On Shakira’s latest album, She Wolf, the singer follows Cyndi Lauper’s mantra: She just wants to have fun. And fortunately for listeners, the fun translates through the music, especially because the LP contains more dance tracks than any of Shakira’s previous albums.
That’s not to say that the album is perfect, because that’s not the case. The album’s purpose is to serve as a good time, and it delivers.
She Wolf begins with the title track that’s been playing on the radio for months, but the song is a really good way to start the album. It’s a little funky with that strong bass line and is most definitely a dance track, setting the tone the rest of the album. Also, it features Shakira’s famous vocal range, which goes from high-pitched to deep and sultry.
“She Wolf” is also an appropriate ambassador for the rest of the album because it’s a little bit absurd. The howling and heavy breathing may sound a bit silly, but damn, the effects make for a good song.
Quirkiness is a big part of She Wolf‘s appeal. Shakira can take advantage of her sensuous voice and subsequently master her sexuality in the songs, but she is also capable of writing some material that is quite funny and enjoyable.
On “Mon Amour” she sings of an ex-lover who’s now on a vacation with a new girlfriend. That just doesn’t sit well with Shakira, so she tells the track’s subject that she hopes “the French fleas eat you both alive/ And your room smells/ And the toilet doesn’t flush/ And locals treat you mean/ And the service takes too long.”
The lyrics are only the sugar on top of this quality song, as it’s really a rock-driven track with strong, guitar-laden verses. The chorus is also very rock-oriented, and the instrumentation wouldn’t be too out of place on the next Killers record.
She Wolf is also great because Shakira, the album’s co-producer and one its songwriters, really lets the other producers’ influences take control of songs. The Neptunes are responsible for six tracks and their signature sounds are evident from the increased use of Middle Eastern musical styles to the general increase in tighter, club-oriented beats.
However, one song they produce, “Why Wait,” is decent on the first few listens, but it just doesn’t feel as if it’ll have much staying power.
The innovative “Spy” produced by and featuring Wyclef Jean. It shows that the pair, who previously collaborated on the 2006 smash “Hips Don’t Lie,” still work well together, even with the somewhat experimental tone of the song. The track is a throwback to 1960s and ‘70s soul music and brings out the funk in both Wyclef and Shakira.
“Spy” is one of the songs that reflects Shakira’s willingness to take some chances musically, almost all of which pay off on the record. “Men In This Town,” a song about searching for love in Los Angeles, boasts some clever lyrics (“The good ones are gone or not able/ And Matt Damon’s not meant for me”) while replacing Shakira’s usual backing music with production that sounds more like electronica than pop. The bridge, on which Shakira manipulates her voice to be very grainy, then high-pitched and dream-like, makes the song stand out. She made a risky move by going so far out of her musical comfort zone, but Shakira successfully challenges herself.
Another highlight track is the Timbaland-produced “Give It Up To Me,” which also featuresa great verse by Lil Wayne, who doesn’t seem to slow down. It’s no wonder the song was originally recorded for Timbaland’s Shock Value, Vol. 2, as it sounds very much like some of his collaborations with Nelly Furtado. It’s a catchy dance track that mixes in well with She Wolf.
Even in an album of mostly strong songs, there is definitely a standout: “Gypsy” is the only song that shouldn’t be considered a dance song, but it should not be written off for that reason.
It sounds like a silly tune that makes no sense whatsoever most of the time, with lyrics such as “Crayons and dolls pass me by/ Walking gets too boring, when you learn how to fly.” But the track’s distinctiveness makes it terrific. The music is anchored by acoustic guitar plucks and becomes a mid-tempo, Eastern European-sounding track by the end. Also, the chorus includes the line “I might steal your clothes and wear them if they fit me” — how cool is that?
Keep in mind, She Wolf is nothing more than a pop record. It’s not supposed to make listeners ponder the state of global affairs, and the lyrics aren’t challenging the government. Shakira is a pop artist who likes to dance and make dance-worthy music.
Job well done.
klucas@umdbk.com
RATING: 4 out of 5 stars
