#23 - In the Heights Ranking

My pick for number 23 on this list is "Atención".
Yeah, I think it was pretty obvious. 
DISCLAIMER: Spoilers ahead.

I'm not saying it's a boring song, because it really isn't. (It is pretty heartbreaking, in fact.)
Although this 54-seconds piece is set after a particularly cheerful song ("Carnaval del Barrio") and it serves its purpose quite well, at a technical level is no less than just a transition device.
Let's give it a quick analysis.

Atención, atención

Roll down your windows

Turn up your radios

Un momento, por favor

Atención, atención

Please drive slow

Let everybody know

Abuela Claudia passed away

At noon today

Here comes the first fancy word of this series:

･ﾟ✧Anaphora･ﾟ✧; which is the repetition of a word or a set of words in a literary composition. Here, the word "atención" is used four times, in Spanish. It's a really important choice, just so we don't forget one of the main points in the show: the use of a mixture between English and Spanish words, especially for Kevin. 

This song is way more calm compared to the previous one ("Carnaval del Barrio"), so it feels like a kick on the face. Mostly because of the fact that Abuela's death is forshadowed throughout the show, and when "Carnaval del Barrio" happens, it makes you feel like nothing can go wrong, if you read pretty well between the lines and you're already worried about Abuela Claudia. But then the music dies, and Nina appears on stage, grabs Usnavi and takes him to Abuela's apartment. 

Then, this happens, with the rest of the barrio still celebrating. 

This song is just a transition between a previous moment of happiness and a posterior instant of mourning. 

At first you don't know what has happened, but you know it must be bad, because the rhythm is so slow; you can almost feel your stomach sinking from the uncertainty this song gives. The news are revealed at the very ending of it, to relief said uncertainty with sadness. 

Despite being no longer than a minute, it serves its purpose quite well, and opens the door for a second wave of heartbreak, which is "Alabanza". But we'll get to discuss that some other time.

-A.