Kali Uchis - Sincerely
Kali Uchis’ fifth studio album is a love letter — to her partner, her child, the world, but most importantly, to herself. It’s a deeply personal and emotionally charged record, one that feels like her most intimate work yet.
It’s impossible to doubt Uchis’ sincerity. Her biggest hits and fan favorites have always carried the weight of unspoken confessions — like texts you hesitate to send to your crush. Sincerely, stays true to that energy, perhaps making it her most vulnerable release to date.
Uchis has always been a hopeless romantic. On “Sugar! Honey! Love!” she reflects on past relationships and her struggles with trust. But this time, it seems she’s finally found real love — and she’s ready to share it with the world. “Freedom’s never felt this good,” she sings on the radiant opening track, “Heaven is a Home”… And you believe her.
At its core, Sincerely, is an album about finding love everywhere. On “Lose My Cool”, she imagines the perfect partner and a future together. The track, spanning six minutes, doesn’t overstay its welcome — its two-part structure and Uchis’ soft, honeyed vocals make it feel like a remedy for the soul.
The production on Sincerely, is dazzling. At times, it evokes the feeling of stepping into a late-80s romantic drama, where the protagonist gets ready for a date. Other moments place you on a seaside terrace at sunset, sipping wine as the sky turns gold. The synths play a starring role throughout — on Just Us, they flicker like stars scattered across a midnight sky.
Lush, melancholic ballads flow seamlessly into one another, so effortlessly that you barely notice when one song ends and another begins. It works in the album’s favor — Sincerely, envelops you like silk, holding you close. It’s rich, velvety chocolate melting on your tongue.
Uchis' lyricism feels strikingly raw. She wears her emotions openly, letting them bleed into every word. On “For: You”, she sings, “Love is a gun / I’ll bite the bullet” — at once delicate and unstoppable. She masterfully blends English and Spanish on “Silk Lingerie”, murmuring, “Estás en mi mente every night and every day”. A message like that from a lover could send you sprinting across town at midnight.
The journey continues with “Fall Apart”, a heartbreakingly beautiful track that threatens to shatter the listener. “Sunshine & Rain” follows suit — possibly one of the most hypnotic songs released this year. And finally, “ILYSMIH” closes the album on a perfect note: the sound of a child’s laughter and the word “mommy”. Last year, Uchis and her partner, Don Toliver, welcomed their first child.
Sincerely, could be the soundtrack to getting ready for a date, reminiscing on past love, or simply unwinding. But at its core, it carries a simple, profound message: love is everywhere.
8.6/10
