Shakira Launches Next Era With Fizzy New Single, “Don’t Wait Up”
Shakira is back with her first solo English-language single since “Try Everything” in 2016 (or since “Empire” in 2014, if we don’t want to count family film soundtrack songs). She just shared her lively new single “Don’t Wait Up” along with a charmingly old-school music video. The song is expected to appear on her next album, due out in early 2022.
“Don’t Wait Up” sounds surprisingly tender when it starts off, Shakira asking her partner if he’s noticed how much things have changed since they got together. The pre-chorus suggests something stronger is coming, and then it launches into a dancey chorus. Lyrically, the song describes a couple who needs a bit more space from each other and ‘me time’ to stay healthy. It’s an honest look at a very real theme in any relationship. Shakira also shows off great vocals here, utilizing breathy falsetto and impassioned belts. It’s a sprightly song that finds Shakira trying out a slightly different sound, and it promises more great music to come.
The accompanying music video also offers something new for a Shakira video: surfing. Indeed, she’s gotten into surfing and skateboarding in the past year (the latter made it into her “Girl Like Me” video with Black Eyed Peas several months ago). In between shots of Shakira ethereally floating on still water at sunrise and tearing up the waves at night, we also see her leading a dance party in a club. Her look is still sporty – beanie, sneakers, baggy pink pants – and the vibe is pleasantly retro, like the song itself.
Watch the energetic music video for “Don’t Wait Up” below:
You can stream or buy “Don’t Wait Up” from all the major music providers here. The song is expected to appear on Shakira’s next album, due out in early 2022. Based on this song, her upcoming album may be an English-based one, her first since Shakira in 2014.
Shakira’s Upcoming New Album
Shakira spent this spring working on new music in the studio. First she shared some updates from a Miami studio where she was collaborating with writers and producers Ali Tamposi, Andrew Watt, and The Monsters & Strangerz. A few weeks later, Shakira was working with Emily Warren and Ian Kirkpatrick – these are the co-writers behind “Don’t Wait Up”!
Last month, Shakira spoke with Vogue Méxcio y Latinoamérica about her upcoming music. In addition to revealing that she had a July single coming out (hello, “Don’t Wait Up”!), she also talked about a political new song she had written. She said:
First I think and then I write. Sometimes I do a reflection immediately after writing something that involves some political opinion, to know if what I am saying is really going to have a positive or negative effect on people. I will think about it. I recently wrote a song with some political and social content and I’m pondering whether it’s really worth it or not. There are many things that I keep to myself. I understand that everything I say has a consequence and an impact on others, I try to be careful and prudent.
Although Shakira is being careful about what she puts out, we do hope that this political song will make it onto her album. We love hearing about important topics, and Shakira has proven in the past that she can do so intelligently as well as with musical finesse.
Shakira also spoke enthusiastically about the new music she’s making, calling it different from what she’s done in the past:
I have the feeling that I am about to do something different than what I have done before and more evolved on a sonic level as well. Right now I have a song that is the song that I have wanted to do for a long time. I am very excited and waiting, with great anticipation of what I am going to present and what I am going to continue doing.
Additionally, Shakira indicated that her album won’t be out until sometime in 2022:
Songs will continue to come out throughout this year that will end up on an album that I think will be available for next year.
Keep up with all we know about her next album here.
Latest Shakira News
Shakira’s last studio album, El Dorado, came out in May 2017. It followed the singles “Chantaje” featuring Maluma and “Me Enamoré,” and led to the singles “Perro Fiel” featuring Nicky Jam, “Trap” featuring Maluma, and “Nada.” “La Bicicleta” with Carlos Vives, “Comme Moi” with Black M, and “Deja Vu” with Prince Royce were also singles prior to the album’s release.
In summer 2018, Shakira and Maluma teamed up a third time for their standalone single “Clandestino.”
In November 2019, Shakira’s latest live film, Shakira In Concert: El Dorado World Tour, aired in cinemas around the world. It’s now available on streaming as well.
Shakira kicked off 2020 with her single “Me Gusta” featuring Anuel AA. Then, that February, Shakira joined Jennifer Lopez in performing the Superbowl Half Time Show. Check out a full video of it here.
Shakira then appeared in “Girl Like Me” with the Black Eyed Peas. The song became a big hit last fall and winter.
Enjoy “Don’t Wait Up” and its fun music video. If you’re like us, this song will be on repeat the rest of this summer! Catch up on all we know about Shakira’s next album so far, and keep checking back here for all the latest Shakira music news.
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