Solita (Kali Uchis song)

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"Solita"
Single by Kali Uchis
from the album Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios)
Language
  • English
  • Spanish
ReleasedDecember 4, 2019 (2019-12-04)
Recorded2018
GenreReggaeton[1]
Length2:58
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Kali Uchis singles chronology
"Time"
(2019) 		"Solita"
(2019) 		"Aquí Yo Mando"
(2020)
Music video
"Solita" on YouTube

"Solita" is a song by Colombian-American singer Kali Uchis. It was released on December 4, 2019, through Virgin EMI Records and Interscope Records.[2][3] Originally meant to serve as the lead single for Uchis’ second studio album, Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios), the track would be excluded from the standard version of the album. The song would later be included on the vinyl release and its 2021 deluxe edition.

Composition[edit]

I’d rather dance alone than with the devil. This song is about healing, freedom and embracing the mixed emotions that come with that. I hope my fans feel sexy when they listen to it.

—Uchis on "Solita"[4]

"Solita" was written by Kali Uchis, Anthony Clemons, Jr., Marco Masis, Rupert Thomas Jr., and Jahaan Akil Sweet, with production being handled by the latter three alongside Austen Jux-Chandler.[2] It runs for 2 minutes and 58 seconds.[5] Described by Uchis as "sad, yet horny," the song was written in 2018 and is inspired by a breakup she experienced.[6] According to her, the song comments on the positive points of being alone, rather than the "toxic stuff" commonly associated with a single person.[7] The Fader's Jordan Darville described the track as a "Latin trap-influenced slow burn,"[3] and Pitchfork's Colin Lodewick noted a reggaeton beat.[8] Brazilian news portal R7.com labeled the track as a "modern R&B with Latin touches."[9] Mxdwmm's Ashwin Charey compared the song's production to that of 1980s synth-pop, while noting its influences from hip hop and format which follows a crescendo and diminuendo pattern.[10]

Writing for Clash, Robin Murray characterized "Solita" as an "ode to independence, to rejecting societal pressure to embrace a relationship"[11] and an "ultra-addictive pop riot",[12] whilst Peter Helman from Stereogum deemed that it "returns to [Uchis'] old theme of isolation."[13] Uchis' vocals on "Solita" are described by MTV News' Trey Alston as "stronger than it initially lets on, deepening into a swift and booming wind."[14] The song features Uchis singing in both English and Spanish.[15]

Music video[edit]

An accompanying music video for "Solita" premiered on December 18, 2019, and was directed by Amber Grace Johnson and filmed in Los Angeles.[16] Johnson hired frequent collaborator Object & Animal to produce the music video,[12] which presents Uchis in different characters and personalities, with Nia Groce from Hypebeast describing her looks as "outer-space themed [...] transforming into the likes of an exotic dancer and a goddess."[17] Clash's Murray wrote that the video is "a colourful, vivid return from a vital force."[12]

Synopsis[edit]

The video starts with Kali in a cocoon of glass in the middle of the desert.[18] She then performs with white pythons in the sand while short clips of Uchis featuring a futuristic mask in between scenes. Afterwards, she wears a red bodysuit while men appear to be worshiping around her. Later, she becomes surrounded by oiled-up men holding Zippo lighters while she smokes.[19] The video ends with the same men who were surrounding her close their lighters individually and leaving Uchis in darkness.

Personnel[edit]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[5]

  • Vocals: Kali Uchis
  • Songwriting: Anthony Clemons, Jr., Jahaan Akil Sweet, Kali Uchis, Tainy, Rupert Thomas, Jr.
  • Production: Austen Jux-Chandler, Jahaan Sweet, Sevn Thomas, Tainy
  • Engineering: Austen Jux-Chandler, Lauren D'Elia, Octavia Landix
  • Mastering: Colin Leonard
  • Vocal production: Austen Jux-Chandler, Lauren D'Elia
  • Mixing: Josh Gudwin
  • Mixing assistance: Elijah Mirritt-Hitch

Charts[edit]

Chart (2019) Peak
position
US Latin Pop Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[20] 9

References[edit]

  1. ^ Grech, Seb (November 25, 2020). "ALBUM REVIEW: KALI UCHIS – SIN MIEDO (DEL AMOR Y OTROS DEMONIOS) ∞". BPM. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Solita - Single by Kali Uchis". Apple Music. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Darville, Jordan (December 4, 2019). "Kali Uchis shares new song "Solita"". The Fader. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  4. ^ Wass, Mike (December 18, 2019). "Kali Uchis Returns With Bilingual Banger "Solita"". Idolator. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "TIDAL". Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  6. ^ Kali Uchis on "Solita" (Video). March 12, 2019.
  7. ^ Kali Uchis Talks About the Inspiration Behind "Solita", Her New Album and more (Video). YouTube. December 5, 2019.
  8. ^ Lodewick, Colin (December 4, 2019). ""Solita" by Kali Uchis Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  9. ^ ""Solita" de Kali Uchis ganha clipe marcado pela sensualidade. Veja!". R7.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  10. ^ Charey, Ashwin (4 December 2019). "Kali Uchis Releases New Bilingual Song "Solita" -". mxdwn Music. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  11. ^ Murray, Robin (December 5, 2019). "Kali Uchis Marks Her Return With 'Solita'". Clash. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  12. ^ a b c Murray, Robin (December 19, 2019). "Kali Uchis Seizes Her LA Swag In 'Solita'". Clash. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  13. ^ Helman, Peter (December 4, 2019). "Kali Uchis – "Solita"". Stereogum. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  14. ^ Alston, Trey (December 4, 2019). "Kali Uchis Makes A Breakup Sound Sexy On 'Solita'". MTV News. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  15. ^ Minsker, Evan (December 4, 2019). "Kali Uchis Shares New Song "Solita": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  16. ^ Kali Uchis - Solita (Official Video) (Music video). YouTube.
  17. ^ Groce, Nia (19 December 2019). "Kali Uchis Shares Theatrical "Solita" Music Video". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  18. ^ Batterbury, Maria. "Kali Uchis : Solita, her new video clip sensual unveiled". The Saxon. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  19. ^ "Kali Uchis hypnotizes in sensual video for "Solita"". lab.fm. Bandlab Technologies. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  20. ^ "Kali Uchis Chart History (Latin Pop Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 26, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2019.

External links[edit]

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