Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free
Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
Fresh from earning a place in the FT’s best albums of 2023, Kali Uchis is back with Orquídeas, her second release in less than a year. The first, Red Moon in Venus, was mainly sung in English. Its successor switches to the LA-based singer’s other language, Spanish.
Born in the US to Colombian parents, Uchis grew up in both countries. During an unhappy stint signed to the roster of a UK major record label, her desire to sing in Spanish as well as English was apparently treated as a nuisance. In fact, as her current US-based label evidently realises, it should be a boon. Latin acts now rival anglophone stars as the biggest names in pop. Colombia’s Karol G, who guests on Orquídeas, was among the most streamed acts in the world last year.
The two albums complement each other. Red Moon in Venus was themed around the idea of love: not the most innovative topic, but one that produced a captivating performance from Uchis. Orquídeas is supposedly a tribute to orchids, Colombia’s national flower: a more unusual concept for an album, although it turns out to be very loosely applied. Like the earlier album, the songs are actually about infatuation, break-ups and sex. Once again Uchis (real name Karly-Marina Loaiza) performs beautifully.
She is one of those rare singers who can sound retro and contemporary at once. Use of the whistle register recalls Mariah Carey, while an old-school nightclub turn on bolero track “Te Mata” brings to mind Amy Winehouse. But she is too versatile to be pigeonholed. Like her Spanglish lyrics, she moves seamlessly between different modes, from rhythmic singing to sensual melodies and semi-rapped conversationalism.
The music is more beat-based than its predecessor. It is also not quite as accomplished. The first half has a smoothly modern sound with club beats burbling in the background, pleasing to listen to but unexceptional. The album comes alive later. “Muñekita” is a super-catchy reggaeton track with Dominican rapper El Alfa and US rapper JT. Karol G turns up on another reggaeton highlight, “Labios Mordidos”. When the songcraft matches Uchis’s presence at the microphone, the results are first class.
★★★☆☆
‘Orquídeas’ is released by Geffen Records
