“The Isolation era of me eating the Por Vida era of me’s puss” is how Kali Uchis presents her mini-album of demos, To Feel Alive. While waiting for her next album, this raw, real-deal batch of Uchis, with its clever mix of sometimes veiled, sometimes vivid synths and Western-movie piano, and a voice with a vibrato recognizable among a thousand, will hold fans fine. Some of these demos date back to before Por Vida and some of them were even played during her tour with Jorja Smith. This is the case of “i want war (BUT I NEED PEACE)”, notably produced by Soundwave, who contributed to the hit song “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” by Kendrick Lamar. The EP attracts notice with its cover art, available in a choice of censored or uncensored versions – although this one is perfectly suited to the confined situation we live in – and by the fact that quality takes precedence over quantity. The best option remains to immerse oneself in what could be seen as a long R&B lullaby, to float in the middle of the pastel shades and let oneself be lulled by the fullness of this siren song.
