Shakira

Continuing with what I hear is the fourth single from the She Wolf album, our Colombian heroine Shakira releases Gypsy. Considering I've been oblivious to Shakira since the She Wolf single was dropped on us, Gypsy comes as a bit of a shock.

Gone are the disco-flavoured backing beats, replaced by harmonica intros and sitar playing (or is it banjo?) on an intensely ethnic-feeling track. All of this sits on a simple snare beat as Shakira warbles on in that sexy-yodeller voice of hers.

It's a rootsy little tune that shouldn't be unexpected for longtime fans of Miss Mebarak - she pulls in and uses such an ecclectic range of musical styles that we've come to expect this. I still remember the accordian intro to Objection which blended effortlessly into a surf guitar riff. Impressive stuff!

The Gypsy video's a smouldering affair, as Miss Shakira is joined by tennis player Rafael Nadal (where is Mr Shakira during all of this, you might well ask!) She's wearing a very revealing black wrap which covers those small and humble boobs, but will clearly have the pervs in the audience leaning closer to the TV to see if she's wearing anything underneath it.

Colombia’s sexiest export is back with a disco tune and a video that will launch a thousand sinful thoughts in the minds of men. I speak from experience.

In fact, the video for She Wolf might be the sole focus of this review - Shakira dons a range of skin-tight costumes, from a flesh-toned affair while she writhes in a cage and a half-on lycra thingy that’s surely intended as a fashion-based comment on the duality of (wo)man. Or something.

With a supreme effort, we can tear our eyes away from the screen and focus on the music. She Wolf is a blend of good ol’ disco-inspired fun with an omnipresent Daft Punk type electronic voice in the chorus. And Miss Shakira warbling away over the top with her sexy accent is the icing on the cake.

With this single, Shakira might pull off the same trick she did with her breakthrough single, Whenever, Wherever - mesmerizing the populace with her dancing while her song is being subtly drilled into our heads. Remember when she was knee-deep in mud and belly-dancing?