The Colombian singer José Álvaro Osorio Balvin, who records as J Balvin, knows he’s the face of modern reggaeton. His electric new Energîa is a record that renders that claim an understatement, built from the momentum of last year's worldwide megahit “Ginza,” which has 575 million YouTube views and counting. Energîa showcases J Balvin as a singer who has found a novel spin on reggaeton by absorbing contemporary rap culture and adopting its softened attitudes. Balvin moved to NYC as a teenager and dropped into the city's rap culture; he has clearly been taking notes ever since.

Balvin’s music strikes an uncommon balance between old sounds and new subject matter, and that’s most evident on Energîa’s quasi-crossover track “Safari.” While the song features Pharrell and his protegé Bia, Balvin isn’t reaching; Pharrell and Bia both sing in Spanish and find ways to gel with Balvin. It’s a thrilling joint, driven by bongos and a snaking piano line. “Este party es un safari,” sings Balvin, who knows that energy transcends language.