Kali Uchis - Red Moon In Venus

“It’s Valentine’s like every day,” sings Kali Uchis on the infatuating ‘Endlessly’, a lovey-dovey funk track that summarises this swoonworthy third studio album. “Love is the message,” she says. During a romantically paced narrative of rose-tinted infatuation, Kali portrays a lovestruck protagonist over gentle R&B and neo soul, with whispers of bossa nova and soft pop – really, doing what she does best. The angelic ‘Worth the Wait’ - which features a guest spot from Omar Apollo - follows the effervescent‘I Wish You Roses’, while later, the sensual disembodied voices of ‘Como Te Quiero Yo’ and dreaminess of ‘Hasta Cuando’ conjure lovesickness and romantic euphoria until heart-shaped chocolates and pink faux-fur cushions sprawl across the image of a Valentine’s suite. Largely, the record is gentler than the Kali we know from previous endeavours, with a little less liveliness than usual, but in slowing things down her velvety vocals become hypnotic, and its romantic lo-fi beats appear all-the-more colourful. A few smokier moments of trap pop elsewhere add attitude (see ‘Moral Conscience’ and ‘Deserve Me’ with Summer Walker). Ultimately, Kali’s intention to create a timeless album about love is met with expected ease.