In the final moments of 2020, Álvaro Díaz cleared the timeline with the fan-friendly compilation Diaz Antes, collecting the kind of hip-hop tracks he’d made his name with. From there, the Puerto Rican rapper seemed to revel in the freedom of a fresh start, dropping singles like “Brilloteo” and “Gatillera” that expanded his sonic palette in unexpected ways. By the time the sumptuous “Problemón” with Latin R&B star Rauw Alejandro arrived, his levelling up became undeniable. Though the cover art and opening theme suggest a certain infamous theme-park fantasia, Felicilandia represents a maximalist musical world of Díaz’s making, one that unites his rapping sensibilities with these richer pop proclivities. What follows goes from the lush synthwave of “18+1” to the R&B-meets-reggaetón joyrides of “Llori Pari” and “Close Friends”. Nodding to half of a seminal reggaetón duo, “OG Black” brings another veteran on board in Randy, who handles the beat switch with ease, while “Chinita Linda” throws it back to the days when rock and boom bap collided, with Venezuelan band Rawayana in tow. Still, those wistful for the toughness of his older material will find similar vibes on “D-Gratis” and the trap-indebted “Casual Day”.