‘Red Moon In Venus’ is Colombian-American singer-songwriter Kali Uchis’ third studio album. Released on March 3rd, 2023, the album features guest appearances from Summer Walker, Omar Apollo, and Don Toliver. 

Kali Uchis, born Karly-Marina Loaiza is a Colombian-American singer and songwriter born in Alexandria, Virginia, US. When Loaiza was a senior in high school, her father returned to Colombia to care for his sick mother. Loaiza spent the summer in Colombia with her father, uncles, and aunts. She would live with her mother and older siblings during the academic year.

In high school, Loaiza learned to play piano and saxophone. She practiced in a jazz band before graduating from T.C. Williams High School (newly renamed Alexandria City High School). She often skipped classes to spend time in the photo lab, where she made experimental short films. Her interest in photography evolved into a hobby of creating mix-tape cover art. Skipping class and breaking curfew eventually led to her being kicked out of her home. It was at this time that she lived in her car and wrote songs on her keyboard. She often spent time writing poetry and songs, but never imagined singing holding more of an interest in being behind the camera rather than being in the spotlight. She was given the nickname “Kali Uchis” by her father. 

Shortly after graduating, Uchis released her debut mixtape ‘Drunken Babble’ in August of 2012. It was regarded as “genre-bending”, noting influences of doo-wop, reggae, and early 2000s R&B. In February of 2015, she released her debut EP ‘Por Vida’, featuring production from artists like Diplo, Tyler, the Creator, Kaytranada, and BadBadNotGood. She embarked on her first tour through the US and Canada alongside Leon Bridges. 

From featuring on Gorillaz’ 5th studio album ‘Humanz’, to featuring on Canadian singer Daniel Caesar’s Grammy-nominated song ‘Get You’ – Kali Uchis was on the rise. In May of 2017, Uchis released the lead single of her debut album ‘Isolation’, ‘Tyrant’ featuring Jorja Smith. Officially released on April 6th, 2018, ‘Isolation’ received widespread acclaim from critics. Fusing genres like bedroom pop, indie, neo-soul, and R&B, ‘Isolation’ was described as “gliding effortlessly” between these genres. She then took her wide-ranging versatility to left-field on her Spanish-language album ‘Sin Miedo’ (del Amor y Otros Demonios), where she directs her love into luscious melodies. It has been fascinating to watch her loungey psychedelic vibe develop into confident, shapeshifting pop; a generation of fans has been captivated by her experimental nostalgia songs.

According to astrologers and popular ancient mythology, a red moon, or blood moon, is a bad omen that warns the death of a great patron, among other things. A red moon has a rusty, deep glow that reminds us that perfect alignments are rare, and it’s this divine emblem that Kali Uchis personifies as she glides through ‘Red Moon In Venus’. It’s an imaginative album that depicts lush, lovelorn tales of high-femme escapism without ever relinquishing control. It grabs you and doesn’t let go. Both the album’s debut single, ‘I Wish You Roses’, and the soft devotional ‘In My Garden…’ are brimming with chirping birds, blooming flowers, and declarations of love. These two songs ignite the album’s unwavering view of love. The first half of the album progresses as does the early part of a relationship: dreamy, endless, and all-consuming. She sings “Wanna spoil me in every way/It’s Valentine’s like every day” at the top of the pop-funk highlight track ‘Endlessly..’ 

Even at this album’s peak lucidity, Uchis never loses her grip on reality. This album serves as a love letter to love itself. It delights in the joys of love, soaring high and never coming down. ‘Red Moon In Venus’ makes a case for allowing love’s every phase to wash over you like a wave. 

This album is a beautiful work of art. It’s intentional, atmospheric, and intense in every way and earns an 8.5 out of 10, and recommend everyone listen to it at least once.