Karly-Marina Loazia, better known as Kali Uchis, is a Columbian-American artist who writes and produces most of her music. Uchis sings R&B, pop, hip-hop, and neo-soul. However, personally, I would classify her as a R&B/Soul. Uchis is known for doing collaborations with Tyler the Creator, the one credited for bringing her into the light, and Daniel Caesar, Gorillaz, Kaytranada, and Snoop Dogg. 

It has been three years since Uchis released Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios). Her last album wasn’t as successful, but “Telepatia” launched her into the Billboard 200 and went on to win Favorite Latin Song at the 2021 American Music Awards. Because the song was everyone’s go to on the radio, expectations for her next album were high. 

Uchis’, Red Moon in Venus, was released on March 3, 2023. It landed #4 on Billboard 200 and #2 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums. This is her  first top 10 on the list. 

Red Moon in Venus is Uchis’ third studio album. It consists of 14 tracks, (not including the 0:28 second introduction): I Wish you Roses, Worth the Wait (feat. Omar Apollo), Love Between.., All Mine, Fantasy (feat. Don Toliver), Como Te Quiero Yo, Hasta Cuando, Endlessly, Moral Conscience, Not Too Late (interlude), Blue, Deserve Me (with Summer Walker), Moonlight, and Happy Now. 

The album’s name comes from the time when astrologers believe one’s emotions come out the most. This is the perfect name for the album, as Uchis describes the vibe of her album as melancholy, erotic, sensual, romantic, and glittery. The overall theme of the album is about loving yourself like you love others. I recommend listening to this album when you’re feeling down or when you just want something to calm you down.

Of the 14 songs, three stood out to me — “Moonlight,” “Moral Conscience,” and “I Wish you Roses.” These songs were some of the snippets that prompted fans to urge her to release the album this year.

The song “I Wish you Roses” is about letting people go, but you wish them well with their departure. The song can be attributed to anyone, but to a teenager, it is especially relatable because we are all at the stage of life where we lose friends but gain them, too. The repetition of the title reminds the listener to wish things well and to just let it go. It makes the listener feel like they are one of a kind, and their love will be missed. According to Genius, “‘I Wish you Roses’ debuted at #81 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the chart week ending of February 4, 2023.” This is the first song in the album, which sets the whole album’s theme. I wouldn’t put this song in any other place on the album. It sets the listener in the mood to continue listening to the whole album. 

“Moral Conscience” talks about karma. It talks about people who think they can get away with things, really don’t, because it will always come back to bite you in the end. This song further illustrates the album’s theme, with lines like, “Yeah, everyone’s replaceable, but not me, though.” This song makes the listener feel empowered, as they will feel like good things will eventually come in time. This song reminds me of another song that Uchis has come out with, which is her popular collaboration with Tyler, After the Storm. If you have listened to After the Storm, I recommend listening to this song. It has the same underlying message that you are strong. 

“Moonlight” is the last song on the album, however, as the saying goes, Uchis “saved the best for last.” This is one of my favorite songs, and everyone else’s favorite, too. “Moonlight” reflects a common interest most women have, which is getting ready to go out. The song specifically highlights going out with a significant other, but in modern times, a lover can be anyone. According to Spotify, this song was inspired by late night drives with her significant other, Don Toliver. The 3.8 million viewed song has perfect vocals, with a high pitch tune that makes the listener feel like levitating. At the moment, this is my most played song from this album. I like to play this song when I’m in the car; this is when the “high” of the song hits.

Uchis’ has collaborated with the artists on the album before, except for her collaboration with Summer Walker, which people on social media, including myself, were excited for. I rank the collabs as follows: Summer Walker, Don Toliver, and lastly Omar Apollo. As much as I love Omar Apollo, I feel like their collaboration could have been better. Uchis and Apollo have collabed before, so I expected something better. However, Summer Walker and Don Toliver added a good mix of softness with powerful vocals. Uchis has a soft voice, while the other two have louder vocals, which I believe is the perfect combination for a good collaboration. I was not disappointed with Walker and Toliver’s collaboration. 

Red Moon in Venus is definitely a must listen to album, especially if you are into self-love and acceptance. The more you listen to it, the more it grows on you. Kali Uchis is an artist who continuously promotes confidence within yourself, which I believe is something 

everyone should incorporate in their life and have someone telling them that constantly. If you’re a music lover, you can get that boost of confidence from her.

I would give Red Moon in Venus an 8/10. The theme was consistent throughout the album, and the songs can make any car ride better. The album grows on you when you first listen to it. This album makes you relax and slow down. The album could have more upbeat songs, but overall, I love the slow ballad style Uchis went for.  If you listen to artists like SZA, Tyler the Creator, Frank Ocean, Daniel Caesar, and Steve Lacy, you would enjoy Kali Uchis, too.