'La Cantante': J. Lo returns - in Spanish

Jennifer Lopez's latest album perfectly reflects its title - Como Ama Una Mujer (How a Woman Loves). Her new disc, which is composed largely of ballads, reflects the trials and tribulations that women encounter every day in their relationships. Among the highlights are "Te Voy a Querer" ("I Am Going to Love You") and "Que Hiciste," ("What Did You Do?"). Underscored by traditional percussion beats and the accordion, "Querer" contains a sensual salsa flavor, reflecting the influence of her husband, Marc Anthony, who also lends his vocals to the track. It explodes in a powerful bridge that demonstrates Lopez's impressive vocal range. It's no surprise that "Que Hiciste" was the album's lead single. Lopez sings: "Hoy destruiste con tu orgullo la esperanza / Hoy empeñaste con tu furia mi mirada." Translation: "Today with your pride you destroyed hope / You blurred my sight with your fury." With each note she manipulates her lyrics, painting the picture of a woman whose universe has been destroyed by her lover.

The album is a personal triumph for Lopez, who proves that she is an artist and not just an entertainer. Her voice carries suprising power and has a beautiful tone. Nevertheless, she lacks the power of her contemporaries; despite the overall strength of her album, it doesn't have the radio-ready spark of an artist like Shakira. It would be incorrect to brush aside her work as bland, however. Her pop is the real thing; when you listen, you can't help but become addicted. There are songs that drag, like "Amarte Es Todo" ("Loving You is Everything"), and the succession of ballad after ballad gets a bit tired. Her tracks make an impact because each set of lyrics she sings reads like a poem, perfectly reflecting love's struggles, proving the value of a good lyricist. Therein, Mujer thrives.

Lopez hasn't reinvented herself - she mostly plays it safe. Her new album is full of the same Latin pop as "Una Noche Más" ("Waiting for Tonight") from her 1999 debut album, On the 6. Still, this is an admirable Spanish-language debut - some six years in the making. As she continues to mature, her work will only strengthen. B