Pop star Rebbeca Marie Gomez, known as Becky G, released “Encuentros,” her fourth Spanish language album, on Oct. 10. 49 minutes in duration, the tracklist consists of “XLAS NUBES,” “VISTO CARO,” “DESIERTO,” “COMO DIABLOS,” “CRISIS” with Tito Double P, “BANDIDO,” “MERCEDES” with Oscar Maydon, “BESÁNDOTE (feat. Oscar Ortiz),” “MUCHAS GRACIAS,” “OJALÁ,” “TODO” with Delilah, “ULTIMA VEZ,” “GOMEZX4,” “OTRO CAPÍTULO,” “MUCHO MUCHO MUCHOOO” and “POR EL CONTRARIO (DEMO).”
Known as a crossover artist, Becky G goes back and forth between singing in Spanish and English. She rose to mainstream success with her 2013 single “Shower,” launching her into the pop scene. Her first Spanish single wouldn’t come until 2016 with “Sola.” Since then, she has made a huge impact on the Latin music genre, earning her two American Music Awards, an iHeart Radio Music Award, nine Latin American Music Awards and has also been nominated for five Latin Grammy Awards.
She described in an interview that singing in Spanish comes “natural” to her, and that it is empowering for her, despite Spanish not being her first language. Similar to icon Selena Quintanilla, Becky G did not expand her Spanish vocabulary until later into adulthood. She insists that “just because she was born here and speaks English but sings in Spanish doesn’t mean she’s not ‘Latina Enough.’” Instead, she uses her music and self-expression to find happiness.
“Encuentros,” a Mexican-inspired album with mariachi and ranchera tracks, is “a love letter” to the music that raised Becky G. The album cover art itself is also symbolic. Becky G, with a long braid swept to the side, is seen sitting on a chair in front of a blue backdrop with the LA skyline behind her, which she reveals was a recreation of a picture of her grandpa.
With this new era, Becky G describes “Encuentros” as “a Becky that is at peace with herself, she’s more mature, she discovered and learned to embrace these parts of herself.” It’s all about turning over a new leaf, which explains the track “OTRO CAPÍTULO” (“Another Chapter”). Most notably, the name of her sophomore headlining tour is Casa Gomez: Otro Capítulo, which launched on Oct. 11.
“Encuentros” features every emotion Becky G has to offer: sadness, anger, grief, and so much more. In her track “MUCHO MUCHO MUCHOOO,” she talks in both English and Spanish — known to others as “Spanglish” — about her gratitude to the listeners and the relentless dedication and effort to bring the album to life. From one story to the next, the new album is overflowing with life in a rollercoaster that lasts just under an hour.
“Encuentros” is available now on all streaming platforms.