If you didn’t know, Kali Uchis dropped a new album on March 3, 2023, titled Red Moon In Venus. Once again, Uchis has blended pop and R&B, drawing us into a romantic fantasy accentuated by mesmerizing vocals. This album explores love and relationships while being able to grow into your true power. Red Moon In Venus is about divining into your feminine energy and embracing your spirituality, which Uchis Has been doing for a while. Even the title has spiritual meaning behind it. A red moon can have different meanings depending on what you believe. Some think of it to be chaotic and destructive, while others see it as a sign to explore yourself and your emotions. It’s a reminder to let go of all that is not serving you. Also, Venus is the planet of love, romance, and beauty. Based on the title, Red Moon In Venus is about exploring yourself and your relationships and releasing yourself from the negativity in your life, even if it is someone you love.
The major theme of this album is love, or what I see as Venus. In the first track, “in My Garden…” Uchis wants the listener to know that love went into this album and that she wants the best for everyone who listens. This album first dives into falling in love and wishing the best for people. Even if you may not like a certain person, it is better to wish them roses and blessings than hate. Uchis explains in the storyline beneath her Spotify lyrics, “I believe wishing well to everyone is a crucial part of making room for blessings to come into because when you wish the worst for others you only curse yourself.” In tracks such as “Love Between…,” “All Mine,” “Como Te Quiero Yo,” and “Hasta Cuando,” Uchis dives into focusing on the love that is present between two people and how beautiful it can be. She is reminding people that if the love is true and present, it’s important to block out those who hate your relationship and spread lies about you. In the song “Fantasy,” Uchis thinks people should dive into the idea of fantasy when it comes to love. She expresses that when in love, one should never settle for less while experiencing the love that is only seen in movies. This ties into the song “Moonlight,” which draws from that fantasy sound and discusses getting a natural “high” just from being with someone you love. It’s all about being a priority in someone’s life.
From what I have gathered, the second half of the album is focused on self-growth. In tracks such as “Deserve Me” (with Summer Walker) and “Happy Now,” Uchis is telling her listeners that one shouldn’t hold onto drama in your life. It is important to have happiness and peace of mind; even if it means leaving any type of relationship that doesn’t serve you. This ties into the track “Blue,” which deals with feeling distant and at odds with your partner. If it’s difficult to leave, one may just want to revitalize the love and try to remain on good terms. Yet, even if one has to step away from a relationship, never spread hate. In “Moral Conscience,” Uchis explains that in the end, doing wrong to good people will only curse you. Uchis is reminding the listener that part of self-growth isn’t only being the bigger person but being able to realize when certain aspects of your life are good or bad for you. Lastly, another aspect of transformation is learning how to deal with those who dislike you. In “Not Too Late (interlude),” Uchis explained in the Spotify storyline how this track was teasing her: “I wrote the hook actually as a tease to anyone obsessed with speaking negatively on my name, it’s not too late to admit you love me!”
Red Moon In Venus is a beautiful work of art that deals with the ideas of love and transformation. Kali Uchis has once again done a wonderful job blending genres, such as pop and R&B, while creating a body of work that is eye-opening. Throughout the album, Uchis has stayed true to herself while allowing herself to open up and love. To me, this is such a spiritual and personal album. I cannot wait to continue to listen and gain more appreciation and understanding for each track. Lastly, as of now, my favorite tracks would have to be either “Moonlight” or “Love Between….” This is an album that everyone should listen to. If you liked Uchis’ previous albums, such as Isolation, then you’re bound to love Red Moon In Venus!