The orchid, the flower which lends its name to Kali Uchis’ fourth album, is an emblem in Colombia, the native country of her parents. It is also a symbol of fertility – the pop singer has just announced that she is expecting her first child – but also of sensuality and seduction. Which fits perfectly with his new songs.
The whole first part ofOrchids in effect on pop pieces with graceful melodies, layered with delicate keyboard glances, over which the singer’s often high-pitched and beguiling singing extends. Her tone is right on point: Kali Uchis evokes games of seduction and romantic passion, with a spicy attitude.
A radical change of direction occurs halfway through the album with the song Te Mata (It kills you), an elegant bolero where the American-Colombian singer displays the power of which she is capable. The sequence is also less uniform: Tu Corazon Es Mio draws from the pop variation of R&B, Munekita (with El Alfa and JT) and Lips Mordidos (with Karol G) flirt with reggaeton, No Hay Le Parte is inspired by house and the finale Lady Beso/Muevete dive into the merengue!
Kali Uchis not only proudly displays her dual cultural affiliation, she brilliantly mixes her multiple inspirations and roots, shows her mastery of classic forms as well as her desire to redraw the boundaries of pop. Orchids is a bursting pop bouquet that has everything you need to set the mood for an evening that you want warmer than a winter night.
Extract of Kali Uchis
Latin pop
Orchids
Kali Uchis
Geffen / Universal