Shakira, the 47-year-old Colombian superstar, has released her first album in seven years. Titled ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,’ which translates to “Women Don’t Cry Anymore” in English, the album is a reflection of her most devastating celebrity breakup with her ex, Gerard Piqué. Although Shakira memorably roasts Piqué in some savage tracks, the album is not focused on revenge. Instead, it is an empowering reflection of her emotions through genres such as pop, EDM, rock, Afrobeats, and música Mexicana.
The breakup of Shakira and Piqué was global news in June 2022 after an 11-year relationship. Piqué went public with his new girlfriend, Clara Chia Marti, shortly after the split. Shakira uses the new album to document the relationship’s demise through a series of songs that are at the album’s heart.
The album’s most insightful moment is the heartbreaking ballad ‘Última,’ where Shakira reflects on what went wrong while playing the piano. The song offers the most insight into the Shakira and Piqué’s breakup. She also collaborates with Grupo Frontera and Adelaido “Payo” Solís III on ‘Entre Paréntesis,’ embracing música Mexicana. The ballad ‘Acróstico,’ featuring Shakira’s two sons with Piqué, is the album’s most personal and striking moment. They play the piano and sing with their mother about the healing power of love.
Shakira’s career spans four decades, pushing the envelope for Latin pop music and making the genre a global event. What distinguishes this album is that it is entirely in Spanish, unlike her previous records which had at least one song in English. With her vulnerability and versatility showing in the new album, Shakira demonstrates that the art of catharsis through song has no limits.
‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran’ was released on March 22, 2024, through Sony. The album has genres that span across pop, EDM, rock, Afrobeats, and música Mexicana. Shakira uses the album to document her emotions through the demise of her relationship with Piqué
Read the full article on NME here: Read More