Argentine singer Maria Becerra truly broke out in 2021, logging memorable singles and notable features with the likes of J Balvin, Mariah Angeliq, and TINI. As such, it only seems right that this, her most substantive project to date, keeps that same energy. An expansion of an EP released earlier in the year, Animal also widens her sonic palette while remaining a worthy introduction to a rising star. She balances the forward-thinking reggaetón swagger of “Hipnotiza’” and the heartbroken “Mi Debilidad” with lush pop and R&B arrangements like “Cerquita De Ti” and with subtle salsa flourishes on “Acaramelao.” The majority of the record finds Becerra in a strong solo mode, but her curatorial, sparing choice of features uplifts fellow homegrown talents Cazzu and Tiago PZK alongside Danny Ocean and Becky G., the latter of whom lends her star power to the thumping duet “Wow Wow.”