Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10
It is perhaps hard to believe that Columbian superstar Shakira has been performing and writing music for as long as she has. The simple incorruptibility that she wears as if a badge of honour, the tight grip she keeps on her music like a lioness keeping a watchful wary eye on her young; is not for sale, even though many an executive might try their damnedest to flaunt her appeal. Sometimes it works, the odd breakthrough the tough Columbian feminine exterior and on those occasions the music lacks soul but for the most part you can always rely on some good old fashioned pop with the big heavy hint of Latino thrown in for good measure.
Nothing exemplifies this more than in Shakira’s 10th studio album, eponymously titled, and the first one to contain lyrics in English, for the North American and British market you can only presume, since She Wolf in 2009.
With an album that sees collaborations with the likes of Blake Shelton and Rihanna, the move back to releasing an album in English might seem a logical one, however the overall feel loses something, something tangible, earthy and fitting.
Whilst all the hype of the album will naturally be drawn to the duet with Rihanna and its perhaps unabashed video that accompanies it, the strongest songs on the record are Nunca Me Acuerdo de Olvidarte, the smashing You Don’t Care About Me, Dare (La La La) and the surprisingly delightful 23. The songs that encourage Shakira’s own growth over the last 20 years are more than encouraging and play with the crossover between the much loved Latin influence she has bought to the fore over the years and the pop/country aspect she has gained such an appeal for.
Tumultuous, wild and underneath turbulent, it steers just shy of chaotic by Shakira’s force of will of being able to stand her ground but even this very talented woman seemingly cannot have it her own way and upon listening to the album you cannot but help feel outside influences having their say on what should be a celebration of music of ten studio albums under her belt.
Shakira is for the most part enjoyable but as she approaches a time in her life in which reflections start, it still rankles surely, even for the fans, that some part of her life is being used for the obvious so called hits.
Ian D. Hall