The 20 Best Albums of the Year (So Far)
variety.comChris Willman This Colombian-American singer’s third album finds all of the elements of her past records — R&B, dance, Latin and hip-hop — fusing into a lush, lavish, luscious hot tub of an album, conjuring visions of plush feather beds, fluffy pillows and bubble baths, although the lyrics will occasionally jolt the listener out of their chill (“One thing about karma, that bitch will find you”).
Her voice might sound sweet, but Kali Uchis does not play. While her previous album, “Sin Miedo,” was primarily sung in Spanish with occasional verses in English and a big contribution from superstar Latin producer Tainy, this one flips that lyrical formula and brings in a battery of collaborators: Omar Apollo, Summer Walker and Don Toliver each guest on a song apiece, and there are a dozen-odd different producers.
But despite that polyglot team, clearly Uchis herself is setting the tone and calling the shots. There are plenty of references here — “Blue” is the best Sade song since the last Sade album (complete with a “Smooth Operator” sax in the distance), and “Love Between” has a ‘70s Philly soul vibe that recalls Silk Sonic’s retro fetish — but those are passing glances.
Cliché as it sounds, despite the kick in the lyrics, “Red Moon in Venus” is a record for dimming the lights, lighting the candles and leaving on “repeat.” —Jem Aswad There’s dynamite in that tunnel.
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