KicK iii

The unrepentant indulgence of Arcas five-album Kick project was reflected not only in its size, but also in its boldly stylish attitude. Described by Alejandra Ghersi as a deep dive into heavy club music, KicK iii spotlights her musics most glamorous and combative elements. It begins with "Bruja," which echoes the fearless ferocity of KiCk is "Nonbinary" in its cutting vocals, stomping beats, and operatic scope worthy of an intergalactic ball or runway. On the rest of the album, Ghersi explodes "Bruja" into abstract shards that take her productions to futuristic, dramatic heights ranging from the swagger of "Rubberneck" and "Senorita" (during which she spits on her haters) to the synth orchestra that overtakes "Intimate Flesh." With its reliance on furious beats and tweaked vocals, KicK iii is both more abstract and more focused than the volumes that came before it. However, the duality that is a key part of Arcas music is still present. "Morbo" pairs synths so heavy they sound like theyre creaking under their own weight with helium-laced voices, and Ghersi slips a brief mournful passage into the audaciously carnal "Ripples." The way she toys with density and spaciousness reminds listeners of why her music has been so dynamic and surprising since the beginning of her career. At one point, "Skullqueen" is so packed with details, it sounds like the beat is gasping for breath; by contrast, Ghersi clears the air to let the rhythms hit harder on "Incendio" and "Electra Rex" and sends the album off with the wide-open, angelic palette cleanser "Joya." On its own, KicK iii may have the smallest range of any of the projects volumes, but its relentlessness is a key part of the anthology that provides lots of fascinating moments for those who love Arca at her most outlandish. ~ Heather Phares