Shakira - La La La (Brazil 2014)

"The entire world soars like an eagle"

More and more, I've found myself straying from pop music by big American superstars (or global superstars that are incredibly popular in America). As my pop music palate has grown, I'm finding myself much more interested in these smaller, sometimes weirder, pockets of music from around the world. K-Pop. Finnish teen pop. Scandinavian schalger. You get the point. But there are some global superstars that still capture my full attention, and Shakira is one of those. To me, there's something very refreshing about her mix of pop, rock, Latin and dance. Yes, it's calibrated for global success, but it always feels true and unique to her. La La La, which also happens to be the theme for this year's World Cup, is the kind of song that, even after one listen, I knew was destined to be a huge hit. Some songs just stick out. This is absolutely massive. And, I love that she seems to call out my favorite building toy throughout! (Yes, I know "lego" probably means something else in this context...)



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Pop Blitz 5/5/10 (Diva Edition)

Miley Cyrus - Can't Be Tamed
Despite some cringe-worthy lyrics, Cyrus maintains her string of great pop singles. It's more dance/urban this time around, which shouldn't really work with her husky voice. But it does. B+

Kelly Rowland - Commander
After her big dance hit last year, Rowland's decided to stick with the genre. Good move. Shame this isn't as strong as last year's. It's not bad, but the vocals do get a little shrill at points. B-

Shakira - Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)
It was written for the World Cup and certainly works in that context. Taken on its own, it's a great piece of African-inspired Shakira-pop. Not catchy enough to be a major hit, but pleasant. B

Christina Aguilera - Not Myself Tonight
The song, and accompanying video, just screams desperation. Worst of all, it's virtually hookless. A big step back for her, and hopefully not a sign of what's to come from the album. C-

Janet Jackson - Nothing
A one-off soundtrack cut from Jackson, and thank god for that because this is pretty sleepy. An attempt to replicate past, better, ballads, it comes up a little short. C

Mini Viva - One Touch
I'm in love with this. It's got one of the strongest bridges of any pop song this year and is a great example of that old-school Xenomania pop. Stuffed with hooks. A

Kelis - Acapella
Her foray into dance music, and definitely a success. The hypnotic beat stands out more than anything else, though I bet there's better stuff on the album. B+

Top 50 Singles of 2009: 15-11

15. Shakira - She-Wolf



A defining moment in a career filled with them, this strange, seductive dance track ushered in a new era for Shakira.

14. Miley Cyrus - Party In The USA



Proving she’s more than a (sometimes obnoxious) TV personality, this was the song of the Summer, even if you weren’t a Cyrus fan. Just try to resist that chorus.

13. Cinema Bizarre - I Came 2 Party



One of the more unusual RedOne productions of 2009, the former Tokio Hotel soundalikes recorded this booming club track and instantly gained a new fan.

12. Bodies Without Organs - Right Here, Right Now



The aural successor to Chariots Of Fire, this started off the new album with a bang and possesses one of the group’s catchiest, poppiest hooks yet.

11. Alexander Rybak - Fairytale



An oddball on the countdown, just as it was in Eurovision. Sometimes oddballs are good, and in this case a fiddle played with the vigor of an electric guitar is even better than good.

Top 20 Albums of 2009: 16-15

16. Dragonette - Fixin‘ To Thrill



These guys returned with a more mature, sophisticated release and surprised everyone (well, surprised me) by scoring a massive radio hit in Canada. They’re becoming more interesting by the moment, willing to push pop music in different directions and play around with their style. Martina, in particular, has blossomed into quite the frontwoman, someone who I can see rivaling Lady Gaga in avant garde wardrobe and image. This is one of the more consistent albums on the countdown, and hopefully the gateway to even more radio success. There are certainly plenty of potential singles to choose from.

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15. Shakira - She-Wolf



The first Shakira album to appear on my year end countdowns since I started doing this, it’s also her shortest work yet. Brevity as its rewards, though, as this is the strongest collection of songs she’s come up with in awhile. In fact, when I reviewed this a few months ago, I don’t think I really gave the album enough credit. It’s grown on me immensely, and become something I’ve played quite a lot this Fall. I loved Shakira the rock chick, but who knew she could do straight up pop music so awesomely? Another album with no shortness of single choices.

Myspace