*** Julio Iglesias, “Noche de Cuatro Lunas,” Columbia.

After selling 250 million records worldwide, what’s an aging Latin playboy to do? How about trying to prove that the old lion can still roar? The result is a major aesthetic overhaul on this obsessively calculated, slightly frigid but ultimately satisfying Spanish-language pop album.

Iglesias has put his considerable resources to good use, hiring composer and producer Robi Rosa to provide the Midas touch that he brought to Ricky Martin. He also engaged Mexican heartthrob Alejandro Fernandez in a syrupy duet and acknowledged the talent of young Spanish singer-songwriter Alejandro Sanz by singing two of his tunes.

Despite all maneuvering to become more contemporary, the best moment here is one not associated with youth. When Iglesias sings his own lyric on “Gozar la Vida”--”I’ve survived so many wars / I’ve grown tired of crying / And now that I’m back / I want to live more”--he can almost make you sympathize with his bittersweet ennui over his lavish life.

Iglesias also performs two songs from Ruben Blades’ “Tiempos” album, and while the soulful Panamanian poet and the manicured Spanish lover are an unlikely combination, the pairing points out both the enduring quality of Blades’ craft and Iglesias’ desire to transcend his genre.

** 1/2 Resorte, “[XL],” Universal Latino.

The distorted sound and raucous party anthems on this Mexican quartet’s second album will satisfy fans of fellow rap-rockers Molotov, but Resorte (which plays on Sunday at the Whisky) needs some serious help in the subtext department. The lyrics may not be illuminating, but Control Machete producer Jason Roberts helps the cause by embellishing tracks such as the excellent “Puro Rock” with a glossy patina of pure testosterone.