In this week’s column, I will discuss Shakira’s latest album La Mujeres Ya No Lloran (translation: Women no longer cry) that I am currently obsessed with, and briefly give my thoughts on a song-by-song basis.

I’m not exactly a Rolling Stones reporter, but I’ll try my best to capture the spirit of these songs in the written word. Besides, I went to Georgia for college–music is everything up there! (Right behind college football and an abundance of Zaxby’s locations, of course).

Track list Puntería (ft. Cardi B)

• Very catchy tune, but Cardi B’s verse is corny, in my opinion. Maybe it’ll grow on me, who knows (probably not). 3 stars/5 

La Fuerte (ft. Bizarrap)

• A fun Euro-disco house tune to sing along in car rides. Bizarrap’s production + Shakira’s vocals and lyricism = 5 stars/5 

Tiempo Sin Verte

• A bittersweet break-up song for those who wanted their relationship to last longer than it did. The song’s vibe reminds me of a long-lost early 2000s pop hit. 5 stars/5 

Cohete (ft. Rauw Alejandro)

• Anything with Rauw Alejandro is a Top 40 radio hit nowadays, and with good reason: he and Shakira teamed up to create a light and breezy synth-pop tune that you might hear in a Zara fitting room. 4 stars/5 

Entre Paréntesis (ft. Grupo Frontera)

• I love it when Shakira writes songs with Mexican artists or features Mexican-inspired instrumentals like the mariachi beats in her song Ciega, Sordomuda (1998). Grupo Frontera is a regional Mexican band based out of Texas, and they help Shakira make a sad breakup song a catchy bar anthem. 5 stars/5.

Cómo, Dónde, y Cuándo

• This song is my personal favorite off the album. The lyrics and instrumentals remind me of Shakira’s album Pies Descalzos-- that rough indie rock vibe that she first started out with. A song I’ll sing my heart out while dodging crazy drivers on Truman Parkway. on I-95. 5 stars/5.

Nassau

• A lovey-dovey, Afro-beats-inspired tune that is perfect for my Spring Break that doesn’t exist. 5 stars/5.

Última

• Shakira said that this song was the last break-up song that she’ll write on you-know- who, and I have to say–it’s probably the best one (even though the others are catchier to sing). A soft piano ballad with lyrics that hit the soul as my eyes shed some tears under the springtime sun (it’s allergy season, I swear!). 5 stars/5 

Te Felicito (ft. Rauw Alejandro)

• This was released as a single a while back, I believe. A standard reggaeton bop. 4 stars/5.

Monotonía (ft. Ozuna)

• This was also released as a single, and I prefer it to Te Felicito, personally. Salsa- inspired instrumentals and a snappy rap breakdown by Shak! 5 stars/5.

Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol 53, with Bizarrap

• If this isn’t the best diss of an ex in pop history, it has to be at least in the Top Ten. A word to the wise: don’t cheat on a Grammy-Award winning musician and international pop sensation. 5 stars/5.

TQG (ft. Karol G)

• A break-up bop pa’ las nenas! Great for singing with the girls on a night out. 5 stars/5.

Acróstico

• A super-sweet song by Shakira to her kids, Sasha and Milan–and they even sing on the track! So adorable and sweet! 5 stars/5.

Copa Vacía (ft. Manuel Turizo)

• Manuel Turizo is probably one of my favorite male reggaeton artists (it’s a small list, to be fair) so hearing him on this song did not disappoint. 5 stars/5.

El Jefe (ft. Fuerza Regida)

• Another collab with a regional Mexican band! Not a break-up song though, but a song about dreaming to be rich, and sticking it to “the Man”! Catchy AF. 5 stars/5.

Andrea Gutierrez is the editor of the Bryan County News.