Going futuristic seems to be reggaeton’s thing in 2010, but minus the usual synths and slickness,
Ivy Queen’s
Drama Queen keeps all its sci-fi elements on its cover artwork. Otherwise, this is a standard issue effort from "La Reina del Reggaeton," with expected guest shots from folks like
De la Ghetto and
Wisin y Yandel. The beats are familiar as reggaeton drum machines meet R&B keyboards and
the Queen herself is brassy as ever, commanding attention on every track with a stern yet sexy delivery. That said, she's hardly stuck in a rut, as it’s all executed very well -- you can check the furious "La Vida Es Asi" or the uplifting “Amor Puro” for instant proof. The competition may stumble by attempting to re-create the genre with hi-tech theatrics, but here
the Queen keeps her reggaeton strain strong by sticking with the original formula. ~ David Jeffries