Cautivo  (Audio CD) 
by Chayanne

Chayanne has been at it for two decades as a solo artist, and he's rarely faltered as a hot commercial commodity. At the point, the established, charismatic singer could churn out lazy collections of processed pop drivel and still be successful. That's why 2003's Sincero, with all its earthy rhythms and vocal intensity, was such a refreshing surprise. It found Chayanne stretching as an artist, and the results were admirable at this stage in his already impressive career. Cautivo finds Chayanne further exploring more rock-tinged sounds and soaring balladry, but he's still got a firm grasp on the right amount of pop sheen. Guitar licks accent much of the album, as do forceful choruses. Chayanne also sounds better than ever, infusing many of the songs with a newfound confidence and impressive nuance. "No Te Preocupes Por Mi," "Curame" and standout "Nada Sin Tu Amor" are as danceable as past hits "Provocame" and "Salome," but the new tracks are grounded in real instrumentation instead of thumping, synthesized beats. "En La Orilla" is another gem, anchored by a lilting retro vibe. Only the flirty "Swing" seems plucked from one of Chayanne's past albums, and it's consequently Cautivo's weakest moment. Fellow heartthrob Carlos Ponce, who scored his own big hits with "Rezo" and "Escuchame," wrote/co-wrote six of the songs on Cautivo. It's just another unlikely step in Chayanne's evolution, and it somehow makes perfect sense. --Joey Guerra