Shakira goes back to basics with “Empire”

Shakira released a new song this week, “Empire”, taken from her forthcoming self-titled album and boy does it sound good!

With her hot duet featuring Rihanna “Can’t Remember To Forget You” still on top of most of the charts around the world, it looks like Shakira wants to have more than one song on the top spot, before the world release of her album.

And she’s on the right track!

I loved “Empire”, because it brings back memories from Shakira’s early days, and because it shows that her forthcoming album wil be packed with diverse tunes. The song is much more carefully constructed compared to the singer’s other hit “Can’t Remember To Forget You”.

Shakira brings out the best of her vocal cords thanks to a downtempo, quasi-emo track. The few piano keys also reflect the passion and love, which by the way, the song is filled with.

A lot of people have already compared it to a Tori Amos tune (Little Earthquakes?)… but I like to think it’s simply a return to the good old Shakira vocals (Sombra De Ti, The One, Poem to a Horse).

No more ranting, I’ll leave you to it!