Kali Uchis is stepping into her full power and she’s not taking anyone’s BS anymore. On Jan. 12, the Colombian-American singer released her fourth album, Orquídeas. Uchis has been making R&B/latin music since her debut, Drunken Babble, in 2012. Named after Colombia’s national flower, the orchid, and her second album that’s sung primarily in Spanish with more traditional beats, Kali Uchis embraces the Latina side of her music more than ever before.
Despite facing criticism for this, she will not let herself be put in a box. Uchis has the rare ability to succeed at appealing to multiple cultures. As of Jan. 22, Orquídeas is number one for album sales on the Billboard charts, “marking the largest week for a Spanish-language album on vinyl since Luminate began tracking sales in 1991,” according to Billboard.
Orquídeas is passionate yet ethereal, seamlessly blending synth-like pop with reggaeton. It features other popular Latino artists such as Peso Pluma, El Alfa, Rauw Alejandro and more.
The album ranges from soulful ballads like “Te Mata” to flowy pop she’s best known for in “Pensamientos Intrusivos” or “Igual Que Un Ángel.”
Her past themes of a sultry femme fatale carry over to this album. But while her previous albums were filled with longing, now Kali Uchis is victorious. She knows her worth and her power. “Heaven’s her residence y ella no se va a caer” (and she won’t fall) she sings in “Igual Que Un Ángel,” “They just can’t reach her, princesita inalcanzable” (an unreachable princess). Or in “Te Mata,” with the lyrics “nunca vas a poder cortar mis alas” (you will never be able to cut my wings).
While still remaining true to her dreamy R&B roots, Kali Uchis mixes it up with her latest album that appeals to a wider audience. Whether you speak Spanish or not, Orquídeas is worth a listen with songs you can both dance and sulk over.
