Ringing in the new year with Orquídeas

Kali Uchis is on a prolific winning streak. Barely a year ago, Uchis released her third studio album, Red Moon in Venus,and embarked on a North America tour. Now she’s back and shows no signs of slowing down. 

            Orquídeas is the fourth record from the Colombian-American singer. It is her second primarily recorded in Spanish. The opener “¿Cómo Así?” is a fun dance-pop track fit for voguing. The transition to “Me Pongo Loca” is almost flawless. Here we see Uchis set aside her pride and get real. She sings, “Digo que a mí me vale cero / Pero tampoco soy hecha de hielo” (I say I don’t care at all / But I’m not made of ice either). She goes on to explain that although she may get a little bit crazy, it’s not her fault. The record has a star-studded list of features from fellow Latin popstars Rauw Alejandro, El Alfa, Karol G, and Peso Pluma. On “Igual Que Un Ángel”, Uchis and Peso Pluma team up to create a modern-day disco track about a girl just like an angel. With glittering synths and a catchy chorus, the pair makes it hard for listeners to remain seated. I know I have been singing: “La favorita de Dios / la favorita de Dios / and it shows” (God’s favorite / God’s favorite / and it shows) at random times of the day since the record’s January 12th release.

            While there are plenty of dreamy synth-pop tracks on Orquídeas, there are a good amount of reggaeton stand outs, such as the kicky “Muñekita”, which features El Alfa and JT of the City Girls. “Labios Mordidos” is a sapphic dance floor anthem with Karol G, one of Latina women’s most beloved stars right now. We see Uchis go full señorita mode in a handful of songs where she returns to bolero in “Te Mata”. The album’s strong closer, “Dame Beso // Muévete” is a true merengue two-parter.

            Without a doubt, this is the most confident Kali Uchis has ever sounded. She’s earned her first ever number one album with Orquídeas.

Music Editor Elena Fry-Hernandez