Admittedly, legal issues may have dominated the overall narrative surrounding Gerardo Ortiz in 2025. Still, few familiar with his body of work could deny that, on his boldly named 2023 album No Tengo Rival, the veteran artist reinforced his reputation as one of the most resilient singer-songwriters in música mexicana. Coming some two years later, his follow-up El Ejemplar continues along a similar path, with corridos and norteño songs that emphasize his exemplary talents. From the romantic playfulness of “Échame el Grito” to the bottom-of-a-bottle attitude shift of “Por Ahí, Por Ahí” with Código FN, he demonstrates that he’s lost none of his power in the decade since Hoy Más Fuerte and the decade and a half since Ni Hoy Ni Mañana. His range remains intact as well, showing a diversity of both sound and theme on tracks such as “Ay Cuernavaca,” “De Arriba Soy,” and “El Ranchito.” The arrangements are particularly noteworthy here, with album highlight “Afectado” building minimal beginnings into a fuller form befitting its lyrics.