In a year that saw Latin music’s commercial success skyrocket past $1 billion in revenue for the first time, the true triumph lies not just in the industry’s financial ascent but in the relentless sonic exploration that defines the genre. From León Larregui’s technicolor electro-rock odyssey PRISMARAMA to DannyLux’s sad sierreño gem DLux and Tainy’s neon-hued experimental outing DATA, 2023 showcased a vibrant tapestry of sounds that fearlessly embraced innovation.
Powerhouses like Karol G, Bad Bunny and Billboard’s Pop Star Rookie of the Year Peso Pluma dominated the cultural conversation. Karol’s Mañana Será Bonito made history as the first Spanish-language LP by a female artist to top the Billboard 200 and Bad Bunny returned with another astounding No. 1 album on the aforementioned chart, topping it for a third consecutive release with October’s Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana.
Mexican music, in particular, emerged as the undisputed breakout genre, dethroning reggaetón for the first time within the Latin music world, as the Billboard charts attested to this year. Peso Pluma’s Génesis made history, debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. The regional scene continued its explosive growth with standout releases like Natanael Cano’s Nata Montana, Eslabon Armado’s Desvelado, Carin Leon’s Colmillo de Leche and Fuerza Regida’s Pa Las Baby’s y la Belikeada, all earning their place on our Best Latin albums of 2023.
Beyond música urbana and Mexican music, 2023 also welcomed a diverse range of deeper, more introspective albums. Juanes’ raw and sincere Vida Cotidiana brought the Colombian superstar back to his rock roots, Milo J’s South American bohemian essence on 111 combined tango and bolero music exquisitely and Alex Anwandter’s unabashed elctro-pop masterpiece El Diablo en el Cuerpo further enriched the musical landscape.
Here are the 25 albums that impressed us most: a testament to a year marked by innovation, historic achievements and the continuing global rise of Latin music. (The list is in alphabetical order by artist.)
