Colombian Singer, Songwriter, Designer, and GRAMMY winner Kali Uchis has released her fourth studio album titled "ORQUÍDEAS". This marks her second Spanish language project after her GRAMMY-nominated second album "Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios)". This full-length release features collaborations from prominent artists Peso Pluma, El Alfa, JT, Karol G, and Rauw Alejandro. Kali described "ORQUÍDEAS" as an" up-tempo album. It has an eerie yet still classic, feminine, luxurious quality". Kali has been describing this album as experimental, having a vast landscape of different styles of traditional Latin music like bolero, house, reggaeton, dembow, and salsa. "ORQUÍDEAS" is a testament to Kali's ability to showcase her artistry through different genres and subgenres ultimately coming out victorious.
Before the album's official release on January 12th, there have been various singles prefacing the album. With "Muñekita" w/ El Alfa and JT coming out first, "Te Mata" second, and "Labios Mordidos" w/ Karol G third, the album's singles give a brief look into the soundscape. Before the release of her third album "Red Moon In Venus", the singer released a standalone single titled "NO HAY LEY" which was reenvisioned with a feature for "ORQUÍDEAS".
"Muñekita" has a mixture of dembow and reggaeton elements fused throughout the track. This song is a lot to take in at once but is a fun listen to keep the album going. Followed by "Te Mata", the standout of the singles. "Te Mata" sonically channels bolero-style music, and is a highly cinematic track. The song showcases her vocal capabilities and vast range. The track discusses leaving a toxic relationship and drawing boundaries but ultimately being described as the villain. On her most recent tour, Kali describes this song as "when you let people hurt you and damage you and then finally you draw boundaries and now you’re the bad person". This frustration she discusses channels through in this stellar track. Most recently, Kali joined forces with the Colombian powerhouse Karol G. The pair have collaborated on a song prior titled "ME TENGO QUE IR" on Karol's "Mañana será bonito (Bichota Season)" which came out in 2023. "ME TENGO QUE IR" was a dreamy, airy, and vibrant collaboration between two singers. In contrast to their previous collaboration, "Labios Mordidos" is a much more upbeat and up-tempo track with reggaeton and urban influences. This song is super fun and empowering and is a great way to fuse the singer's fanbases. Catchy, exciting, and hot, "Labios Mordidos" is another hit for the two artists, especially on their second collaboration.
A week before the release of the album, Kali started teasing the next single "Igual Que Un Ángel" w/ Peso Pluma. I would be lying if I didn't say I haven't been thinking about this song since it was teased. The sonics, productions, and vocals are all amazing. This song is a dreamy pop and R&B-infused track with a stellar feature from Latin powerhouse Peso Pluma. Peso is known for his unique tone and vocals which he adapts and tones down for this tranquil track. "Igual Que Un Ángel" is easily the best track on the album, standing out in all the best ways.
Singles aside, "ORQUÍDEAS" opens with "¿Cómo Así?" a track that builds and captivates the listeners. This song is a perfect introduction to the album, featuring catchy melodies and an upbeat building production. The chorus of this song is fun and memorable. Kali's vocals on this are whole-hearted and showcase her vast vocal abilities. Moving on, we are presented with "Me Pongo Loca" another catchy and rhythmic track under Kali's belt. The singer just isn't capable of making a bad song. She and her creative team know how to craft a rhythm and dreamy track. "Me Pongo Loca" details the singer's passion for her relationships and what she brings to the table. Confident and concise, this song is strong and introduces the rest of the tracks perfectly. Following "Igual Que Un Ángel" is "Pensamientos Intrusivos". "Pensamientos Intrusivos" focuses on the singer's intrusive thoughts in a relationship. She discusses thinking about her lover every day and notes wanting to be without them at all times. The track sits over pop and R&B style production with an upbeat twist. Kali adds her stellar vocals that we all know and love. "Pensamientos Intrusivos" is another strong song Kali introduces. It makes a great follow-up to the previous songs. Next, we have "Diosa". "Diosa" opens with a unique production with a simple building reggaeton beat. This song builds even further revealing a bright and catchy chorus. "Diosa" is another treat found in this album. The lyrics are a full embodiment of manifestation. Kali is portraying herself as a total goddess and saying she deserves the world because of it. This song is a great, empowering, and catchy song to remind you that you are the one in control. On track 7, "Perdiste", the singer takes on a more simple approach than the past songs. More of a rhythmic and lyrical song,
"Perdiste" centers around Kali discussing how a person in her past had lost her. This relationship is more of a disservice to the person who has lost Kali. She says it's a shame that that happened, but it was for the best. "Perdiste" is a relatively shorter song than the rest, it almost feels like an elongated interlude in the best way.
Halfway through the project, we are met with "Young Rich & In Love". This song is a refreshing reintroduction to the upbeat and rhythmic nature that has been created on this album. Catchy melodies, great vocals, and amazing production are rooted throughout this song. On her 4th album, we expect nothing less from the visionary that is Kali Uchis. In this track, Kali solidifies how happy and free she feels in her relationship in all ways. She discusses how calm and unrestrained she feels like she has it all. Next is "Tu Corazón Es Mío…", another beautiful love song. After the singer broke the news of her pregnancy and released a music video highlighting her family, we can't help but look at this song and visualize the lyrics presented in a more meaningful way. "Tu Corazón Es Mío…" is Kali telling someone special to her that she will always be by their side and that their heart is mine. A special song, especially given the news. This song has a tranquil and upbeat energy to it. We are then met with the re-envisioned "No Hay Ley Parte 2" w/ Rauw Alejandro. Featuring refined production, verses, and an added feature from Rauw, this song has a more futuristic and pop dance vibe to it. In the solo and re-envisioned versions, the beat and production always stood out with the vocals. The beat in this new version hits hard and is easy to follow making the song center around dance and house energy more. After an upbeat and house-styled song like this, we are met with the second to last track titled "Heladito". "Heladito" is filled with dreamy percussion and beats that build with added glittery instrumental effects. Kali's vocals lay over top of these productions beautifully, perfectly completing the song. Featuring talking style verses after the chorus, this song has a vast and diverse sonic style to it. This track is Kali talking about her relationship and her desire to be spoiled with ice cream and other affection gifts. And lastly, closing out the project, we are met with, "Dame Beso // Muévete". Kali picked this song wisely to close out the project, full, hearty, and traditional, this song is the perfect closer. Having modernized traditional Latin production, we can hear Kali add in her clever melodies and catchy lyrics in the last song, The choruses are as catchy as ever and are a special way to close out the album. She experiments with her flow through her lyrical styles and vocals which make this one of the most unique songs on the album. The first half of the song is Kali describing to her lover when she needs to be kissed and the second is a chant to everyone to get up and just dance, a powerful way to close out this project.
Track Ranking:
"Igual Que Un Ángel" w/ Peso Pluma
"Diosa"
"Te Mata"
"Young Rich & In Love"
"Labios Mordidos" w/ Karol G
"Dame Beso // Muévete"
"Heladito"
"Tu Corazón Es Mío…"
"Me Pongo Loca"
"Pensamientos Intrusivos"
"No Hay Ley Parte 2" w/ Rauw Alejandro
"Muñekita" w/ El Alfa and JT
"¿Cómo Así?"
"Perdiste"
"ORQUÍDEAS" marks the fourth album and second Spanish language album from the singer. On these 14 tracks, the singer demonstrates her talent even further than she did on her previous project. "ORQUÍDEAS" solidifies Kali as a genius artist as she experiments with different genres and subgenres through this project. This album was released under Geffen Records and marks the singer's fourth album altogether and second Spanish language project. Uchis has already started teasing her fifth album before the release of "ORQUÍDEAS". The singer says her fifth album is almost complete, will have no features, and will be released sometime in 2024. We are eagerly excited to hear what's next for Kali and can't wait to see her next moves as an artist.
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