With ‘Sincerely,’ Kali Uchis pours an album made for her by her

On May 9, the enchanting Kali Uchis unveiled her fifth album, Sincerely, to the world. A year after the release of ORQUÍDEAS, Kali signs her third album in English. She offers us a perfect compilation of retro ballads centered on faith, a mother’s love, and the tenderness of motherhood.

Summer is coming! And this year, Kali gifts us not just soundtracks but a sanctuary. Between futuristic R&B, sensual pop, and vintage soul with Latin accents, Kali opens her musical universe wider than ever, revealing her eclectic sensibilities and emotional depth.

On the album’s vinyl sleeve, Kali pens a message that feels both intimate and universal: « May you love without fear of being hurt / Know peace without fear of fighting & find home without constantly searching to belong / Sincerely, Kali Uchis ». These are the hopeful words that Kali Uchis delivers in a letter. Is it addressed to herself or to her fans, or perhaps both ? The ambiguity is part of the magic here.

Sincerely, : « A full encapsulation of my heart »

Sincerely, is an album that Kali Uchis wrote above all for herself—for the future Kali. All the tracks on this album are open letters to sensitivity, honesty, and self-love.
« I wanna do a project that’s just sentimental, emotional, vulnerable… », she confides on the Broken Record Podcast.

She wrote and composed this album in her home studio, deliberately including no collaborations to emphasize its autobiographical approach. She surrounded herself with a range of musicians and technicians, including Josh Crocker, Alex Goose, Aaron Frazer, John Anthony Rodriguez, and many others, for instrumentation and technical support.

In an interview with AP Los Angeles, Kali talks about her creative process, which reveals the deeply personal nature of her work. Sincerely’ is for her: « a full encapsulation of my heart, like I wanted to put my heart, my whole heart into a project. I feel it that’s this one. » […] At the time I might not have even realized subconsciously that I was making all of this just to heal myself. And then looking back on it and listening back to the music now, everything makes a lot of sense. »

Nature is Kali’s Muse. In Sincerly, she reconnects with her roots: « I’m kinda leaning back to my roots in music but doing it in a fresh way », delivers the artist on the Broken Record Podcast. Second is the inspiration within the titles of some of her projects such as I wish You Roses, ORQUÍDEAS or « I gravitate a lot about nature […] There is so many thematically, a lot of nature, it’s kinda like a recurent theme in my music, because I’m so inspired by nature. She sees nature the creation of God, something that « just thrives » her creativity.

Between motherhood and mourning she found the strengh to create

The album’s emotional core is shaped by profound life changes: the birth of her first child and the loss of her mother.« Shortly after working on the album, I became pregnant which was such a big part of being able to feel even deeper that I ever have, » Kali shares.

Sincerely’ becomes both a tribute and a balm – a testament to the cycles of love and loss

An introsceptive journey through Kali’s tracks

I’ve put together a few descriptions, some of them anecdotal, of what you need to remember about the sonic ambience of the lyrics, from the first to the last track of the album.

Let’s start with ‘Heaven Is A Home…’, the first song from Kali Uchis’ 5th studio album. The song was unveiled in a video posted by Kali Uchis, where she revealed the album’s track listing.

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Kali asserts in ‘Heaven Is A Home…’ her right to privacy, to her son and family, and to respect in a world that often denies this autonomy to women, especially prominent mothers.

The lush, dreamy track ‘Sugar! Honey! Love!’ sets a sensual tone, enveloping us listeners, in sweet honeyed melodies. The warmth and groove of this song evokes a sense of nostalgic romance and comfort

The love letter she delivers in ‘Lose My Cool,’ is filled with references to her past and present life. The phrase « Take off your cool ’cause I wanna see you,«  is a reference to the OutKast song ‘Take off your cool‘ she loved as a child. A bridge intervenes in the middle to give way to a great declaration of love:

Don’t let go
Just keep holding on to love
All I do, all I know
Is keep holding on to love

In this second part of the song, we dive even deeper, revealing the hold this love has on Kali and the way it disrupts her emotional balance while becoming something she can’t live without.

‘It’s Just Us’ is a witchy, ethereal song that reminiscents of Fleetwood Mac, with a mystical, cinematic atmosphere. Originally crafted by D4vd as “forever in love,” it now channels a sense of magical intimacy.

‘For: You’ gives a heartfelt message to a loved one. This track is intimate and direct, continuing the album’s theme of personal letters and emotional transparency.

In ‘Silk Lingerie’, Kali explores self-worth in the face of unconditional love. She sings about feeling flawed and overwhelmed, questioning how someone could fall for her despite her imperfections. She also interpolates ‘Million Dollar Man’ by Lana Del Rey with the sentence « How did you fall for someone complicated and flawed«  who add a layer of longing and introspection.

‘Territorial’ is a vampy, groove-driven song that touches on boundaries and possessiveness in relationships, blending assertiveness with sensuality.

In ‘Fall Apart, Kali explores the idea of being loved for who she truly is—her thoughts, spirit, and emotions—not just her beauty or perfection, but also in her most exposed and difficult moments. It’s a song about emotional unraveling and the fragility of love, featuring lush instrumentation and a sense of melancholy.

In her ‘All I Can Say’ videoclip, Kali installs a gothic vampiric visual, embodying LA’s Morticia Addams and inviting us to slow dance with her. The soundtrack feels like a ballad in Malibu, because of the spongy sounds of the guitar.

‘Gaggers!’ is a sharp, energetic track that uses the metaphor of daggers to express pain, betrayal, or emotional defense mechanisms. We all have a friend to whom we’ll dedicate this particular song, for me I already did!

‘Angels All Around Me…’ is a spiritual, uplifting song that finds Kali reflecting on protection and guidance, surrounded by a celestial sonic palette.

The airy interlude that gives ‘Breeze!’ brings a sense of relief and hopefulness amid the album’s emotional intensity.

‘Sunshine & Rain…’ opens with Kali’s mother’s voice saying “Good Morning Sunshine,” adding a personal touch and blending nostalgia with optimism. The music video features Kali as a cartoon cheetah, emphasizing playfulness and warmth.

The closing track ‘ILYSMIH’ is a sweeping gesture of love and gratitude, bookending the album with vulnerability and emotional closure. The title stands for “I Love You So Much It Hurts,” encapsulating the album’s themes of love, loss, and healing.

A love letter to healing and home

Kali Uchis’ fifth album, Sincerely, arrives just in time for summer, offering more than just a soundtrack—it’s a sanctuary. Blending retro ballads, futuristic R&B, and vintage soul with Latin flourishes, Kali crafts a musical universe that’s as eclectic as it is intimate, centered on themes of faith, motherhood, and emotional healing.

This spirit of vulnerability and hope runs through every track, as Kali pours her heart into music shaped by profound life changes—becoming a mother and mourning the loss of her own.

Written and produced largely in her home studio, Sincerely, is an autobiographical journey just with Kali and her closest collaborators, delving down into her rawest emotions. The result is a collection of open letters to love, loss, and self-discovery, inviting listeners to find comfort and connection in her honesty.