Colombian pop singer Shakira‘s ninth album, Sale el Sol, translates to English as “The Sun Comes Out.”
One of the album’s more upbeat numbers, “Addicted to You,” is an easy favorite for its danceable beat. Shakira infuses her Colombian heritage with cultures from around the world. On “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” African calypso drums play as Shakira sings the 2010 World Cup song. “Rabiosa” (which features rapper Pitbull) and “Loca” listeners provide a taste of reggaeton, and Shakira successfully raps throughout.
But Shakira also gives listeners a taste of the purity and vulnerability of her voice in love songs like “Devocion” and “Antes de las Seis.” The latter might move some listeners to tears.
Sale el Sol, in general, is certainly sunny. Shakira took a risk by producing the bulk of the record herself, and it paid off. The record is certainly a more personal project, and it shows that Shakira took her fans into consideration, and maybe even is attempting to reach out to new audiences. Certainly more highly praised than last year’s She Wolf, Shakira dances back into our good graces with this one.
