Shakira. That name really means something special, doesn’t it? It just connects with so many people who love music. We often think about her very best albums. And honestly, how do reviews really show us how she grew as an artist? Asking that question takes us on such an interesting trip. It covers her whole amazing career path. We get to see how she changed over time. Her unique style always grabbed our attention. She mixes Latin sounds, pop, rock, and lots of other music styles. To be honest, it’s quite remarkable to see.
Let’s take a closer look at her most celebrated records. We’ll check out what the critics had to say. We’ll also look at her big commercial wins. These things really paint a picture of her growth. We can even pick out certain songs. Those particular songs really tell the story of her journey. Come on, let’s explore Shakira’s art together. It’s like watching her evolve through her albums.
Starting Out: Magia and Pies Descalzos
Shakira put out her very first album, Magia, way back in 1990. She was only 13 years old back then. This album was full of songs she wrote as a child. But Pies Descalzos, that was her real big break. It came out in 1995. That record truly put her name out there.
Pies Descalzos got so much critical praise. And it sold incredibly well too. More than five million copies around the world, actually. It had popular songs like ¿Dónde Estás Corazón?. Un Poco de Amor was on there too. The album really showed off her one-of-a-kind voice. Her lyrics felt very deep. They showed her Colombian roots. They also spoke about her personal life. Critics seemed to like her blend of pop and rock sounds. They pointed out the raw, real emotion in her music.
AllMusic, a music website, wrote about her voice. They called it distinctive and different in pop music. They felt her songs had a feeling that everyone could connect with. This early success really helped build who she was as an artist. It set her up for big changes later on.
Becoming a Global Star: Laundry Service
Okay, fast forward to 2001. Shakira gave the world Laundry Service. This was her very first album mostly in English. It was such a massive moment for her career. The album went on to sell a massive amount of copies. We’re talking more than 13 million worldwide. Huge hits like Whenever, Wherever came from that record. Underneath Your Clothes was also incredibly popular. These songs shot to the top of music charts everywhere.
Critics felt Laundry Service sounded really polished. They thought it was more mainstream, yes. Yet, somehow, it still kept that special Shakira touch. The album blended Latin rhythms. It mixed pop and rock sounds as well. This showed off all her many music influences. Rolling Stone magazine called it a brilliant mix of different sounds. They said it highlighted Shakira’s rare kind of talent. It even got a Grammy nomination. That was for Best Pop Vocal Album. You could see her recognition in the music world growing bigger and bigger.
Laundry Service doing so well made her a true global superstar. It was a really clear sign of how much she had grown. She really figured out how to make English music work for her. Honestly, that was a huge, challenging step to take.
Trying New Things: Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 and Oral Fixation, Vol. 2
In 2005, Shakira released Fijación Oral, Vol. 1. This album really made her art even stronger. It was sung mostly in Spanish. Critics just loved how deep the lyrics were. And the music on it was incredibly varied. The very first single was La Tortura. It featured the artist Alejandro Sanz. That song turned into a massive, massive hit. It reached the number one spot in so many different countries.
Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 sold over six million copies. It also won a Grammy Award. That was for Best Latin Pop Album. Critics were praising Shakira again. They saw how she could mix so many different styles. From reggaeton beats to traditional Latin sounds. The New York Times newspaper said it truly captured Latin culture. It also managed to connect with listeners from all kinds of backgrounds.
Then Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 came out right after. It was released that very same year, actually. She kept exploring making music in English. Hips Don’t Lie was on that record. It became easily one of her most famous songs ever. That single topped charts in 55 different countries. It became a huge cultural phenomenon, really.
This idea of putting out a double album was so smart. It really showed everyone Shakira’s incredible skill. She embraced her musical roots fully. But she also reached out to even more people globally. It proved her amazing growth as an artist. She mixed genres and languages so naturally and smoothly.
Showing Artistic Maturity: She Wolf and Sale el Sol
In 2009, Shakira released her album She Wolf. This album changed her sound yet again. It had much more electronic and dance music elements. It showed her power to change and adapt. The main song, She Wolf, received good reviews. It also sold pretty well around the world. It made it into the top ten in many different countries.
Critics saw Shakira experimenting here. She was definitely trying out new sounds with She Wolf. The Guardian newspaper called it a bold new direction for her. They said it showed her artistic maturity developing. The album received a Grammy nomination. That was for Best Pop Vocal Album too. It really solidified her place in the music world. She was clearly a leader in the industry now.
After She Wolf, the album Sale el Sol followed. That came out in 2010. This time, she went back to sounds closer to her Latin roots. Songs like Loca and Rabiosa were big hits from it. They showed her ongoing mix of different styles. It sold over three million copies. Critics generally gave it positive reviews.
Rolling Stone magazine praised this album. They said Shakira just keeps getting better and better. She embraced her heritage on this one. She also kept pushing music boundaries. This period really showed her continuing growth. She moved between different music types with such ease.
Looking Inward: The Reflective Nature of El Dorado
Shakira released her album El Dorado in 2017. This record felt like a really significant moment. It seemed to wrap up everything about her journey so far. The album was widely praised by critics. It sold extremely well too. It hit number one on the Billboard Latin charts. She worked with popular artists like Maluma and Nicky Jam on it. This really showed she was still very relevant today.
The song Chantaje was a massive, massive hit. It went number one in lots and lots of places. Critics loved how personal the album’s lyrics felt. They also loved Shakira’s voice on the songs. Billboard magazine said El Dorado truly captured her whole journey. It embraced her origins and roots. It also explored new musical directions for her.
El Dorado felt more personal than some past albums. The songs seemed to reflect her life. Her life as a mother, as a partner, for instance. It showed a deeper, more thoughtful side of her art. Songs like Amarillo had such real emotion in them. Perro Fiel showed her growth as a performer. She truly grew so much as a songwriter too. She also became a stronger, more confident musician. I believe her willingness to share these parts of herself makes the music connect even more.
Wrapping Up: A Story of Artistic Growth
When we look back at Shakira’s albums, one thing is totally clear. Her best albums are not just about how many copies they sold. They truly show off her amazing artistic growth. From those first steps with Pies Descalzos to the deeper El Dorado. Shakira just kept changing. She simply kept evolving as an artist over time. She didn’t stand still.
Her ability to mix different kinds of music is so powerful. And bringing in languages and cultures too. This is what kept her so relevant for so long. The world of music is always changing fast. Critics consistently praise her for this. She keeps pushing creative limits but always stays true to herself somehow. She really is quite special in the music world.
Honestly, it’s incredibly inspiring to watch. We see how Shakira built this incredible career. She faced lots of changes and challenges. She stayed true to who she is inside. She also always respected her heritage. I believe her whole journey teaches us something important. Artistic growth is absolutely crucial for anyone in a creative field. It means facing new things. It means being able to adapt and still be authentically yourself.
As we look towards the future, imagine the possibilities. Imagine the new sounds Shakira might explore next. Her deep love for making music is still strong. Her commitment to being great at her craft is clear. It will surely lead to even more amazing work. I am happy to witness her journey continue. I am excited to see what she creates next. I am eager for the next chapter in her musical story.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shakira’s most commercially successful album?
Laundry Service is her top seller globally. It sold over 13 million copies.
Which album marked Shakira’s move to English language music?
Laundry Service was that big step for her. It had major English hits like Whenever, Wherever.
How has Shakira’s music changed over the years?
It started with Latin sounds and pop. Now it includes rock, electronic, and reggaeton too. This shows her diverse talent.
What are some themes in Shakira’s recent albums?
Her later work often talks about love. It also covers being a mother and growing personally. It reflects her life experiences.
Her Ongoing Artistic Journey
Shakira’s path through her albums is easy to see. It clearly shows her artistic growth. From her very first records to her most recent ones. She always pushed her creative boundaries. But she stayed connected to where she came from. It’s a truly remarkable journey to follow. It gives hope and inspiration to so many people. And it makes us eager to hear whatever comes next from her.
