The energy of Orquídeas is unlike any other album by Kali Uchis, and holds no room for limitations. Uchis is leading by example for other Latin artists who are wanting to expand into different genres. The symbolism and intentionality of this album is present in every detail. Uchis has embodied a sense of unpredictability within her work, and the collaborations and overall range of Orquídeas attest to that. Whether you are a Spanish speaker or not, the energy and emotion within the music transcends language.
Kali Uchis the Colombian American singer and songwriter released her fourth album, Orquídeas on Jan. 12. Orquídeas is Uchis’s second Spanish album, and according to Billboard it has seen her biggest sales week yet, coming in at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart as of Jan.27.
This album saw even more success, with it reaching No. 1 on the Vinyl Albums ranking, No. 1 on Top Latin Albums (for the first time), and No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Orquídeas consists of 14 songs, supported by three singles, Muñekita featuring El Alfa and JT, followed by Te Mata, and Labios Morddidos featuring Karol G.
Although this is not her first Spanish album, Orquídeas is so much more experimental than her first Latin album Sin Miedo released in 2020.
The range of genres present is a testament to how free of limitations Uchis is as an artist being in her own distinct lane. Orquídeas is a tasteful fusion of different genres, from a mix of synth and dream pop, contemporary R&B, house, Latin disco, bolero, perreo, reggaeton, dembow, and merengue.
Uchis’s identity as an artist is not tied down to only being a Latin artist, her exploration with different sounds and adding her own trademark has established Uchis as an un-comparable artist. An example of an Uchis trademark is in the 90s merengue track, Dame Beso // Muévete, it is not a conventional merengue but a combination of two types, a sound not many have experimented with.
In an interview with Billboard, Uchis spoke about wanting to inspire other Latin artists, and artists in general to play with different genres. Her goal of expanding the way people view what Latin artists are capable of is very present throughout this album.
From the name to the visuals, and within the songs themselves, this album was crafted with great intentionality and symbolism. Orquídeas means orchids in English, which is the national flower of Columbia as well as the flower of fertility.
With this being her second Spanish album, it is even more meaningful for her country’s flower to be the name of the album and be incorporated in the cover photo. Uchis also revealed her pregnancy for the first time online, in the music video for Tu Corazón Es Mío / Diosa.
The album really lives up to its title and the symbolism of Orquídeas, immersing the listener into a feeling of luxury, beauty, and femininity from start to finish. Another intentional element of this album is the fluidity and harmony of the transitions between songs.
We hear this after the first song ¿Cómo Así? going into Me Pongo Loca where the transition is so smooth it almost feels like a continuation of the first song. The effortless flow continues through the first six songs, especially the transition between Pensamientos Intrusivos and Diosa where we hear the same beat continue into Diosa, before evolving into a Latin-pop beat.
Uchis’s devotion to her craft is really found in the details of her work, and Orquídeas is another example of how she executes her vision in every aspect.
The element of timelessness that’s a part of her essence as an artist can be traced to her uncalculated and unpredictable approach. Orquídeas is Uchis’s dance album, with it being the most energetic album of hers yet, catching her fans by surprise.
Uchis’s collaboration with Peso Pluma in Igual Que Un Ángel was an unforeseeable duo that wouldn’t really make sense until you listen to this song. Known mainly for making corridos and reggaetón, we hear another side of Pluma in this dreamy, synth-pop song.
Another collab that no one saw coming was with City Girls’ JT, and El Alfa in Muñekita. This sample of Dem Bow by Andy Boy and DJ Blass is a dembow and reggaetón infused lead single, and the first time we hear these distinct artists all on one track.
Te Mata and Dame Beso // Muévete are two songs where we really hear Uchis break out of any box she’s been put into, and we are reminded that she is a limitless artist. In Te Mata we hear a new exploration of bolero, and in the closer of the album Dame Beso // Muévete, the roller-coaster of surprises continues as we are left with this Uchis trademark of merengue and musica tropicale.
After ten years of Uchis being in the industry, she continues to show us how multi-faceted she really is as an artist. Her fearlessness to experiment with so many different genres, has made her an example to other Latin artists who are wanting to expand into different sounds.
Through her music, Uchis has distinguished herself as a timeless artist, and Orquídeas is another example of the type of symbolic and tasteful music she creates. The unpredictable collaborations and the exploration of different genres throughout this album shows the extent of her range and capabilities as an artist.
Kali Uchis has always remained true to herself and unbothered with competition, something that translates into her music, and we are reminded of this in Orquídeas. If you haven’t listened to the album yet, what are you doing?