ARCA
Electronic, Glitch, Art Pop.
XL Recordings.
Listening Format: Vinyl
Arca is the identity of Venezuelan Electronic musician and producer Alejandro Ghersi. He has risen to prominence rather quickly over the decade, transitioning from underground artist, to a high profile producer who has already collaborated with FKA Twigz and Bjork as well as releasing his own solo material. His first two records 'Xen' and 'Mutant' were very abstract and glitchy works favouring experimental and avant garde touches. Arca is also known for his very striking and somewhat disturbing visual imagery that accompanies not only his album artwork, but his public attire. He is often seen in videos and live performance dressed in androgynous attire, sometimes completely nude and wearing his trademark stilts. Arca has carefully thought out every aspect of his art, but will a move to a more conventional sound on a bigger label possibly dampen his craft?
If you've picked up a physical copy of this album then just opening the gatefold or CD case will confirm any fears that Arca may have softened up. The vinyl gatefold presents you with a close up of his bare ass, with something ominous and obscured emerging from the crack, leaving the mind to wonder... This image seems to be taken from his equally mind shattering music video for 'Reverie'. This self titled 3rd opus is by no means commercial or contemporary though. However, unlike his first two releases, it does include what feels like actual songs this time around!
Perhaps it comes from working with Bjork and FKA Twigz, but Arca successfully makes the transition from sound crafter and producer, to songwriter. 'Arca' includes for the first time, his own voice as he sings in Spanish language across a good chunk of the album. In fact the very first sound you hear on the record is his voice in the subtle and spectacular opener 'Piel', as dramatic and moody synths glide under his excellent and distinct voice. Fans of his earlier works shouldn't be worried, as the record soon transitions from dark, Lynchian voids into the glitchy and formless wonky electronic sounds he is known for. Single 'Desafio' comes close to sounding like a Pop song, but has enough menace in the air raid like sirens and stabbing synth sounds to keep it within realms of nightmares.
The fact this third full length is a self titled release starts to make sense because it feels like the point where an artist has truly found themselves. Arca successfully manages to merge well written vocal pieces into abstract and head scratching jagged soundscapes that go as deep as some of Aphex Twin and Autechre's more out there works. The way he manages to pull it altogether into a cohesive 43 minute journey is pretty magical. 'Arca' very rarely misses a beat and is a rewarding and wholesome listening experience that proves definitively that we have a new heavyweight contender in Electronic music and production on our hands. 8/10.
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