Shakira // Shakira

Standard
Buy @ Amazon.co.uk | Download @ iTunes

Deluxe
Buy @ Amazon.co.uk | Download @ Amazon.co.uk
Download @ iTunes

Has it really been 4 years since Shakira’s last album, Sale El Sol? Seems a bit longer to be honest but we need not wait any longer as her new album, simply titled Shakira, is now here for our listening pleasure.

Before we start, we should point out that in regards to track listing, the physical & download have the same tracks just in a slightly different order but for the purpose of this review, we’ll be referring to deluxe download.

Opening with a samba beat is Dare (La La La) that feels like it’s a little bit of everything from Shakira’s past. Next it’s the first single from the release in the form of Can’t Remember To Forget You featuring Rihanna whilst Empire brings a mix of soft notes flowing into big powerful ones in the chorus.

You Don’t Care About Me takes a dark turn with a tale of a toxic and unreciprocated love. But from the dark it’s time to get down with a wee bit of reggae in Cut Me Deep featuring MAGIC! before we hit the rock with a Avril Lavigne sounding track in the form of Spotlight

A beautiful guitar driven track comes in the form of Broken Record before we go a little country along side fellow The Voice judge Blake Shelton with Medicine which proves to a great combination. Continuing with the guitar is on the beautiful ballad 23 with a cheeky little appearance from Shakira’s baby at the end.
And to finish this trio of guitar tracks is The One Thing.

On the standard release, the last three tracks are in Spanish; Nunca Me Acuerdo De Olvidarte (Can’t Remember To Forget You), Loca Por Ti & La La La

On the deluxe side of things, there are an additional three tracks starting with Chasing Shadows which reminds us a little of something that the Eurthymics would release while That Way is a beautiful piano driven ballad. Finally we have….wait for it….yes, another version of La La La this time subtitled Brasil 2014 and featuring Carlinhos Brown and of course is her offering for the up coming World Cup. The question for this track is what version came first? The Spanish, the English or the World Cup version….

Shakira herself describes this as an album of going back to her roots but there is still the chance to hear a sound that has run through many of her past works. Hopefully this album may be more accessible than Sale El Sol (as that was predominantly Spanish vocals) and we feel that there is a little something for everyone here. Will be interesting to see where things go from here.

Rating: 4/5