Anuel AA, Emmanuel
Anuel’s much-expected Emmanuel is a 22-track tour de force that places the 27-year-old Puerto Rican bad boy of trap on a different level. From street-wise, raunchy fare to soulful, introspective ballads set to complex, acoustic arrangements, Emmanuel -- produced mostly by Chris Jeday and Gaby Music -- shows the full range of what is considered a Latin “urban” sound. More importantly, it puts to rest any doubts that could exist surrounding Anuel’s staying power, hit-making prowess and, perhaps more importantly, sheer musicality. The rapper dares to bare his soul in tracks like “Los Hombres No Lloran” (Men Don’t Cry) and “Mi vieja,” which tells the story of his cellmate, who lost his mother while behind bars. Then, he steps right into the disco with uptempo fare like “Así soy yo,” featuring Bad Bunny. If reggaetón is about competition, Emmanuel will give stars like Bunny and J Balvin something to sit up straight about. -- LEILA COBO
Ashley McBryde, Never Will
After releasing one of 2018’s most compelling major-label debuts with Girl Going Nowhere, Ashley McBryde returned this year with a daring, confident release that moves her from country newcomer to mainstay, and proves she’s definitely going somewhere. From the rollicking, uplifting opener, “Hang in There, Girl,” to her first bonafide radio hit, the sultry “One Night Standards”; the feather-ruffling “Shut Up Sheila” (which puts Bible-thumpers in their place); and country-classic-in-the-making “The Last Thing I Need,” the gritty McBryde is a fearless traditionalist in the spirit of Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings -- for whom the greatest sin of all is watering down the truth. -- MELINDA NEWMAN
Bad Bunny, YHLQMDLG
Bad Bunny’s record-breaking album YHLQMDLG will go down in history as the first all-Spanish-language album to reach No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, and it will also go down as one of the best albums of the new decade regardless of genre or language -- thanks to back-to-back perreo, trap and reggaetón hits like “Safaera” and “Yo Perreo Sola.” The sublime album, featuring hit-making producers like Tainy, Súbelo Neo and DJ Orma, finds El Conejo Malo exploring themes like heartbreak, female empowerment and unconditional love for his island Puerto Rico throughout the all-Spanish 20-track set. Collaborating with OG reggaetoneros like Daddy Yankee, Jowell & Randy and Ñengo Flow, Bad Bunny was able to take what was once considered underground reggaetón played at marquesinas (garage parties) to a global audience. It's safe to say that YHLQMDLG is Bad Bunny’s best album yet and with it, he pushes the genre’s boundaries while taking it to the next level. -- GRISELDA FLORES
Bonny Light Horseman, Bonny Light Horseman