Shakira’s self-titled album came out on March 25th and it is
what everybody’s talking about. There are a lot of mixed opinions out there about
it but when Billboard gives it an 88/100 rating and in less that 24hrs the
album has topped the iTunes charts in over 60 countries, there must be
something really good here.
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| Shakira on the red carpet during her album release party for Target / Photo: AP |
“SHAKIRA.” is a lot of firsts for la Barranquillera: It is
the first time she has let other people write songs for her, the first time she
has done an entire country song (along with her fellow coach on The Voice,
Blake Shelton), the first time she has collaborated with many artists on songs
for an album (Rihanna, Blake, canadian reggae artist Magic!) and the first time
she had to juggle between being a mom and a global superstar. But in the end I
must say that it all paid off and with this album she is going to be nothing
but successful.
In my opinion the album is very solid and very adult. It is very
different from what she’s put out before in her previous English-language
albums where they were trying to sell her as a provocative Latina, who’s got
the moves and sometimes was too smart for her own good. I am very happy with
the fact that the album is less Hispanic-driven and more global. Yes, she is on
The Voice and is kind of everywhere in the United States right now (Target, Oral
B, etc.) but musically after “Hips Don’t Lie” (2005) –and maybe “Waka Waka”
(2010)- she still has things to prove in this country and this album is perfect
for that particular purpose.
Just like every other average Colombian, I am very aware of
Shakira’s entire music repertoire, and “SHAKIRA.” brings back the way the
artist used to sound when she first became famous in Latin America (When they
used to say she was the latin Alanis Morrisette). When I first listened to this
album I was pleasantly surprised with the number of songs that were
reggae-influenced just like she did with her album “Pies Descalzos” (1996)
where you could hear island sounds here and there. Also with how much of an
established artist she sounds. I think this album is the perfect mix between
the Shakira from before and after “Laundry Service” (2001).
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| Shakira promoting her album on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. March 2014. |
Check out what I think about each song on "SHAKIRA." and don't forget to leave your opinion on the comments section:
1. CAN’T REMEMBER TO
FORGET YOU (F. RIHANNA)
The standard physical copy of the album opens with the first
official promotional single from the album. Controversy and lack of promotion
aside, all it did was to let everybody know that Shakira was back with new
music and to make people talk about her. It worked and Rihanna is perfect for
the vibe of the song. Gladly, this didn’t necessarily mean that the rest of the
album would sound like it.
"What I tend to do when it comes to you / I see only the good, selective memory"
The second official promotional single, of which its video
also came out yesterday and you can watch below, is one of Shakira’s grandest
songs. It feels magnificent. It takes us back to her amazing ballads, except
this time with a little more edge and rock attitude. Although it was
co-produced by Shakira, she didn’t write it and I am okay with. Honestly if she
really wants to become an actual hit-maker with her songs in English, she needs
to allow herself to be guided.
For more on what i think about "Empire", check out my previous entry HERE
"You're my wildfire every single night / We are alive / And the stars make love to the universe"
Also not written by her, I must say it is one of my favorite
songs from the album. Shakira herself has described this one as her “most
alternative song” and I can totally see why. It sounds like nothing she’s done
before (or maybe like something that would fit in “Oral Fixation Vol II” in
2005) and like many I also wonder if this song is about her Ex Antonio de la
Rúa, but then again, she didn’t write it.
"Oh, baby, how we used to dance / I couldn't separate from your hands / Now they don't even play that song anymore / You don't care about me"
4. DARE (LA LA LA)
If you’re looking for the hip-shaker, the crowd mover Shakira,
this is as much as you are going to get. This is the only song on the album
that is supposed to make you move like she has done with “She Wolf”, “Did It
Again” and “Loca” in the past. It is very upbeat, it is global like Shakira has
stated in previous interviews. This song is supposed to be used for the FIFA
WORLD CUP 2014 Soundtrack, which is why she made the Brazilian remix of it.
Fun Fact:
Before Milán came into the picture, this was going to be the first single of
Shakira’s new album and a music video for it was made in Portugal a couple of
years ago. It was known then as: Truth or Dare (On The Dancefloor).
"Is it true that you love me? / I dare you to kiss me / With everyone watching"
5. CUT ME DEEP (F.
MAGIC!)
This song is a standout on the album. It’s amazing. It
reminds me a lot of how Rock and Pop in Spanish used to sound back in the late
90’s/early 00’s although its very reggae driven. This was the first song (apart
from “Can’t Remember To Forget You” and “Empire”) from the album that made it
into my iPod. You MUST listen to it.
"If there's love in your heart / Let me leave now in peace / You know you took it too far".
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| Gerard, Shakira and their son Milán. Photo: Facebook |
6. 23
The song about Gerard Piqué, her baby daddy. It’s called 23 because that’s how old he was
when they met and he is now 27. She is exactly 10 years older than him since
they share birthdays. Shakira sounds very honest and vulnerable in the strings
driven song and it also features baby Milan at the end. This song is to Piqué
what “Día de Enero” was to Antonio de la Rúa.
"There were nights that I stayed up crying / Cause I was certain that things wouldn't change / But then you came and I saw you smiling /Just like an angel, so beautifully strange".
7. THE ONE THING.
Another song very close to Shakira’s heart, this one is a
love song for her firstborn Milan Piqué Mebarak. I think the song speaks for itself
about what having him in her life means to la Colombiana. It really is a very
happy song.
"You turn the darkness into sun light / I'm a lucky girl, yeah, I'm a lucky girl / And if I mess up everything someday / I won't hide my head in shame / Cause you're the one thing that I got right".
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| Shakira & Blake in the studio / Photo: Shakira.com |
8. MEDICINE (F. BLAKE
SHELTON)
The very first country song ever written by Shakira. A very
smart move by her and her team in trying to reach out to a wider audience in
the US. I may not see it getting the video treatment but I can totally see it
as a hit in the radios of this country. Also a performance on The Voice should
be in order.
"You are the white flag / Make me surrender / Want you so bad / Baby don't stop what you started / Don't ever be done, oh".
9. SPOTLIGHT
Shakira has said this is one of her most personal songs on the
album due to her and Pique’s lifestyle but I think she is leaving out all the
Antonio de la Rúa references on it: that first verse? Defending her relationship with no one asking
her about it? The second verse? Anyone…?
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| Shakira and Coldplay's lead singer, Chris Martin filming The Voice. Photo: Shakira.com |
10. BROKEN RECORD
Another power ballad on the album and a personal favorite.
It is another one about her baby daddy. It seems like Gerard brings out the
best in her. Have you seen her in interviews talking about him? Her face glows
and her eyes shimmer with joy. It sounds like the ultimate declaration of love
from her to him, to end any doubts he may have about her intentions with him
and their relationship.
"They said we wouldn't make it / But look at how we've beating all the odds / I just need you to be aware of that"
11. NUNCA ME ACUERDO
DE OLVIDARTE
Shakira’s solo Spanish version of her duet with Rihanna.
Even though the album doesn’t really need it, this is her way of telling her
Spanish speaking fan base that they matter to her and of course she won’t
forget about them.
12. LOCA POR TI
She has said this is one of Gerard favorite songs in Catalan
and this new version with new arrangements was made as a surprise for him. After
listening to it you can’t deny she is truly madly deeply in love with him. She
may have said on The Voice that she doesn’t drink, but the vibe of this song is
undeniably bar-like. I can totally picture her all by herself drinking a glass
(or a bottle) of wine in the name of her love for her baby daddy.
"En la arena escribí / Lo que te llego amar / Y aún no lo borra / Ni la sal de el mar"
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| Shakira and Gerard during her album release party in Barcelona. Photo: Facebook |
13. LA LA LA (DELUXE
EDITION BONUS TRACK)
The Spanish version of “Dare (La La La)”. I love her accent
on this song, even though I can’t quite figure out if it is her accent from her native
Barranquilla or the one she has adopted from living in Spain. She clearly knows
what she’s doing by including this version on the album. Its definitely a
summer anthem. If only Colombia would win the World Cup. Let’s be honest.
"Hay italianos, españoles / Colombianos y todos presentes / Esta es América, la Del Sur / Y aquí si hay cama / Pá tanta gente."
14. CHASING SHADOWS
(DELUXE EDITION BONUS TRACK)
Written by the amazing Sia Furler and Fernando Garibay this
song is a fan favorite. It sounds very repetitive just like any other song by
Lady Gaga that Garibay has worked on but it also sounds very 80’s. Moreover it sounds
like something that would be on either “Oral Fixation Vol. 2” or “She Wolf” but
in a good way (It is no secret how low sales were for both albums).
"Night time / And I am back in your arms / Where all my dreams are brought to life / And I know that it won't be long / For we can't hide / From the love that burns this strong"
15. THAT WAY (DELUXE
EDITION BONUS TRACK)
Another declaration of love. A beautiful piano-driven power
ballad from Shakira to Piqué. About this song she has stated that it describes
the place in life where she is right now and I think that after being unhappy
with her ex for so long, she deserves it. After all, she is just human.
"Let's just depart from the notion / That I love you too much / And I'm here to stay / I'm not giving up / I'm not running away / So we're going to leave it that way"
GET "SHAKIRA." ON iTUNES BY CLICKING ON THE ALBUM COVER BELOW
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