Album Review: ORQUÍDEAS by Kali Uchis
Kali Uchis delivers a luxurious collection, presenting an array of lush ballads that speak to the soul's tranquility alongside vibrant reggaeton beats that highlight rest and revelry within its songs.
Kali Uchis is all about the good life on her latest album, ORQUÍDEAS, a title that nods to Colombia’s national bloom and hints at her heritage. This isn’t just another record; it’s a celebration of everything from the thrill of romance to the joys of soundscaping, not to mention some well-timed retribution when the mood strikes.
Right off the bat, ORQUÍDEAS greets you with laughter and those heavenly background vocals that set the tone for what’s to come. It wraps up with a thank-you smooch straight from Uchis herself. The tracks are a smooth blend of tomorrow’s electronic vibes, throwbacks to the ‘90s we’re still crushing on, and timeless Latin sounds.
Uchis would spend summers soaking up culture in Colombia with her Dad’s side of the family. Her music mirrors orchids—vibrant, seductive, and a bit high-maintenance, traits she’s woven into her persona since day one. On this record, she plays the part of the ultimate tease. Take the first track, “¿Cómo Así?” where she lays it down: stick around here, and you won’t want to say goodbye.
She has been weaving her path in the music industry with a unique blend of influences and an unwavering drive. She embraced music and writing as a child, taking cues from Colombian pop, hip-hop, and jazz icons like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Her youthful days were spent penning poetry and playing piano and saxophone in her school’s band. After a brief 15-day attempt at community college post-graduation, she pivoted to focus solely on her passion for music.
At 18, working from her laptop, Uchis produced Drunken Babble, a mixtape steeped in R&B with doo-wop flourishes, and released it on DatPiff without charge. The project resonated through the Blog Era and underground scenes, grabbing the attention of established artists such as Snoop Dogg and Diplo. With determination propelling her forward, Uchis saved earnings from her grocery store job to relocate to Los Angeles. There, her trajectory towards stardom accelerated, especially after releasing Por Vida, another EP available without cost that signaled her inevitable rise.
2017 marked a significant shift in Uchis’ career as she captured listeners with “Tyrant,” featuring Jorja Smith, and crafted the unforgettable hook for Tyler, the Creator’s hit “See You Again.” Her debut album Isolation arrived in 2018 to critical praise, paving the way for her Spanish-language album Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) in 2020, which finally brought commercial success. Last year, Uchis showcased her R&B skills with Red Moon in Venus—a mostly English record—bolstered by contributions from Summer Walker, Omar Apollo, and her boyfriend, Don Toliver.
At 29, Uchis has been playing hopscotch between English and Spanish albums. With ORQUÍDEAS, she leans into her Spanish-speaking roots but keeps it fresh and fluid for her global fans by mixing languages even within single lines. Like in “Me Ponga Loca,” she’ll flip from “I get a lil’ bit crazy” to “Pero es no mi culpa” without missing a beat.
The album’s sound? Think Janet Jackson or Aaliyah’s dreamy R&B hits, but spun through today’s tech to give it that extra sparkle. Uchis’ voice floats effortlessly over these tracks, unbound by earthly physics—a style she honed on her 2020 release Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios). But unlike her 2020 effort, which had us yearning for more, ORQUÍDEAS finds Uchis on top, getting exactly what she wants, whether it’s devotion in “Tu Corazón Es Mío” or pure ecstasy in “Young Rich & In Love.”
While most of the album chills out with mellow ballads, Uchis isn’t afraid to pick up the pace. She taps El Alfa and JT for some spicy verses on “Muñekita,” a dembow jam that’s as catchy as it is cheeky, throwing shade left and right. Then there’s “Labios Mordidos,” where she teams up with Karol G for some reggaeton heat that’ll have you raising an eyebrow with its flirty lyrics. Kali Uchis delivers an eclectic mix of slow jams and upbeat bangers on ORQUÍDEAS, painting a picture of someone who knows what they want and how to get it—all while keeping listeners hooked with her bilingual lyrical prowess and lush production.
A mere twelve months have passed since the release of her album Red Moon in Venus, characterized by its relaxed R&B vibe and a charmingly diffused sound. Yet, it didn’t feature any particular tracks that dominated the spotlight. Fast forward to now, and there’s a noticeable uptick in vigor, particularly evident on the track “No Hay Ley Parte 2.” This number infuses the reggaeton genre with robust beats and weaves in an auto-tuned verse from Rauw Alejandro—a twist on a single she put out back in 2022. The refreshed version carries an air of ambition; it seems she’s setting her sights on climbing the ranks to join the global elite of Spanish-speaking music icons.
And judging by this latest effort, that goal is well within reach.
Great (★★★★☆)
Favorite Track(s): “Te Mata,” “Muñekita,” “Heladito”