Orquídeas by Kali Uchis: A dreamy ride through her mind 

By: Jenna Jenkerson

April 3, 2024

A person who has shaped my taste in music to what it is today is a friend of mine from middle school. He introduced me to the Arctic Monkeys, Kanye West, and Kali Uchis, who on January 12, released her 2nd Spanish language album, Orquídeas. I’m not her biggest fan but I adore some of her older tracks, such as “Melting” from her EP Por Vida, so I was excited to see what the songs from this album would turn out. Although my Spanish knowledge is very limited, some of the songs on this album might just make me fluent in Spanish. 

The album starts with its dreamy dance track “¿Cómo así?”, something likely to be heard in a nightclub in Madrid. Having a synth pop sound, it’s a sound I’ve never heard before from Uchis before and although not one of my favorites, the repetition of the lyric “¿Cómo así? Es así, ¿cómo así? Es así” is guaranteed to be stuck in your head for the rest of the day.  

After a similar sounding but more forgettable second track, Track 3 is one of my personal favorites. Called “Igual Que Un Ángel” and it features Mexican singer Peso Pluma. It also retains the dreamy sound radiating through the entirety of the album, but with a psychedelic twist. About a girl who is like an angel, Uchis’ vocals along with Peso Pluma’s unique voice pairs well together and introduces us to the other guest appearances coming up next.  

After the tropical reggaeton track “Diosa” came the best song of the album. Titled “Te Mata”, she’s saying goodbye to the lover who isn't treating her right and knowing she deserves better. The song’s instrumental makes her sounds like a female lead of an old Spanish movie and her voice sounds so soulful throughout the entirety of the song and is very different from the rest of the tracks. The trumpets and the drums also add so much to this song. Its vintage feel is very similar to the album’s final track “Dame Beso// Muévete”. The song is basically two songs in one, with “Dame Beso” being slower, and “Muévete” being a lot faster. I gasped when both songs came on, because of the amount of nostalgia it gave me. The songs remind me of the Spanish songs my mom would listen to, more specifically cumbia and salsa music.  

My least favorite parts of the album consisted of 3 of the 4 features. “Munekita” with JT and El Alfa was a very fun track but ultimately a bit messy and confusing. “Labios Mordidos” with Karol G was a little forgettable and it seemed like just another reggaeton song. Finally, “No Hay Ley Parte 2” is the best of the songs mentioned above but a House track from her is a little jarring and ultimately not one of my favorites. 

Orquídeas is dreamy, Spanish fantasy. An album that starts the first months of 2024 to a grinding halt and reminding listeners that this year, you have to prioritize yourself. This album is so groovy that I simply must stop myself from dancing to all of these songs. Orquídeas is another spectacular album by Kali Uchis and will be a guaranteed great listen.