BEAUTIFUL LIAR - BEYONCE & SHAKIRA
Perhaps not since Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand joined forces in 1979 has there been a more inspired pop force field. “Beautiful Liar” (from the April 3 rerelease of Beyonce’s “B’Day” that includes five new songs and six in Spanish) integrates signature styles of Sony songbirds Beyonce and Shakira, with enterprising threading of an R&B rhythmic pulse and Latin horns, alongside fiery Middle Eastern instrumental hooks. Personalities play off like schoolyard buds — this is no Mariah Carey vs. Whitney Houston duet, where either appears interested in bulldozing the other. The accompanying video, featuring the pair practically doing a lap dance, is flamethrowing hot.
