a woman and thus can’t speak to how much credit Yandel is really owed considering this track was written by four men, but I’m positive Yandel’s commitment to his wife and family is part of the reason in the (ever so slight) change. And hey, he still manages to have a woman refer to herself as his biscuit, but baby steps, right?
[5]
Jonathan Bradley: A throwback — linguistically deficient, I only now discovered the title affirms this explicitly — “Como Antes” has harsh pinprick synths and an off-kilter, carnivalesque energy that reminds me of, say, Daddy Yankee’s “Rompe.” But much as with grime tracks that seek to revive the genre’s rougher discordant early days — another regionally birthed early-mid ’00s sound — I appreciate the exercise most as a historical one: “Como Antes” hardly stands up alongside “Sexy Movimiento.” At least you can dance to it.
[6]
Ramzi Awn: I love carnivals. And I love music that makes me feel like I’m at a carnival. Now I want funnel cake. When in Puerto Rico…
[6]
Anjy Ou: I don’t mind a throwback to the golden era of reggaeton, but I wish it was more fire than sizzle.
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