Break-ups are a common theme in the songs, but they don’t quite have the energy of the album’s popular hit track.

Shakira has faced numerous challenges in the seven years since her last album was released. She struggled with a vocal cord hemorrhage that caused her to lose her voice, but miraculously regained it through meditation, hypnosis, and a visit to Lourdes. In 2022, her long-standing relationship with former Barcelona footballer Gerard Piqué came to a dramatic and very public end, showcasing the pitfalls of high-profile celebrity couples. Additionally, she dealt with a tax-evasion case in Spain last year, ultimately paying a €7.3 million fine to settle the matter.

Her tumultuous personal experiences inspired the creation of the hit song “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol 53”, released in 2023. Teaming up with Argentine DJ Bizarrap, she transformed her breakup with Piqué into a powerful EDM track filled with clever lyrics. The song playfully portrays the footballer as a clueless gym enthusiast with a new partner, comparing their relationship to a Renault Twingo next to a Ferrari.

The powerful track featured in Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran gives the album its title, translating to “women no longer cry”. However, the energy and passion of this song are noticeably absent in the overall lukewarm collection of tracks on the album.

“Puntería” is a collaboration featuring Cardi B, a hip-hop artist from New York with roots in Latin American culture. While the pairing seems promising, the song falls flat with its uninspired dance-pop sound. “La Fuerte” reunites Shakira with Bizarrap, but fails to capture the magic of their previous collaboration, offering a generic EDM track instead. In contrast, “(Entre Paréntesis)” takes a mundane turn towards traditional music with Grupo Frontera, a Mexican ranchera band based in Texas. Lastly, “Cómo Dónde y Cuándo” presents a polished homage to 1990s alt-rock, showcasing Shakira’s diverse musical influences yet lacking a clear direction or purpose.

She performs songs in Spanish, often touching on topics like break-ups, as heard in the sentimental ballad “Acróstico” featuring her two children with Piqué. While the emotional content is still strong, Shakira’s voice has evolved to be smoother and less distinctive. Collaborating on a reggaeton duet titled “TQG” with Colombian star Karol G, hints at the edgier album she could have created.