Solita (Kali Uchis song)
"Solita" is a song by Colombian-American singer Kali Uchis. It was released on December 4, 2019, through Virgin EMI Records and Interscope Records.[1][2] Originally meant to serve as the lead single for Uchis’ upcoming second studio album, the track would later be demoted to a stand-alone single.
"Solita" | ||||
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Single by Kali Uchis | ||||
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Released | December 4, 2019 | |||
Recorded | 2018 | |||
Length | 2:58 | |||
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Kali Uchis singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Solita" on YouTube |
Composition
—Uchis on "Solita"[3]
"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.[1] It runs for 2 minutes and 58 seconds.[4] Described by Uchis as "sad, yet horny," the song was written in 2018 and is inspired by a breakup she experienced.[5] According to her, the song comments on the positive points of being alone, rather than the "toxic stuff" commonly associated with a single person.[6] The Fader's Jordan Darville described the track as a "Latin trap-influenced slow burn,"[2] and Pitchfork's Colin Lodewick noted a reggaeton beat.[7] Brazilian news portal R7.com labeled the track as a "modern R&B with Latin touches."[8] 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.[9]
Writing for Clash, Robin Murray characterized "Solita" as an "ode to independence, to rejecting societal pressure to embrace a relationship"[10] and an "ultra-addictive pop riot",[11] whilst Peter Helman from Stereogum deemed that it "returns to [Uchis'] old theme of isolation."[12] 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."[13] The song features Uchis singing in both English and Spanish.[14]
Music video
An accompanying music video for "Solita" premiered on December 18, 2019, and was directed by Amber Grace Johnson and filmed in Los Angeles.[15] Johnson hired frequent collaborator Object & Animal to produce the music video,[11] 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."[16] Clash's Murray wrote that the video is "a colourful, vivid return from a vital force."[11]
Synopsis
The video starts with Kali in a cocoon of glass in the middle of the desert.[17] 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.[18] The video ends with the same men who were surrounding her close their lighters individually and leaving Uchis in darkness.
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[4]
- 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
Chart (2019) | Peak position |
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US Latin Pop Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[19] | 9 |
References
- "Solita - Single by Kali Uchis". Apple Music. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
- Darville, Jordan (December 4, 2019). "Kali Uchis shares new song "Solita"". The Fader. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
- Wass, Mike (December 18, 2019). "Kali Uchis Returns With Bilingual Banger "Solita"". Idolator. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
- "TIDAL". Retrieved December 26, 2019.
- Kali Uchis on "Solita" (Video). March 12, 2019.
- Kali Uchis Talks About the Inspiration Behind "Solita", Her New Album and more (Video). YouTube. December 5, 2019.
- Lodewick, Colin (December 4, 2019). ""Solita" by Kali Uchis Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
- ""Solita" de Kali Uchis ganha clipe marcado pela sensualidade. Veja!". R7.com (in Portuguese). December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
- Charey, Ashwin (4 December 2019). "Kali Uchis Releases New Bilingual Song "Solita" -". mxdwn Music. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
- Murray, Robin (December 5, 2019). "Kali Uchis Marks Her Return With 'Solita'". Clash. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
- Murray, Robin (December 19, 2019). "Kali Uchis Seizes Her LA Swag In 'Solita'". Clash. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
- Helman, Peter (December 4, 2019). "Kali Uchis – "Solita"". Stereogum. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
- Alston, Trey (December 4, 2019). "Kali Uchis Makes A Breakup Sound Sexy On 'Solita'". MTV News. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
- Minsker, Evan (December 4, 2019). "Kali Uchis Shares New Song "Solita": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
- Kali Uchis - Solita (Official Video) (Music video). YouTube.
- Groce, Nia (19 December 2019). "Kali Uchis Shares Theatrical "Solita" Music Video". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
- Batterbury, Maria. "Kali Uchis : Solita, her new video clip sensual unveiled". The Saxon. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
- "Kali Uchis hypnotizes in sensual video for "Solita"". lab.fm. Bandlab Technologies. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
- "Kali Uchis Chart History (Latin Pop Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2019.