Shakira

“I’m crazy, but you like it,” whoops Shakira on her new single, ”˜Loca.’ Nuttiness has always been part of her appeal, with a warbling voice and lyrics that border on surreal. (She once compared herself to “a coffee machine in an office.”) But mostly, her new album is businesslike, serious, sane. The music blends Latin rhythms, clubland electronica and lots of rock guitar. (Check out the heavy-riffing ”˜Tu Boca.’) Shakira largely produced the album herself, and she squeezes big emotions into ballads like ”˜Devoción.’ She’s not so crazy, this time ”“ but you like it.

Key Tracks: ”˜Gordita, ”˜Sale El Sol,’ ”˜Tu Boca’