By Ryan Vann

For the Diamondback

 

Kali Uchis is truly a blessing to the world of mainstream pop music.

Uchis stands out in an era of massive hits and radio-friendly music, continuing to take risks and push boundaries with her art. Her 2024 reggaeton-pop album Orquídeas proved she can make stellar music across multiple genres.

With Sincerely, which was released Friday, Uchis once again flaunts her musical evolution, delivering an innovative and exciting experience.

The album tells the story of Uchis overcoming her trauma and finding meaning through the joy of her new relationship. The album’s opener, “Heaven is a Home,” does a great job of setting this theme with its uplifting progression and a soft, assured tone in Uchis’ voice.

“This is a story of a girl / who was once imprisoned by her own mind / And freedom never felt this good,” Kali sings in the song’s outro.

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Uchis shys away from radio hits on Sincerely, feeling instead like a free-form psychedelic experience that allows listeners to lose themselves in another world. Seamless transitions on tracks such as “Lose My Cool” into “It’s Just Us,” where the airy guitar chord bled right into the next track as the drums came in, made me feel like I was levitating.

Uchis’ vocals, as angelic and enchanting as ever, remain a standout.

The chorus of “Sugar! Honey! Love!”, where she stretches her voice higher and higher with each word, is a euphoric reflection of the love she feels. She later contrasts this by lowering her voice when describing the pain and distrust from her past relationships. Uchis’ shifting vocal tones work brilliantly to make the listener feel every emotion, mirroring her complex emotions with changes in pitch and cadence.

Uchis similarly delivers on the album’s production, creating an otherwordly atmosphere. Her recurring use of dreamy, reverberating guitars is reminiscent of Frank Ocean and Lana Del Rey and best exemplifies the ethereal vibe.

“Lose My Cool,” another production highlight, starts with an upbeat electrical guitar and an incredibly infectious chorus. But Uchis stops singing halfway through as the drums slow down, allowing the guitar to fill the space and transition into a moody atmosphere.

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“And I won’t pretend that things are okay / whenever I’m without you babe It don’t feel right / it don’t feel safe,” Kali sings near the end of the track.

“Fall Apart” features heavy echoing synths, as various strings and drums enter the mix. The culmination of instruments as she repeats, “you by my side,” during the chorus was mesmerizing.

Sincerely, also touches on themes of spirituality, which fits well with its mystical production and its messages of growth and healing.

Uchis uses heaven as a metaphor on tracks such as “Sunshine & Rain…” symbolizing her romantic awakening and newfound purpose.

“Through sunshine and rain, as seasons change / we all need somebody that makes the Earth feel heavenly,” Kali sings on the chorus.

On the track “Angels All Around Me,” she sings about her spiritual transformation and prays for herself, her family and future generations.

In the outro, she sings: “We don’t gotta understand each other / we just gotta let each other be,” delivering a powerful message about acceptance. I admire her for revealing her spiritual side here to showcase her growth and healing.

During the final moments of the album’s closer, “ILYSMIH,” we hear her child call out over a soft piano and guitar — a beautiful moment that perfectly represents Uchis’ newfound “heaven.”