Orquídeas

Kali Uchis

By Marie Ronnander

In English, Orquídeas translates to orchids. For centuries, this flower has been perceived as a symbol of love, luxury, and sexuality. And Kali Uchis’ new album is exactly that. The cover art speaks volumes. She’s pressed to glass with nothing but the pink and purple hues of the glittering flowers surrounding her.

Kali Uchis is a rare musician who has found success in the american-capitol world through two musical languages. She experiments with bolero, Spanish guitar, and stirs in a sweet mixture of harps and bells with an electric background. Her lyrics flow in and out of Spanish with ease, combining the two languages with an enchanting and nearly hypnotic voice.

There are two sides to Orquídeas. First, we see the villain that Uchis sees within herself. Como Asi and Me Pongo Loca paint her as a temptress carefully designed to break a man's heart. But as the album rolls on, we see a realization that she was the one with a broken heart. “Diosa” is her eyes opening to her connection to the power of her own femininity. Te Mata is the truth unfolding to her; she doesn’t need to see herself as a diabla or live in the guilt of the past.

The orchid is the national flower of Colombia, the birthplace of Uchis’ father. This album is a nod to her heritage, as well as taking back her peace as a woman. It’s sultry, rhythmic, and absolutely stunning.