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Shakira – Shakira album review

Latin superstar Shakira last released an English-language album back in 2009 with She Wolf. It sold over 2 million copies worldwide and since then Shakira has released Spanish-language album Sale el Sol in 2010, had a baby and joined The Voice US as a coach. Now sheā€™s back with her new self-titled album, which is her tenth overall, and ready to take on the global charts once again.

Shakira hasnā€™t gotten off to the best of starts launching without a big hit single to piggyback on. The albumā€™s first track, Canā€™t Remember To Forget You featuring Rihanna, didnā€™t perform as strongly as weā€™re sure the star and her label hoped stalling in the UK at number 11 despite a big push and a saucy video. Regardless Shakira is an international star with such a big fanbase that this mis-step shouldnā€™t throw the album campaign off track.

After listening through Shakira several times, it strikes you that the new album suffers from the same problems that much of the starā€™s back catalogue has. The album is uneven jumping from sound-to-sound leaving the listener confused as to who Shakira is as an artist. Second single Empire is a million miles away from Canā€™t Remember To Forget You and sees Shakira taking on a more downtempo indie sound that is reminiscent of 90s female singer-songwriters.

Across the album Shakira tries her hand at EDM on Dare (La La La), packs an explosive chorus into highlight Spotlight and teams up with The Voice US colleague Blake Shelton on the rockier sound of Medicine. The autobiographical 23 is one of the highlights on the album taking Shakira back to her folksier roots.

One of the albumā€™s stronger moments comes on the plinky-plonky You Donā€™t Care About Me which sounds like a cut that could have been on the starā€™s breakthrough album Laundry Service. The lyrics are cutting as Shakira sings, ā€˜you donā€™t care if I die, if you did you would have spared my lifeā€™ which are pretty strong words.

Honestly we prefer out Shakira singing in Spanish and there are a couple of Spanish-language tracks on the album. Nunca Me Acuerdo De Olvidarte (Canā€™t Remember To Forget You) sees Shakira tackle her lead single on her own and it sounds better for it whilst Loca Por Ti (Crazy For You) is an emotive and rather beautiful acoustic-led ballad.

The deluxe edition of the album comes with three bonus tracks; La La La (Brazil 2014), Chasing Shadows and That Way. We can see why the tracks didnā€™t make the original tracklisting as all three are pretty forgettable. That Way is the best of the bunch as it showcases the power of Shakiraā€™s distinctive vocal.

Shakiraā€™s unevenness means that this album isnā€™t one of her finest. Whilst it has some strong moments, overall itā€™s a little bit disappointing. We like Shakira when sheā€™s at her best bonkers pop sound think Whenever Wherever, Objection (Tango) and She Wolf. Thereā€™s nothing on here that comes close to those gems but Shakiraā€™s vocal ensures that the album holds your interest. We hope she comes back with a more cohesive and bolder offering on her next effort.

Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip is the owner and Editor of Entertainment Focus, and the Managing Director of PiƱata Media. With over 19 years of journalism experience, Pip has interviewed some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world. He is also a qualified digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience.

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