

The standout tracks on the first listen are “Prom Hell” and “Fox,” some of the best uses of the band’s pent-up angst.

Despite the one-dimensionality of the second half, the album’s closer – or rather, “Ender” – is quite remarkable for its loud/quiet dynamics and incredible breakdown. All in all, a strong debut from Dogleg, with some moments that’ll grip you with intensity and others that sort of just get washed out since there tends to only really be one dynamic on this whole project. Just like the game it takes its name from, this album is full of aggression and fast-paced playing with a fervor unlike any other. You better bet that album title is a reference to the second iteration of the Super Smash Bros. Ask me how I got here? Bitch, I worked hard.”

Ask Arca how she does it? To put it in her own words, “You’ll never know me. KiCk i reconciles beauty, both natural and synthetic, into a dynamic, genre-bending experience. Closer “No Queda Nada” is a tender ballad underscored by erratic percussion, the antithesis to the velvety vocals that Arca provides. Even the most mellow points are guided by beats that sound like they’re from a cyborg on its dying breaths. On “La Chiqui” Arca’s mechanical beats converges with the glossy beauty of SOPHIE, resulting in a textured melange of glitchiness and convoluted melody. Songs like the gorgeous, unraveling “Calor” and “Afterwards,” which sounds like it could have fit perfectly onto Björk’s Vespertine, are sandwiched between frantically shifting club songs “Riquiqui” and “Watch.” This juxtaposition of harshness and melody is where Arca finds herself most comfortable, yet also when her prowess shines through. The music on KiCk i, while always distinctively Arca, traverses this diverse range of musical influences and finds a middle ground between propulsive club beats and operatically layered songwriting. Since her debut as an artist, she’s been nothing but prolific, with feature after feature, and collaborations with the likes of everyone from Kanye to Björk. If these write-ups pique your interest, do support these artists if you are able!Īrca has it all. In this column, we open that up to you all by going over recent additions to the library, both old and new, for your reading/listening pleasure.

Our dedicated staff of DJs and volunteers have a long tradition of sharing music that we love with each other. Every month, dozens of albums get added to KSPC’s ever-growing library.
