Nearly a year after the release of her sixth studio album, "She Wolf," Shakira presents to the world her most recent work, a bilingual album titled "Sale el Sol."
"Sale el Sol" which translates to "the sun comes out" in English, sees Shakira focusing less on the electro-pop genre that defined "She Wolf." Instead, she returns to her musical roots, the same rock-influenced beats and romantic lyrics that brought her to fame in Latin America almost 15 years ago.
The opening song, "Sale el Sol," for example, features the heavy guitar licks prominent throughout her sophomore album, "¿Dónde est n los Ladrones?" (Where are the Thieves?). Ballad "Antes de las Seis (Before 6)" recalls the romantic lyrics of which most of her debut album, "Pies Descalzos (Bare Feet)," was composed.
Although "Sale el Sol" is aimed primarily at the Spanish-speaking market, the album also includes English songs. The Merengue-influenced "Loca," which features U.K. rapper Dizzee Rascal, currently serves as the album's lead single. In the song, Shakira professes that she's "crazy, but you like it, 'cause the kind of girl like me--they're running out of at the market."
A Spanish version of the song also exists. The music video for both versions of the song can be viewed on YouTube.
For fans of Shakira's 2005 hit "Hips Don't Lie," this song is guaranteed to please. Like the record-breaking song, "Loca" incorporates just enough Spanish words for the average American to sing along to and feel cool without becoming overwhelmed or confused.
One treat included on the album is the song "Waka, Waka" (This Time for Africa), which served as the official anthem for the 2010 World Cup. Also included is a cover of U.K. indie band, The XX's song "Islands," and a guest collaboration by Cuban rapper, Pitbull on the song "Rabiosa (Rabid)"
While Sale el Sol proves to be an album that is retrospective of Shakira's early musical career -- one that her longtime fans will appreciate most -- the Colombian superstar has proven time that her albums are not so one-dimensional. Her music has a bit of everything to offer to everyone.
"Sale el Sol" finds Shakira re-visiting the old ingredients of her music to create a new and exciting recipe. It will prove to satisfy old fans while reeling in new ones, Spanish-speaking or not.
Shakira has countless upcoming concerts coming up, and it’s your golden chance to buy Shakira tickets. So don’t miss out, as opportunities like this don’t come about every day!
