Shakira doesn't play by the rules: The follow-up to her English-language debut, 2001's multiplatinum Laundry Service is the Spanish-language Fijacion Oral Vol. 1. For most (okay, Ricky Martin) that would spell career suicide. But the 28-year-old Colombian sensation seems to have no such concerns: Mainstream radio and MTV are even cranking her chest-jiggling jam La Tortura. And why not? The hot single tunes such as Escondite Ingles work in any language, mixing mad Latin percussion with big rock riffs and Caribbean rhythms. Imagine Def Leppard making an album in South America – except with a totally hot chick instead of five English guys in Union Jack shorts. And for those that aren't convinced, the second part, Oral Fixation Vol. 2 (completely in English), will be released this fall.

It's thrilling – in any language – to hear new music from Colombian superstar Shakira. The album has very diverse type of songs. There is La Tortura with reggaeton influences, the bossonova tune Obtener Un Si, the electronic La Pared with a beautiful acoustic version included as well, and the alt-rock song Lo Imprescindible. This album shows off Shakira's love of mixing styles to come up with unique songs all her own. As always, Shakira's beautiful and unusual lyrics can be found throughout the CD. Her bleating, biting voice is in fine form, and it gives the material an electric urgency. She's girlish and innocent during the glittering Dia de Enero and sensual and seductive amid the thundering beats of Lo Imprescindible. A talented stable of producers, including former Soda Stereo vocalist Gustavo Cerati, has swathed Shakira in rhythm-based arrangements. But the album's best moments come when Shakira channels her inner – and innate – rock goddess. La Tortura is a hurts-so-good break-up duet with Alejandro Sanz, and Escondite Ingles rides a beach-party guitar groove.

The swift ascent of Shakira's star is the stuff of Latin American legend. At the age of 13, she signed her first recording contract with Sony Music Colombia and released her first album Magia (Magic). After graduating from secondary school, Shakira decided to dedicate her life to the music, recording Peligro (Danger) and Pies Descalzos (Barefeet) in the years that followed. Later came a Grammy and two Latin Grammies, and in 2001, Shakira knocked the entire world off its feet with her first English album Laundry Service, which went on to sell over 12 million copies. Now, the maverick musician, singer, songwriter and producer is ready with a newly created opus of music in two languages. This album is a defining moment, a piece of work that takes the most diverse musical influences (folklore, Brazilian moods as well as rock, jazz, disco) and turns it into something completely of its own; the record even starts with a bit of chanson francais. Shakira is completely inimitable; she has the most erotic voice to be found in contemporary popular music, also she has the gift to write poetic, never trite lyrics. At a time when the music industry hails bloodless music as a revelation, Shakira's album is a lesson in creativity.

09.06.2005