Image Credit: Geffen Records
For each album, American singer-songwriter Kali Uchis constructs a distinct world: in “Isolation,” a bustling cityscape on a warm summer night, and in “Red Moon in Venus,” a late-night drive through a city lit-up by neon lights, where the glow reflects off the rain-slicked streets. Therefore, it is no surprise that Uchis had a clear vision for her fourth studio album “Orquídeas,” released on Jan. 12.
“[Orquídeas] is inspired by the timeless, eerie, mystic, striking, graceful, and sensual allure of the orchid,” Uchis said in a statement about her new album. “With this vast scope of fresh energy, I wish to redefine the way we look at Latinas in music.”
Uchis has done exactly this, embracing her traditional Latin roots more on this album, and tapping into genres she hasn’t touched in the past, like bolero and dembow on “Dame Beso // Muévete.” Throughout the record, she seamlessly blends English and Spanish: a clear influence of her bicultural childhood spent between Virginia and Colombia.
This dynamic interplay adds depth to the song, incorporating dembow and reggaeton percussion into the original ’90s house production
Capturing the essence of Uchis’s sound has proved challenging in the past, and her genre-blending and language-transcending approach to music is only strengthened on “Orquídeas.”
“¿Cómo Así?” is the perfect opener. The track starts off with Uchis’s light, feathery vocals accompanied by soft, atmospheric synthesizers until a lively beat propels the track forward to create an energetic, yet dreamy sound.
Compared to her previous album “Red Moon in Venus,” an enticing but hazy, dreamlike composition without any clear standout tracks, “Orquídeas” offers more variety in beats and fascinating production choices.
For example, the funky, flexible, pulsating baseline on “Igual Que Un Angel” sets a steady rhythm that drives the song forward. The song features Mexican singer Peso Pluma, who adopts a gentler, more nasally tone that seamlessly melds with Uchis’s signature ethereal vocals and synths: their chemistry is undeniable.
Latin-American houses are … like a bird, they start the day off with a song
The featured artists on “Orquídeas” further elevate the album. Rauw Alejandro’s provocative verses perfectly contrast Uchis’s dreamy chorus on “No Hay Ley Parte 2,” a revamped version of her 2022 single. This dynamic interplay adds depth to the song, incorporating dembow and reggaeton percussion into the original ’90s house production.
Her diverse musical style coupled with the bilingualism in her music contributes to an extensive, international audience.
“[Latin music] definitely brings a lot of nostalgia,” said Spanish teacher Elizabeth Benitez. “I grew up in Nicaragua for ten years, [and] Latin-American houses are filled with music. … They’re like a bird, they start the day off with a song. [It] motivates you, [and] lifts your spirits.”
Uchis has crafted a full-length Spanish album that appeals to even those who don’t typically listen to Latin music due to its bold, carefully crafted production.
“Orquídeas” deserves five out of five stars because Uchis is freely pursuing her creative desires by pushing genre boundaries, and possesses a clear understanding of her artistic direction and intent through exploring language.
