On Oct. 18, 2023, Bad Bunny released his fifth studio album, “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana,” which he noted means “No one knows what will happen tomorrow.” He had announced the release of the album only a few days prior via his Instagram. The album itself consists of 22 tracks totaling 88 minutes, which marks one of his largest projects.
When first listening to the songs on this album, they are reminiscent of the Bad Bunny listeners first came to know, with the sound venturing back to his rap origins. The album as a whole appears to be a more personal look into the psyche of Bad Bunny and how his quick rise to fame affected him. The first track, “Nadie Sabe,” is a six-minute song focusing on the pitfalls and loneliness of stardom which includes the addition of a choir. The duality of the content these tracks contain is interwoven and flows between tracks. With songs like “Nadie Sabe” and “Gracias Por Nada” being songs that seem to portray a note of more personal experiences, they is paired up with songs like “Fina” and “Baticano,” which are similar to the trap music he is used to releasing. The subject matter varies from the negative effects of fame, to addressing controversy, to classic celebrity showboating, to the explicit all in 22 tracks and 88 minutes.
“Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana” sets itself apart from other albums because of the experimentation with other genres. The song “Nadie Sabe” includes an orchestra that matches the tone of the song being more pensive. The song “Monaco” includes a sample of the song on piano and violin, “Hier Encore” by Charles Aznavour. The rich instrumentals are an unexpected but successful addition to the trap sound Bad Bunny is known for.
After the commercial success of his last album, “Un Verano Sin Ti,” fans and critics alike were observing Bad Bunny to see what he could possibly do after this last album made history, with Vox noting that it “[was] the first Spanish-language album to ever receive a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year.” For longtime Bad Bunny fans, this album may feel nostalgic of his music before stardom. The album concludes with the song “Acho Por,” which is an ode to Bad Bunny’s origins in Puerto Rico, insisting that he won’t forget where he comes from. This song stood out the most to me because it felt the most real. This song features popular Puerto Rican musicians De La Ghetto, Arcángel and Neñgo Flow. Out of all the songs Bad Bunny created, this song feels more personal because of the way Bad Bunny details his life before fame in the barrio of Puerto Rico, along with musicians that share the same experience.
Bad Bunny took a look back at his career and his experiences to create an album that would please older fans. I felt that this album was a closer look into Bad Bunny’s psyche, but it could have felt more real. The music on this album is great, but it’s perhaps not his best work. However, I encourage everyone to listen to this album for themselves and form your own opinion.
By Liese Devine, Features Editor
Graphic by Shae-Lynn Henderson, EIC