Hermoso

Benny Blanco released Hermoso on August 14, 2026, marking his second solo studio album eight years after Friends Keep Secrets. Distributed through his Friends Keep Secrets imprint in partnership with Interscope Records, the project represents a shift toward Spanish-language music and Latin pop textures. The record follows his 2025 collaboration with Selena Gomez, titled I Said I Love You First, and features production work primarily by Blanco himself.

The album includes collaborations with Gomez, Becky G, the Marías, and rapper BB Trickz. The lead single "Joven y Salvaje" dropped on July 10, 2026, signaling the bilingual direction of the full project. While some reports suggested a 15-track running order, Billboard coverage indicated an eight-song standard edition, leaving the exact final count open to interpretation between versions.

Critical reaction to Hermoso was immediate and divided. Critics focused heavily on the cover art featuring Blanco in an exaggerated mask, which sparked accusations of cultural appropriation from observers who viewed it as a caricature of Latino culture. Defenders countered that Blanco's history of championing Latino artists and his political activism demonstrated genuine appreciation. The Needle Drop published a review shortly after release describing the project as "BAD," highlighting a gap between fan enthusiasm and critical consensus regarding the execution of the Latin fusion concept. [edit]