Isolation

Each song on ‘Isolation’ sounds wildly different from the last, but Uchis proves to be the constant, pulling and manipulating the strings in all the right places.

Featuring a wealth of tracks covering jazz, soul, bossa nova, rap, hip hop, Latin music and a bit of everything in between, the album really keeps the energy going and brings even more single-worthy tracks than Uchis had already released. Considering even her most derivative moments bring her own unique flair, this is an album that straddles ambitious writing and classic ideas with precision.

For an album that’s 15 tracks to be this consistently good is a rarity, an anomaly, and an artistic triumph that should place it on every Best Of list at the end of the year. For Uchis to accomplish this while still holding on to seemingly all the cards, is even more rare, perhaps signaling a legend in the making.

Uchis builds off a classic foundation of soul, R&B, funk, and blues, bursting outward in dozens of innovative contemporary directions. On Isolation, she never sounds trapped in another era; she sounds free and inventive.

Isolation succeeds as a whole album because she flitters through different genres with apparent ease. No matter what she attempts, the songs are brimming with ideas, memorable hooks and gleaming production. They are enhanced by her adventurous and fearless spirit which shines through on this incredible debut. I’ll be surprised if there’s a better album released all year.

Isolation is a star turn from an artist who has proven she’s ready for it.

Barring an unforeseen release, 'isola†ion' is the pop album of the year

As she breaks down the triumphs and heartbreaks of real life, she deftly invokes her every musical whim—from 1970s soul to hip-hop beats that wouldn’t be out of place on a ’90s dance floor—to stunning effect.

Unlike the soft, almost ingénue qualities of Por Vida, Isolation fortifies itself against unwanted faces and/or forces. Uchis grew up, and in doing so, grew harder.

Aside from a couple of unnecessary tracks (particularly the interludes), Isolation is one of the year’s great surprises.

Uchis ... has been largely underrated the past few years, but Isolation might just finally give her the attention she deserves.

Thanks to its strong melodies and aesthetic, Isolation is a great and promising full-length debut from the Colombian soul singer.

Throughout Isolation, Kali manages to channel Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, Anti-era Rihanna, Donna Summer and scores of other grand divas, all while remaining true to her own indelible voice.

It’s as if Uchis has taken every record she ever loved and distilled its essence, mixing the results into a delicious aural perfume, fused with the warm sunshine base-notes of her native Colombia.