Laundry Service

A few moments into Shakira’s debut album, the Latin temptress croons some of the most extraordinary lines you’re likely to encounter on a pop record.

“Next to her cheap silicon I look minimal,” she complains. “That’s why in front of your eyes I’m invisible.” But there’s more! “Lucky that my breasts are small and humble/So you don’t confuse them with mountains.”

In case you haven’t seen her wiggling her assets on MTV (for the record, her humility in the bust department is entirely unnecessary!) Shakira Ripoll is the latest Latin sexpot to tear up the charts. What she has to offer is a manic fusion of earthy sexuality and slick pop. Her image is part Britney, part Destiny’s Child, part female equivalent to Ricky Martin and part sexed-up Alannis Morissette about to strip off for a Playboy shoot. (Eh, come again, Eamon? – Ed.)

Ripoll’s background is intriguing. Her boyfriend’s father happens to be Argentina’s recently deposed president and her musical idols include Pulp, The Cure and Radiohead.

Yep, she is a bizarre one to say the least, and Laundry Service adds a further twist to such puzzling scenarios. Shakira writes her own songs and the lyrics are captivatingly bonkers – think of Captain Beefheart reincarnated as Beyonce Knowles and you’re getting there. There is at least one howler (“Baby, I would climb the Andes solely to count the freckles on your body”) on every track. But the overall impression is still positive.

Laundry Service is by no means a great album, but Shakira Rimpoll’s eccentricities elevate her head and shoulders – and at least three cup sizes – above the pop conveyor belt pack.

A curious mixture from a curious and promising artist who is well worth keeping tabs on.