This week I wanted to tap into my Colombian roots and review Kali Uchis’ new album Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios). Granted it is a very long album title but it translates to “ without fear of love and other demons.” This is her first album in Spanish. At first, I thought this album was going to be a typical reggaeton album that most Colombian artists, and Hispanic artists for that matter, drop. I was, however, pleasantly surprised by what I heard.

As someone who lived in Colombia for a few years and visits there often, I have always wanted to find music that I can connect with sonically that makes me feel like I am there. This album did just that. It is difficult to choose the top three because there are two categories for me to choose from. I have a top three based on lyrics and beat and a top three based on the connection I feel to Colombia through the songs.

My top three that I enjoy lyrically and production-wise are “¡aquí yo mando!,“”fue mejor,” featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR, and “te pongo mal (prendelo).” Three are very romantic and very chill songs. 

I want to go into more detail about my other top three because those are the most important to me. They are “la luna enamorada,” “//aguardiente y limón %ᵕ‿‿ᵕ%,” and “que te pedí//.” They do have pretty strange titles but it only makes it more interesting. The power these three songs hold, for me, is incredible. I can close my eyes and listen to them and be transported to my grandma’s home in the mountains in Colombia. “La luna enamorada” is a beautiful tale about the moon in love and it has some R&B qualities as well as a very Colombian style of singing. The same goes for “que te pedí.” 

“//aguardiente y limón %ᵕ‿‿ᵕ%,” aguardiente is a Colombian liquor that is often served at weddings. You normally drink it with lemon. This song reminds me of a wedding I went to where my cousins were all drinking it and we danced so much and had the best time.

I didn’t think I would ever find modern music from Colombia that would be anything but reggaeton, other than vallenato and other types of music, but I did. This album makes me feel at home and happy. I’m very pleased with Kali Uchis for having created this.