"Tiempo Sin Verte" (English: "Time Without Seeing You") is a song by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira. The song was released on 22 March 2024 as a part of Shakira's twelfth studio album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran. An alternativeLatin rock and Latin pop ballad, its lyrics talk about missing a loved one and bearing your own responsibility for ending up apart. Critics praised "Tiempo Sin Verte" for showcasing Shakira's vocal versatility, heartfelt lyrics, emotional depth, nostalgic blend of pop rock and Latin influences, and its authentic, compelling sound that reaffirm her status as a dynamic artist.
"Tiempo Sin Verte" was first announced on 29 February 2024, when Shakira posted the tracklist of her album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran online.[1] On 14 March, Shakira posted a preview video of the song on her social media, with the video showcasing photos of her in a tight blue braided dress.[2][3][4][5][6][7] She commented that "Tiempo Sin Verte" has a "sound that is very much hers",[8][9][10] and that the song is one "of the rockiest songs" on the album.[11] The preview sparked enthusiasm among her fans, who praised both the dress and song calling it "a favourite on the album" and "an anthem" among others.[12][13][14]
The song was rumored to be released as a single one day before the album's release due to Spotify displaying such a counter,[15] but ended up just being released as the third track of Shakira's twelfth studio album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran on 22 March 2024.[16] Shakira reflected on the album's songs' creation process as "rebuilding herself": "When I sang them, my tears transformed into diamonds and my vulnerability into resilience".[17]
Composition
"Tiempo Sin Verte" is an emotional[18]alternative[19]Latin rock and Latin pop[20] ballad with romantic lyrics about the pain of being apart from a loved one.[21][22][23] Opening with a powerful, acoustic guitar driven intro,[24] the song features Shakira singing with deliberate and somber vocals inspired by rock music.[25][19][26] The instrumental arrangement combines urban rhythms with poppy low-tempo background drum beats.[6][21][26][27][28] Minor chords are played on an acoustic guitar, adding a touch of melancholy and depth.[25][26][28][24][29] Additionally, subtle and angsty electronic guitar melodies weave through the music, with the song concluding with a spectral guitar riff.[19][29][30]
Andrea Romero from Los 40 described the melody of the song as "very reminiscent of the first pop songs" that Shakira released in the 90s, a feature also noted by the NTN24 Editorial,[4] while commenting that the song reflects the "purest essence" of her style of pop music.[31] Blanca Lopez from Cadena 100 commented on Shakira going back to the rhythms of her albums Sale el Sol and El Dorado with the song.[32] Suzy Exposito from Rolling Stone reflected how producers Tainy and Albert Hype produced a "haunted tropical feel" one song.[33] Karen Ramirez Sojo from Últimas Noticias noted that the rhythms and beats of the production make the song danceable.[6]
The affectionate and sad lyrics of "Tiempo Sin Verte" are about looking forward to meeting someone you care about after a long while of not seeing each other.[19][34][35][36] Thematically, the song talks about the bearing of responsibility and acceptance of your own mistakes and guilt and the end of a relationship, with lyrics about the pain and longing of being apart from a loved one, and about realizing that more could have been done to make the relationship last.[37] The lyrics of this song allude to a past romantic relationship: "Llevo tiempo sin verte y dime si aún me quieres y te acuerdas de mí" (English: "I haven't seen you in a while, and tell me if you still love me and remember me.") This led to speculation that "Tiempo Sin Verte" is either written about Shakira's ex-boyfriend Gerard Piqué, for whom she had recently dedicated songs, or about a new boyfriend she has, possibly Argentine producer Rafael Arcaute,[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][excessive citations] or even about her old self.[36] The lyrics also criticize the tendency to use busyness as an excuse: "Tu excusa es que andas muy ocupado" (English: "Your excuse is that you're very busy.")[47] The song closes with lyrics about "having to play strong" due to being apart.[48] Daniel Ospina from Infobae outlined that "Tiempo Sin Verte" could be "one of the most optimistic and romantic tracks" of the album.[49]
Reception
Critics lauded "Tiempo Sin Verte" for various aspects of the song, including Shakira's vocals, melodies, and the song’s heartfelt lyrics and emotional depth. They highlighted how the track showcases her versatility and ability to connect deeply with listeners through its poignant message and musical arrangement. Many praised its nostalgic and authentic sound, which blends pop rock with Latin influences, reaffirming Shakira's status as a compelling and dynamic artist.
Bradley Stern from MuuMuse hailed "Tiempo Sin Verte" as "a stunning return to form, and a reminder of who [Shakira] truly is", "an instant Shakira classic" with her "signature quivering vocals" and "instant earworm melodies", and praised her delivery in the bridge, finally encapsulating the song as a "perfect pop song and Shakira at her best."[50] Ángela Urrea from Noticias Caracol called "Tiempo Sin Verte" one of those Shakira's songs which "showcase her versatility and ability to connect with her listeners through heartfelt and poignant lyrics".[18] Felipe Torres Vargas from radio El Sol Bogotá commented that the song "charged with emotion and nostalgia" has "musical magic" and a "very unique sound" and reminds of "Shakira's powerful artistic talent".[51] Maribel Gamez-Reyes from The Highlander reflected that the lyrics and instrumental of the song "capture what heartbreak is, the depth of sadness and the thoughts of the alternative after a door closes", and "evoke nostalgia" sounding like a modernized version of 90s pop rock music,[25] a feature also noted by Sonia Bello from Actualidad.[52] Ted McCarten from The Echo reflected how "Tiempo Sin Verte" and "Última" from the same album demonstrate vulnerability, with "Shakira’s vocals showing a depth of emotion."[26]Billboard's writers ranked the song as the 4th best on the album, and reflected on how the song returns "to the pop rock sound that characterized Shakira in the early ‘90s", inscribing its "punchy alternative track fused with subtle dance melodies" while also noting her "potent rockera vocals".[19] Jan Vranken from Maxazine commented that the song has "a delicious groove with lyrical content rooted in Latin American tradition."[53]Marca emphasized that Shakira is "back with a bang" with "Tiempo Sin Verte", a "guaranteed hit."[15] Javier Villuendas from ABC called the tenderness of the lyrics an "artistically pleasing" surprise.[54] Michael Durr from Kedrix hailed how the song has "passion that pushes the overall message of the song", and that the passion makes it "one of the best songs on the album."[24]
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