N
Kali Uchis cannot be accused of procrastination. The recent tour for her third album, Red Moon on Venus, concluded just weeks ago with a show at Camp Flog Gnaw, a festival organized by her occasional partner Tyler, the Creator. And now, she has released a follow-up album. She declared its release – or rather, a “new era” for her music – in July, only four months after Red Moon on Venus debuted.
In today’s world where there is constant distraction and an overwhelming amount of new music, artists cannot afford to delay releasing new albums for fear of losing their audience to other musicians. This may also be influenced by the artist’s personal history. For Uchis, Orquídeas is her second album primarily in Spanish, as she grew up between America and Colombia. Her first Spanish-language album, Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios), was released in 2020 despite warnings from her record label to stick to the style of her popular R&B hit, After the Storm. According to Uchis, the label did not support or promote the album, resulting in its failure to chart.
However, this was before her song Telepatía gained popularity as the background music for a lip-sync challenge on TikTok, making it the first track by a Latina artist to reach over 1 billion streams on Spotify. It seems that Uchis now feels empowered to do as she pleases without any interruptions, and the quick release of Orquídeas – recorded alongside Red Moon in Venus – may have a hint of satisfaction behind it.
It’s possible that Uchis simply wanted to release Orquídeas quickly because she believes it is an excellent album, and in that case, she has a valid point. The album incorporates traditional Latin-American musical styles such as bolero on the closing track “Dame Beso / Muevete” and dembow on “Muñekita,” while the single “Labios Mordidos” cleverly adds a reggaeton beat to a wiry synth riff similar to those used by Dr. Dre in his early 2000s productions, combined with elements of reggae’s iconic Stalag riddim from the 1970s. There are moments when the Latin influence may seem minimal, as in “Tu Corazón es Mío,” a beautiful but straightforward soul ballad with a touch of the lushness typically found in Philadelphia International recordings. If you listen closely, you may be able to pick up the faint sound of a drumstick brushing against a guiro somewhere in the background, but that’s about it. The album’s distinctive style is established in the opening track, “¿Cómo Así?,” which begins with a soft-focus and dreamy sound reminiscent of tracks from the mostly downtempo Red Moon in Venus album – ethereal vocals and pillowy synths – before unexpectedly transitioning into a lively dance floor beat that propels the song forward.
This album, Red Moon in Venus, showcases the captivating sound of Orquídeas. By incorporating club-inspired rhythms, such as the four-to-the-floor beats of house music and the offbeat reggaeton stutter, Uchis’s signature hazy tones are given a fresh twist. The track “Igual Que un Ángel” features a mid-tempo disco vibe, while “Perdiste” incorporates a trap-like drum machine that cuts through the 80s synth-soul ballad. While Red Moon in Venus may have been criticized for prioritizing mood over individual songs, this album successfully balances dreamy atmosphere with varied beats that add urgency and propulsion.
after newsletter promotion
She continues to display her talent for writing sharp and impactful lyrics: “You lost me, how sad … oh, that must hurt,” begins Perdido. “¿Cómo Así?” and Diosa both revolve around dominating men (“Make ’em beg for it,” suggests the former, while the latter boasts “I’m a total goddess… with me he’s submissive”). This theme is revisited on Helado, where Uchis demands both ice cream and a foot rub and refers to her (male) partner as “my little princess.” Labios Mordidos offers a passionate ode to lesbianism, focusing on a “Tarantino movie doll.” Surprisingly, No Hay Ley, Parte 2 mentions 90s Belgian pop-house group Technotronic as the perfect soundtrack for a post-coital joint: cleverly rhyming their name with a line that translates to “my abdomen is iconic.”
This album is both dreamy and fuzzy, yet sharp, clever and easy to dance to. It offers a diverse range of sounds that come together cohesively, creating a consistently enjoyable listening experience. Kali Uchis’ vocals on this album showcase not only her artistic freedom, but also her mastery in executing her vision.
the
This week, Alexis heard the following notifications and comments:
Sheer Mag – Moonstruck
The latest release from the Philadelphia band, after a five-year hiatus, Moonstruck expertly blends a rebellious punk attitude with elements of 70s soul and catchy pop melodies.
Source: theguardian.com
