She Wolf By Shakira

It would be nice if, when she says she’s releasing an English album, Shakira did just that instead of including several Spanish versions of the same English songs on each album. If you’re going to be a crossover artist then you should do it properly instead of just straddling the linguistic fence. But nonetheless, on her sixth studio album, She Wolf, the Colombian pop singer does just that. (“Loba”, “Lo Hecho Esta Hecho” and “Anos Luz” all fall into the above category).

However, all of the songs on the album – both Spanish and English, are excellently done and bring us some interesting collaborations that prove that Shakira’s music carries more weight in the pop world with each and every album she releases.

These collaborations in the form of “Did It Again” featuring Kid Cudi, “Spy” featuring Wyclef Jean – a track that is nowhere near as catchy or addictive as their previous joint effort, “Hips Don’t Lie,” and “Give It Up To Me” featuring Lil Wayne – a sultry track driven by seductive drumbeats and top-class musical chemistry between the two artists.

Despite an increase in synth overlaying her vocals and a never-ending dance beat, Shakira also pulls off many repeatable tracks on her own. The first single and title track, “She Wolf,” is strangely addictive as Shakira’s wolf cries sound off create a great atmosphere. “Why Wait” and “Mon Amour” are soaring dance tunes, while we’re delivered a light-hearted tale on a love song accompanied by an other-worldly beat on “Gypsy.”

“Long Time,” “Good Stuff,” and “Men In This Town” can be given a miss though.

Overall, She Wolf finds Shakira having moved much further into the dance beat/club pop genre than with any other music we’ve heard from her before. If you look that direction that pop music is taking then this album will please you to no end. But it would be nice if she put a little less bass and a little more emotion into her next release.