J Balvin Surprises with New Album ‘Mixteip’: ‘I Had These Songs On My iPod’

J Balvin has dropped a surprise album called Mixteip with “songs I had on my iPod and now are going to your playlist,” according to the artist himself. The release comes on the heels of his performance at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final halftime show.

In the 10-track project — which includes the previously-released singles “Río” and “KLK” with Omega -— the Colombian artist pays homage to the old-school reggaetón of the 1990s and early 2000s, but also delivers his signature progressive and experimental side. 

Track “Zun Zun,” in collaboration with Lenny Tavarez and Justin Quiles, for example, has those retro-yet-sensual perreo elements à la Plan B or Zion; whereas opening number “Bruz Weinz” (inspired by Bruce Wayne’s vigilante persona Batman) is an edgy trap-R&B fusion. 

One of the standout tracks on Mixteip is “Misterio,” which features salsa legend Gilberto Santa Rosa. Lyrically, it’s heart-wrenching and about a relationship that failed, but musically, it’s a seductive masterpiece that goes from a smooth reaggetón to an exhilarating salsa melody. “Hermano, el amor no es siempre lo que parece. A veces, hay que vivir, y a veces hay que sufrir” (Brother, love isn’t always what it seems. Sometimes you need to live, and sometimes, you need to suffer), Santa Rosa recites before the song’s surprising transition. 

Meanwhile, “UUU” in collaboration with English-Ghanaian rapper Stormzy is a saucy Brazilian funk; “PQBL” brings back the timeless Bad Bunny-assisted “La Canción”; and “KLK” is a club-ready, electro-merengue. “This project is all about the art of putting all the music you love in one place. Whether it’s a sad song, a salsa or an old-school reggaeton,” Balvin tells Billboard via email.

Mixteip follows the release of the Rayo album released last August, which debuted on the Top Latin Albums chart at No. 13. Rayo marked his sixth studio album following La Familia (2013), Energía (2016), Vibras (2018), Colores (2020), and José (2021).

Stream and listen to Mixteip below: