With the raw energy of corridos and the dance-floor fervor of Jersey club, Fuerza Regida’s latest creation, Pero No Te Enamores, forges a bold, unprecedented fusion. At the helm, frontman Jesús Ortiz Paz, a.k.a. JOP, embraced the risk of blending these distinct styles.
“When I first heard [Jersey club] about one to two years ago, I loved it. I was like, ‘Man, I wanna do something with it.’ I just didn’t know how. But I knew that when I did, they were gonna talk sh–t,” he tells Billboard Español. “So when it got to the point to make a new album, I was like, ‘I wanna do Jerseys and dance music, I want to move something different but still keep the original Fuerza Regida [essence], with the guitars.”
The gamble paid off. This week, the album, which was released on July 25, made an immediate impact on the Billboard charts, debuting at No. 2 on the Top Latin Albums and No. 23 on the Billboard 200. The focus track, “Nel,” marked by its emotional-yet-disillusioned tone, entered the coveted Billboard Hot 100 at 91. Additionally, eight cuts from the album appear on Hot Latin Songs.
For this new sound, Fuerza Regida enlisted music producers Gordo — known for his work on Drake’s Baltimore club hit “Sticky” — and Synthetic, the architect behind Lil Uzi Vert’s Jersey club smash “Just Wanna Rock.” “Gordo has the dance s–t on lock, he’s the man; and Synthetic, he’s killing it with the Jersey club,” adds JOP.
The San Bernardino band’s innovative leap into Jersey corridos does more than fuse two disparate genres: It carves out a fresh niche in the musical lexicon, affirming that the barrios and dancehalls can, in fact, share a singular, resonant heartbeat.
Below, Billboard ranks all 15 songs from Pero No Te Enamores, from worst to best.
“I look like Young Miko, I like chicks,” JOP sings in Spanish, sardonically, against a pulsating Jersey club beat, while playfully blowing kisses to the mic. There is, however, an unexpected sonic transition three-quarters into the track that significantly amplifies the overall vibe.
Not only does JOP slip in and out of different styles throughout the set, he does so in songs as well. In “Ale,” the almost-soothing acoustic guitar plucks fade mid-song, allowing reggaetón drums to fully take over.
Excess, parties and superficial relationships: “Belinda” stands out as one of the few traditional-leaning corridos on the album, delving deep into the band’s hedonistic escapades. This track offers an unfiltered glimpse into Fuerza Regida’s world of debauchery, capturing its full indulgence in pleasure-seeking exploits.
Don’t be fooled by a slow start to “Kylie” — it quickly picks up speed, turning into a spellbinding Jersey club track that promises to transform into an anthem.
“Bella” epitomizes the unique mix of Jersey corridos, merging EDM with acoustic guitar in a seamless fusion. With the creative prowess of producers Gordo, Rabba, Charly and JOP himself, the track accomplishes what seems unimaginable, electrifying the main room with horns. Throughout the song, JOP croons to a captivating “bella” love interest, crafting an atmosphere of pure delight.
JOP leans on a bouncy trap/hip-hop beat for his team-up with Bellakath. The sound is innovative, the raunchy lyrics not so much.
Infused with the electrifying essence of house music, Fuerza Regida collaborates with the celebrated Dutch DJ Afrojack to ignite the dance floor, drawing inspiration from the neon-hued ’90s era. Featuring an array of dynamic drops and euphoric beats, “Fvck” is designed to turn up the nightlife scene.
Perhaps the most personal track on the album, “Jesus,” a nod to JOP’s first name, is a stripped-down, guitar-first song where he brags about carrying loads amount of money and being surrounded by girls who look like Bratz dolls.
This intro track sets the stage for the album’s innovative fusion, and marks a new direction for the band. Featuring a Jersey club beat pattern and synths, the song exudes a raunchy vibe, where the band’s frontman flaunts his provocative f–ck boy charisma as he sings about admiring girls with a big “qlo.”
JOP flaunts his versatility in this reggaetón bop with Maluma and Gordo. It’s a head-turning track, because you almost don’t expect a reggaetón cut in the set — but, safe to say, we were pleasantly surprised.
Very few Spanish-language drill tracks have broken into the mainstream. And “Freestyle” continues to carve out its niche as a gritty testament to JOP’s deep-rooted affinity with the genre — a raw fusion of his Mexican American identity and the stark, unfiltered ethos of East Coast drill. “The song was like 90% freestyle,” JOP articulated to Billboard Español about its recording process. This track not only underscores his versatility but also echoes his American upbringing, while pushing musical boundaries.
If you’re looking to get lost in a track, this one is it. “Sofia” is a form of musical escapism, powered by subtle electronic beats that aren’t too in-your-face. The simplicity of this song is what makes it a stand out track.
Blending corridos-style guitars, horns and an infectious dance beat, “Secreto Victoria” is a homage to women in lingerie. Admiring the sensuous spirit of a Victoria’s Secret runway, JOP serenades with a provocative line, “Mamita, tu vas al gym pa’ ponerte más mamasita,” celebrating the dedication of women who sculpt their bodies to even greater allure. This track not only captivates with its rhythm but also charms with its cheeky nod to the iconic lingerie brand.
If you’ve made it to the very end of the album, after all the head-bobbing and riveting jersey corrido anthems, you’ll find it almost comforting that JOP closes with this super chill, laid-back track powered by sierreño-like guitars, where he’s blunt and raw about how elusive he can be in relationships. “Just don’t fall in love,” he warns.
If anyone was outraged about Fuerza Regida’s radical leap into uncharged sonic territory — Jersey corridos — “Nel” is bound to make them reconsider. Spanish slang for “Nah,” the track embodies the band’s bold, unapologetic ethos. The frontman sets the tone with a stirring plea, driven by a deep longing that might just be the catalyst for his disillusioned stance — the turning point in “pero no te enamores” (“but don’t fall in love”) where it all changes.
From the get-go, the production captures you, starting with a delicate, inviting tone before abruptly pivoting, sharply, into a throbbing club beat with a vigorous reggaetón thump. As the most standout track on the album, “Nel” not only challenges genre boundaries but also solidifies Fuerza Regida’s position as fearless innovators in the Latin music scene, unafraid to evolve and provoke.