iiii and iiiii are largely beat-free with the tragic, majestic beauty of a cracking glacier.
After the unstoppable confidence of iii, this record is a heavy comedown, weighty and empty in the same way as depression.
kick iiii swaps cacophony for the serene comfort of atmospheric subtlety.
kick iiii was intended to be all instrumental piano, and while it certainly isn't that, it is a relatively calm affair (in stark contrast to its violent cover).
KicK iiii soundtracks the edges of her universe. So far out from the frenesis of KicK iii and ii, the fourth installment’s driving force is a “bloodlust for beauty”.
‘iiii’ feels much softer, drenched in futuristic hues of pink and peppered with a handful of well-matched guest appearances.
If confidence is the unifying thread of the swaggering KICK ii and KicK iii, tenderness comes to the fore on kick iiii, as Arca takes stock of the changes she has undergone and celebrates the self she has birthed.
I’ve always described Arca as “High-fashion Music”. Not to be pretentious, but I honestly think her production and especially her earlier work can be compared to high-art fashion designers. You know those pieces of clothing that you see on the runway at fashion shows that are so wild and impractical that it would make no sense to actually wear it anywhere? That’s Arca’s music to me. Those clothes are designed not to be practical, but to show off the skill and ... read more
NO NUANCE REVIEW
Ehh, I’m not sure about this one. Obviously this is more ambient than the previous installments, and even though ambient works don’t typically have a standard song structure, I kind of wish this did because it feels like “kick iiii” is a bunch of decent ideas that drag on and don’t go anywhere. I really love the sound design on this, but I think I appreciate this album more than I enjoy it.
a step back from kick iii. lacks the powerful, booming nature of its predecessors. taking more of an ambient beatless approach, everything feels a bit diluted and tame.
Sadly the worst kick. It feels like there’s a lot lacking here. Lyrically, productionally, everything. Paw is just strange and weirds me out. I found Hija quite enjoyable though. Just because it’s Arca doesn’t mean I won’t give it a bad score.
1 | Whoresong 2:14 | 68 |
2 | Esuna 2:19 feat. Oliver Coates | 76 |
3 | Xenomorphgirl 2:55 | 84 |
4 | Queer 3:30 feat. Planningtorock | 78 |
5 | Witch 3:32 feat. No Bra | 66 |
6 | Hija 2:45 | 62 |
7 | Boquifloja 5:22 | 78 |
8 | Alien Inside 2:04 feat. Shirley Manson | 74 |
9 | Altar 3:37 | 65 |
10 | Lost Woman Found 4:12 | 79 |
11 | Paw 4:08 | 71 |
#23 | / | What's Good |