London-via-New York-via-Connecticut-via-Caracus artist Arca steps out on XL for his 3rd solo full-length. Hitherto known for his work as an experimental instrumental composer and producer for Bjork, Kanye West and FKA Twigs; Alejandro Ghersi chose to showcase his singing chops on this self-titled LP, in much the same way James Blake surprised us with his singing voice after his initial string of revered production work. Ghersi was inspired by his work with Bjork, who nurtured and encouraged him to sing on his own tracks, and Arca’s leftfield beats, operatic vocals and generally macabre mood should appeal to fans of his mentor’s opus Homogenic. The lyrics, sung in Ghersi’s native Spanish (the language he learned to process emotion with; the language his parents “fought and divorced in”), will almost sound like just another layer of seasick FM synth to non-Hispanophone listeners. His astonishingly unaffected vocal recalls the voices of Anohni, Martin Gore and of course, Bjork. Coupled with Arca’s intermittently spastic beats and typically confrontational imagery, Arca sounds like a romantically bleak post-apocalyptic opera.

• includes 8 page booklet
• gatefold sleeve
• digital download included
• music label: XL Recordings 2017

reviewed by dj winyl destination 05/2017