Latin Pop Album

Arjona, “Adentro”

Obie Bermudez, “Lo Que Trajo el Barco”

Fulano, “Individual”

Marco Antonio Solis, “Trozos de Mi Alma 2”

Julieta Venegas, “Limon y Sal”

The Latin pop business has sure changed in the last few years. Gone are romantic crooners such as Luis Miguel and Julio Iglesias who once dominated the field. This year, the category is monopolized by singer-songwriters with an acoustic bent. The odds-on favorite is Venegas, the former Tijuana rocker who disappointed the alternative elite four years ago when she went shamelessly pop. She’s also my pick after redeeming herself with “Limon y Sal,” which strikes an irresistible chord through a balance of pop hooks, songwriting craft and an enigmatic emotional stance, simultaneously endearing and detached.

*

-- Agustin Gurza