A segment of the “Lord’s Prayer” opens up her fifth album.

Yes. It’s Shakira, and after four years of unreleased English material, Columbian songwriter Shakira releases Oral Fixation vol.2, her fifth album, and second installment of her Oral Fixation series.

The album cover is no less than a photograph of herself, semi-nude, resembling Eve, next to a supposed tree of knowledge, with a baby wanting to grab the forbidden apple she’s already taken.

We’re in for a religious journey, or a questioning of faith.

And indeed it is a questioning of faith through many aspects of our lives.

This journey consists of 11 songs, two of which are translated versions of others previously released in Fijación Oral vol. 1, the Spanish record, which I was a little hesitant to buy at first, after hearing the infamous reggeaton impregnated single, “La Tortura.”

However, the first album proved to be similar to her first two, yet different in it’s own way.

Independent to everything she had composed before, and very, very strong. So I was expecting nothing less in this, the second volume.

What is this album? What to expect?

Shakira’s second English album doesn’t resemble anything like the first.

I have always considered her first English album (Laundry Service) a mere tool to cross-over successfully, which she did.

Oral Fixation vol. 2 is, no doubt, an English record. Don’t be misled thinking this is a continuation to vol. 1, because it certainly isn’t.

Oral Fixation vol. 2 stands out on it’s own.

I had long known that Argentina-born legend Gustavo Cerati had contributed to vol. 1, and was not surprised in listening to the song “Día Especial,” and hearing his voice in the background.

It is precisely this song, translated, one of the eleven that make up the tracks for Oral Fixation vol. 2.

The title is “The Day and The Time,” and even though the lyrics are well translated, my only issue with this song is that Cerati’s voice is hidden, unlike in the Spanish record.

The very first song, “How Do You Do,” is more of a reprimand to a selfish, careless egotistical God than anything else, reminiscent of her first God-directed song (“Octavo Día”) in her second album (Dónde Están los Ladrones?).

Shakira questions if this superior being feels anything at all toward the horrible situation of the world, through the powerful lyrics, which include segments in Latin, Arabic and Hebrew.

“Hey You,” with it’s mariachi trumpet in the introduction reminded me of the drunk-Dumbo section in the Disney film.

“Your Embrace,” did not work for me; the quartet and orchestral arrangements did not meet my expectations, and sounded very cliché.

“Costume Makes a Clown” possesses some of those “arabian-melody” arrangements Shakira is well known for, and the lyrics are authoritative and direct.

Most lyrics, like always, speak about situations and instances we can all relate to, such as the longing for that special person to stay, like the second translated song, “Something.” The song sounds better in English than Spanish, no doubt.

The politically charged “Timor” opens with a chorus of children in African tunes, who are quickly drowned by the sound of what seems like an ’80s song saturated with political messages.

Carlos Santana makes an appearance with his guitar riffs in “Illegal,” perhaps one of the best and strongest songs in the album.

I was surprised to notice how this is not one of those songs where Santana appears and only repeats in his guitar what’s being sung; rather his guitar makes ghostly appearances to decorate the song, with a tremendous solo in the middle of it. The result is a deceptive love song for noone.

“Animal City,” a comical song with “western-like” riffs and a catchy chorus, will have you singing.

“Dreams for Plans,” again a love song for no one, stands as one of my favorites in the entire album.

And of course, the new single, “Don’t Bother,” is an extremely commercial song that in my opinion is the trendiest this album will get. The song works as that: a single.

But don’t think about buying Oral Fixation vol. 2 judging by this single, please! There’s so much more to the album.

If you are a Shakira fan, don’t think twice about buying it. If you endured the monotonous ‘Laundry Service’, get oral! There’s no doubt you’ll enjoy this ‘Fixation.’