Keeping to their consistent schedule of a new studio album every two years (despite working overtime during 2010 to tour and compile the two-volume live collection
La Revolución Live), reggateon cowboys
Wisin & Yandel return for
Los Vaqueros: El Regreso, their eighth studio album. It's an LP that's meant to evoke 2006's crew-laden Los Vaqueros, which firmly established reggaeton's first family with appearances by
Don Omar and Franco "El Gorilla", as well as a host of newcomers. This one is similarly studded with nearly a dozen stars and up-and-coming talents. Unlike many of their contemporaries, who clearly can't contain a parade of collaborators in a seamless whole,
Wisin & Yandel easily shuttle between pop, urban, and reggaeton with few speed bumps. "No Dejemos Que Se Apague," featuring
T-Pain and
50 Cent, segues nicely into the reggaeton-heavy "Se Acabó" featuring Tito el Bambino. Other heavy hitters dot the album, including
Tego Calderón,
Sean Kingston, and
Alexis & Fido. The returning Franco "El Gorilla" gets space for two features: "Sigan Bailando" with
Tego, and the album-closing "Uy Uy Uy." ~ John Bush