Author: Hannah Mae Cox
Kali Uchis’s latest release is 44 minutes of perfection: varied, memorable sounds, lush vocals, and an overall warmth that I can’t stop returning to. ORQUÍDEAS has been my favorite album this month, delivering the exact energy that feels so lacking from my gloomy and bitter January days. Streaming it the night of its release when I was sick with COVID in my dorm room and it was under 20 degrees outside my window is an encapsulation of the album’s brightness, a glow that transports you to a pink beach sunset or a bedroom full of candles and flowers or a dance floor permeating with the smell of perfume and sweat.
My KXSU show that week was dedicated to the album. I played some of my favorite songs from ORQUÍDEAS as well as tracks in the same vein as Kali Uchis’s sparkly synthy smooth vibe of late. Below are some highlights and a breakdown of the set.
We began with “¿Cómo Así?”, also the opener of the album. Kali Uchis and house music converge on this track in three minutes of bliss, crystalizing the danceable mood of the album in full. Next in my set, I played “Talk To Me Nice” off Tinashe’s most recent release, BB/ANG3L. Her quick album has a fresh R&B sound and this song has been one of my favorites of the month. Later in the show was “Gravity” off this project as well. “Truth or Dare” by Tyla follows, with the emerging artist’s lush vocals on display over a satisfying track.
Progressive electronic icon Kelela was featured on my set, with “Closure” (Flexulant x BAMBII remix) and their song with PinkPanteress, “Bury Me.” In a similar sonic flavor, we heard ABRA’s “FKA MESS” and ROSALÍA’s addictive “SAOKO.” I also played the original release of “NO HAY LEY” by Kali Uchis, which receives a part two on the new album featuring Rauw Alejandro with a reggaeton makeover.
Then, more Tinashe: I played her collaboration with Shygirl on “Heaven” which has a soft and easy groove, followed by the Spanish dance-pop “Femenine” by Empress Of. I first encountered Empress Of live at the Paramount Theater when she opened for Rina Sawayama – a flawless pair. Next, I played “Which Way (feat. dystopia)” by FKA twigs off of the acclaimed mixtape CAPRISONGS, which embodies the hazy avant-pop I’ve been loving lately and the sonically engaging elements of ORQUÍDEAS.
More of the Kali Uchis tracks I played on-air include the yearning “Pensamientos Intrusivos,” the lavish and in-love “Tu Corazón Es Mío,” and “Perdiste,” wrapping up my set with an atmospheric, lofty sound. Other favorites of mine from the album are “Young Rich & In Love” and “Diosa,” but I truly love each track and have been replaying ORQUÍDEAS through my headphones non-stop. Listen to my set playlist for January 16th below, and tune in to Miss World with Hannah Mae on Tuesdays at 4pm on 102.1 FM. All my love to The Queen Ms. Uchis!
Hannah Mae Cox | KXSU Music Reporter