Review
“Shakira”
By Shakira
Shakira’s domination in America has dwindled since she became a hip-swiveling goddess of festive pop hits such as “Whenever, Wherever” and “Hips Don’t Lie.”
Already a superstar in her native Colombia, the multitalented singer-songwriter-instrumentalist took the American pop scene by storm when she made her U.S. language debut in 2001 with personal, rich songs. But her recent albums haven’t matched the spark, edge and charisma from her work a decade ago, and her new self-titled release, while enjoyable at times, doesn’t showcase this Grammy-winning, Golden Globe-nominated superstar in the right light.
“Shakira,” her 10th album, features the 37-year-old taking a back seat as lead songwriter and producer, and that doesn’t come off as a wise move. “Dare (La La La),” helmed by Dr. Luke, Max Martin and others, sounds like a Jennifer Lopez song, and that’s not a compliment (sorry, Jenny). While Shakira’s stint as a judge on “The Voice” has been pleasurable to watch, her duet with fellow mentor Blake Shelton on the country-feeling “Medicine” is a bore.
Even the duet with Rihanna, the up-tempo lead single “Can’t Remember to Forget You,” comes off as a cry for a pop hit. The song lacks energy though two superstars are part of it, and the collaboration feels forced (Rihanna and Shakira are both signed to Roc Nation management).