kick iiii

On kick iiii, Arca peels away the musical and emotional armor of the Kick projects previous volumes to reveal one of her most consistently beautiful works. Alejandra Ghersis music has always had a vulnerable side -- particularly on 2017s masterpiece Arca -- but this is the first time shes let down her guard so completely. Over the course of the album, Ghersi reclaims and celebrates the strange feminine, whether shes taking the plunge "to encounter the unknown" on "Whoresong" or setting a mood of independent sensuality on "Xenomorphgirl," which with its combination of rapturous tones and brash beats, immediately makes itself known as one of the projects signature tracks. Though kick iiii looks inward with "Boquifloja"s cocoon of hazy guitar and vocals, the albums numerous collaborations make it one of the projects more outward-reaching volumes. Producer/cellist Oliver Coates contributes a majestic arrangement to the blossoming "Esuna," while Shirley Manson appears as an icon of steely strength on "Alien Inside," beckoning Arca to find courage over a blaze of post-rock riffs. kick iiiis feeling of connection between the inside and outside extends to its continuation of the emotional journey Ghersi began with KiCk i. Her use of processed vocals here creates an entirely different effect than it did on KicK iii; on "Altar"s digital choir and "Queer," a neon-lit duet with Planningtorock, theres an alien tenderness that complements the previous albums robotic toughness perfectly. Ghersi even reaches back to Arca with "Hija"s operatic flourishes and "Lost Woman Found," a poignant triumph over inner turmoil that is every bit as moving as when Ghersi first added her voice to her music. Though combining contrasting elements in her music is usually one of her greatest strengths, hearing Arca concentrate on kick iiiis hyperreal sensuality and vulnerability makes it a crucial part of the Kick anthology. ~ Heather Phares