Quinto Piso

This Guatemalan singer/ songwriter has an uncanny knack for marrying sophisticated lyrics with catchy hooks and mass-appeal messages. On his debut for Warner after a lifetime with Sony, Ricardo Arjona also gives his timeless songs a sense of place. The album tells stories of urban life as seen from a fifth-floor studio, from the unabashed romanticism of first single "Cómo Duele" to the incisiveness of "Que Nadie Vea," which chronicles a gay man's life in the closet. The set traverses a sea of settings and emotions with elegance and an immediate sense of connection. Arjona is thoughtful in his arrangements, using a classical string quartet for "Bailarina Vecina," big strings for "Cómo Duele" and a more acoustic rock vibe for "La Vida Está de Luto." There's also a duet with ranchera queen Paqita La Del Barrio, which underscores how universal Arjona's songs and themes are, even in the most regional arrangements. —Leila Cobo