Animal Nocturno cover

Animal Nocturno

Ricardo Arjona · 1993

47 min · 12 tracks · pop music

A blend of poetic lyricism and melodic pop, weaving tales of love and longing through rich instrumentation.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Mujeres — This track highlights Arjona's lyrical prowess, exploring themes of femininity and admiration in a catchy melody that resonated widely with listeners.
  • →
    Libre Start here — Opening the album with an anthemic declaration of freedom, this song sets the tone for Arjona's introspective yet passionate exploration of life and love.
  • →
    Jesús verbo no sustantivo — A standout track that delves into philosophical and religious themes, showcasing Arjona's ability to provoke thought through his songwriting while maintaining a captivating musical backdrop.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

54 /100
Foothills
Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong lyrical themes and melodic structures, marking a significant step in Arjona's career.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent use of acoustic guitar and piano throughout, creating a warm, melodic backdrop for the lyrics.
  • Most tracks employ a verse-chorus structure, with lyrical storytelling that often shifts perspectives between verses.
  • Several songs incorporate orchestral elements, adding depth to the arrangements and enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • romantic evening reflections
  • introspective late-night vibes
  • lyrical storytelling journeys
  • gentle background ambiance

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Solidified Arjona's fanbase and achieved high chart positions in Latin America.
Themes
feminine admiration· nocturnal freedom· philosophical reflections
Career context
Released in 1993, Animal Nocturno was Ricardo Arjona's third studio album, following his earlier works that established him in Latin pop. At this point, Arjona was beginning to carve out a unique space within the genre, showcasing his signature storytelling style and paving the way for his future commercial successes.
Stylistic neighbors
Alejandro Sanz· Pablo Alborán· Juanes

Tracklist

  • 1 Libre Start here 3:39
  • 2 Primera vez 3:47
  • 3 Mujeres 3:27
  • 4 Tiempo en una botella 2:28
  • 5 Cómo olvidarte 3:44
  • 6 Solo 3:55
  • 7 Baila conmigo 3:47
  • 8 Quién diría 3:55
  • 9 Te encontraré 4:30
  • 10 Así de ilógico 3:59
  • 11 Animal nocturno 3:55
  • 12 Jesús verbo no sustantivo 6:46

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata