Bad Bunny's "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" is a love letter to Puerto Rico

By Charlie Cruz     1/14/25 10:33pm

Rating: ★★★★

Track: “NUEVAYoL”

With “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Bad Bunny kicks off 2025 with an electrifying return to his roots, creating an album that is equal parts tribute, reinvention and celebration of Puerto Rican identity. Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio doesn’t just deliver 17 tracks; he crafts a vibrant journey that honors the traditions of his homeland while fearlessly reshaping the landscape of Latin music. It’s a bold, deeply personal statement that reaffirms his place not only as a global superstar but also as a cultural ambassador for Puerto Rico.

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The album opens with a thunderclap — “NUEVAYoL”. Sampling El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico’s “Un Verano en Nueva York” while blending salsa with dembow, the track immediately lays out the album’s purpose: preserving Puerto Rico’s musical legacy while creating something exhilaratingly modern. Collaborating with seasoned producers like Tainy and MAG, Bad Bunny masterfully fuses genres, delivering soundscapes that feel both timeless and futuristic.

This duality pulses through every track. “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” wraps its lush orchestral arrangements around the listener, while “CAFé CON RON,” featuring the dynamic Pleneros de la Cresta, pulses with the energy of Puerto Rican plena. 

But Benito doesn’t stop at homage — he innovates. On “EL CLúb,” he reinvents house music with plena guitars and glitchy beats, while the dancehall-influenced “VeLDÁ” proves irresistible on every listen. Even on more traditional reggaeton tracks like “EoO,” he injects a forward-looking edge, blending nostalgia with bold experimentation.

At the heart of “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” are its deeply personal and political lyrics. On “VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR,” Benito invites listeners into the essence of Puerto Rico with vivid imagery and heartfelt pride. The title track pulls back the curtain on heartbreak, as he laments, “I should have taken more pictures of you when I had you / I should have given you more kisses and hugs.” 

But it’s “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii” that delivers the album’s emotional knockout. With unflinching honesty, Benito confronts the gentrification and colonization threatening Puerto Rico’s cultural identity, drawing painful parallels with Hawaii’s history. Lines like “They want my neighborhood and for grandma to leave” are both a rallying cry and a heartfelt plea to preserve his homeland.

The album’s guest features amplify its cultural resonance. RaiNao’s ethereal vocals on “PERFuMITO NUEVO” bring a celestial beauty, while Omar Courtz and Dei V light up “VeLDÁ” with infectious energy. Chuwi’s raw talent shines on “WELTiTA,” reminding us of the thriving artistic future Benito celebrates throughout the album. Each collaboration feels deliberate and deeply rooted, further solidifying the album’s connection to Puerto Rican identity.

If there’s a flaw in “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” it’s in its ambition. At 17 tracks, a few songs — like “BOKeTE” and “KLOuFRENS” — revisit familiar reggaeton territory without adding much to the narrative. And while “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” dazzles, its six-minute runtime could have been more concise. But these minor stumbles hardly detract from the album’s overall impact. It’s an album that will make you leave your bed and dance.

The album closes on an emotional high with “LA MuDANZA.” Over triumphant horns and driving percussion, Benito declares, “Nobody can get me out of here, I’m not moving from here. / Tell him that this is my house where my grandfather was born. / I’m from P fuckin’ R.” It’s a defiant, heartfelt affirmation of belonging and cultural pride, perfectly encapsulating the album’s spirit. His cadence and breath control in this song only emphasizes one thing: Bad Bunny is not just a pop star, he is a fantastic artist. 

With “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Bad Bunny doesn’t just revisit his roots — he amplifies them, blending the personal, political and musical into an album that’s as ambitious as it is authentic. It’s an invitation to dance, reflect and celebrate, reminding us of the enduring power of cultural identity. This isn’t just an album; it’s a love letter to Puerto Rico, wrapped in beats, emotions and a relentless drive to push boundaries. In every sense, it’s Bad Bunny at his best.

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