The debut full-length studio release for the Virginia artist features guest appearances from Bootsy Collins, Steve Lacy, Jorja Smith and Tyler The Creator as well as production from Gorillaz, Kevin Parker, Thundercat and others.
The debut full-length studio release for the Virginia artist features guest appearances from Bootsy Collins, Steve Lacy, Jorja Smith and Tyler The Creator as well as production from Gorillaz, Kevin Parker, Thundercat and others.
7.8
Kali Uchis
Isolation
Artist Origin: 🇺🇸
Release Date: 6 April 2018
Label: EMI
Genres: R&B / Soul
Prosecutor: Rich Isolation has never kept such good company; Kali's collaborators as varied as the album is eclectic. Loved how the record transitioned from one genre to the next without ever losing its cohesion. In less capable hands, this could have been pretty jarring - a little convoluted perhaps, but here it felt natural, effortless, inventive. Barely a dud moment to be had, and such a pleasure to discover an artist with the dexterity, vision and ability to unite such an exciting ensemble. Me gusto mucho! 8.9
Mike
This album is such an eclectic mix with some absolute bangers (In My Dreams, Just a Stranger, Flight 22) but with the odd misstep ie Nuestro Planeta which sounds like a sub-standard Shikira record. It definitely has a woozy R&B vibe throughout and can feel slightly sickly at times. Her voice is comparable to Winehouse in places. This feels very self assured and confident. I am confused by it as a whole piece but liked it more than I thought I would after the 1st listen. 7.5
Phil
Never thought I’d be celebrating Isolation in the midst of a global pandemic, then along comes Kali Uchis. From a cheeky Smiths nod (lookin for a job....?) to an ironically upbeat ear worm (In My Dreams (young fathers?)) with hints of Ay, Me Wine ‘ouse (Feel like a fool) it was a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Dead to me is a flop but overall I thought this album was a peach (and I like peaches). 7.5
Dan
Pop-tinged R&B meets breezy bossa nova grooves. Kali Uchis assembles a star-studded cast to deliver an eclectic and vibrant record full of self-assurance and swag.From the sleepy jazz-tinged opener ‘Body Language’ beckoning you to ‘come closer’ (ok, sure) to the funky defiant stomp of ‘Just A Stranger’ - there’s a rich tapestry of sounds across this record that keeps you engaged. Uchis’ lush vocals provide an intriguing contrast to some of the bleaker lyrical content across tracks such as ‘Dead To Me’ and the Tame impala-infused ‘Tomorrow’. Elsewhere, the bouncing synth-driven ‘In my dreams’ adds a sense of urgency towards the backend of the album, and the cameo from Damon Albarn is a real highlight. While penultimate track, ‘Feel like of fool’ is shimmering slice of 70s soul that evokes the spirit of Amy Winehouse. 7.1
Adam
Feels like a compilation album with the amount of different artists featuring from euro pop stylings to more soulful offerings. It’s all hung together with Uchis’ vocals which ooze with an Undercurrent of passionate bravado. ‘Tomorrow’ is a Song suited to put in the background of a film montage, the Colombian Rocky perhaps. Whilst there will be comparisons to Amy Winehouse I think more prevalent would be similar vocal stylings to Gwen Stefani (on stefani’s better days, Uchis is a stronger singer). Damon Albarn popping up ‘In My Dreams’, (haven’t said that in a while), was a pleasant surprise and a good tune. Tasting notes: Punchy Colombian cut with some chemical European pep. 7.6
< Prev | Home | Next >
Mike
This album is such an eclectic mix with some absolute bangers (In My Dreams, Just a Stranger, Flight 22) but with the odd misstep ie Nuestro Planeta which sounds like a sub-standard Shikira record. It definitely has a woozy R&B vibe throughout and can feel slightly sickly at times. Her voice is comparable to Winehouse in places. This feels very self assured and confident. I am confused by it as a whole piece but liked it more than I thought I would after the 1st listen. 7.5
Phil
Never thought I’d be celebrating Isolation in the midst of a global pandemic, then along comes Kali Uchis. From a cheeky Smiths nod (lookin for a job....?) to an ironically upbeat ear worm (In My Dreams (young fathers?)) with hints of Ay, Me Wine ‘ouse (Feel like a fool) it was a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Dead to me is a flop but overall I thought this album was a peach (and I like peaches). 7.5
Dan
Pop-tinged R&B meets breezy bossa nova grooves. Kali Uchis assembles a star-studded cast to deliver an eclectic and vibrant record full of self-assurance and swag.From the sleepy jazz-tinged opener ‘Body Language’ beckoning you to ‘come closer’ (ok, sure) to the funky defiant stomp of ‘Just A Stranger’ - there’s a rich tapestry of sounds across this record that keeps you engaged. Uchis’ lush vocals provide an intriguing contrast to some of the bleaker lyrical content across tracks such as ‘Dead To Me’ and the Tame impala-infused ‘Tomorrow’. Elsewhere, the bouncing synth-driven ‘In my dreams’ adds a sense of urgency towards the backend of the album, and the cameo from Damon Albarn is a real highlight. While penultimate track, ‘Feel like of fool’ is shimmering slice of 70s soul that evokes the spirit of Amy Winehouse. 7.1
Adam
Feels like a compilation album with the amount of different artists featuring from euro pop stylings to more soulful offerings. It’s all hung together with Uchis’ vocals which ooze with an Undercurrent of passionate bravado. ‘Tomorrow’ is a Song suited to put in the background of a film montage, the Colombian Rocky perhaps. Whilst there will be comparisons to Amy Winehouse I think more prevalent would be similar vocal stylings to Gwen Stefani (on stefani’s better days, Uchis is a stronger singer). Damon Albarn popping up ‘In My Dreams’, (haven’t said that in a while), was a pleasant surprise and a good tune. Tasting notes: Punchy Colombian cut with some chemical European pep. 7.6
< Prev | Home | Next >