Mexican pop icon Cristian Castro is making a comeback with new music. The singer, affectionately known as "El Gallito Feliz," revealed on Despierta América (Univision's morning show) that he is preparing to release his first studio album of original songs in nearly a decade.
The project will be produced by Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning Puerto Rican musician Eduardo Cabra, best known as half of the groundbreaking duo Calle 13. Castro teased that the record will feature a mix of reggaeton pop, cumbia pop, and, of course, the soaring ballads that have defined his career. It will mark his 17th studio album and the follow-up to his 2018 tribute to Juan Gabriel.
A Family Affair with Los Hilos del Pasado
Alongside the big album announcement, Castro introduced his new single Los Hilos del Pasado, a heartfelt ballad written by his cousin Fernanda Castro. The song doubles as the main theme of Univision's upcoming telenovela of the same name, starring Bárbara López and Emmanuel Palomares, with the return of Yadhira Carrillo to television alongside David Zepeda and Eduardo Santamarina.
Cristian shares the mic with Fernanda on the track, making it a true family collaboration. "Singing with my cousin has been a pleasure," Castro said. He also revealed that years ago he encouraged Fernanda to study music seriously and focus on songwriting. "That's what I recommended when she asked me, and I'm proud she listened," he added.
The Güero Castro Connection
The musical collaboration is deeply rooted in family ties. The telenovela's producer, José Alberto "El Güero" Castro, Cristian's uncle and the brother of his mother, legendary actress Verónica Castro, was the one who suggested Fernanda's song for the series.
"When I heard it, I loved it right away and immediately thought of Cristian," El Güero told ENSTARZ Latino and The Latin Times. "I passed it to him, and not only did he agree to sing it, but he was the one who proposed that Fernanda join him. That's a real luxury."
A New Chapter
Los Hilos del Pasado will premiere on Univision on September 10, and Castro's full-length album is expected in the coming months. With Cabra at the helm and a bold mix of genres, Cristian Castro seems ready to reinvent himself while staying true to the powerful voice that made him one of Latin pop's most enduring stars.
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