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Album Review An Album That Deserves Praise
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ORQUÍDEAS
By Kali Uchis
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Kali Uchis, the first-generation Colombian-American, releases an album that could only be described as a triumph. In her fourth studio album (second Spanish album), Kali continues to be the tour de force that is no longer asking to be recognized. She's demanding.
Back in 2022, Kali promised two albums in one year: one in English and one in Spanish. She kept true to her promise with the release of 2023's 'Red Moon in Venus' (my #32 album of 2023). This was the English album she had promised, full of R&B cuts and delectable artist performances. Though it remains as my least favorite Kali Uchis album, it's nowhere near a bad or even average album.
With 3 exceptional albums under her belt, and an album rollout that included the insanely catchy singles, 'Muñekita', 'Te Mata', and 'Labios Mordidos', Kali was looking to surpass the already high highs of her career with the release of 'ORQUÍDEAS', her second Spanish album.
From the very first track, '¿Como Asi?', we are invited into Kali's sultry vocals over a very dancey, spacey, and ethereal beat. At this point, it's abundantly clear that this album is going to be a continuation of the sounds of her first Spanish album, 2020's 'Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios)', while also delving into new territory.
Aside from the singles that saw Kali collaborate with the likes of KAROL G, El Alfa, and JT, we also see her join forces with last year's Latino breakout star, Peso Pluma, and one of reggaeton's most well-known voices in Rauw Alejandro. Let me be honest, I am not usually a fan of the latter two, but Kali brings out the best of them on their respective tracks. So much so that 'No Hay Ley Parte 2' featuring Rauw is among my favorite tracks off the album.
And speaking of favorite tracks, the closer 'Dame Beso // Muévate' is an absolute monster of a merengue track. Having a two-part arrangement and playing homage to Grupo Rana's 'Aventurero' and Los Hermanos Rosario's 'La Dueña del Swing', Kali ends the album on such a high that you can't help but replay the album from the beginning again.
There is so much to love on 'ORQUÍDEAS' that I genuinely don't believe there to be a single bad track in here. Kali makes music for those of us who grew up with a Latino upbringing in the U.S. There's R&B, reggaeton, neo-soul, merengue, and more to be found across its 14 tracks. And for a kid born in Miami by Honduran parents, this album has everything I could possibly want out of a record.
Kali Uchis once again defies expectations to release an early Album of the Year contender in the month of January. We'll see how it holds up for the next 11 months, but I feel extremely confident in saying that this is her best work.
9.1/10
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