KiCk i

· by Alain Brunet

Since Björk, FKA Twigs and other pre-pop stars have called on her immense production talent, transgender artist Alejandra Ghersi has proved to be one of the great revelations of electronic music. One can swoon over Arca’s world, over her explosive proposals, rhythmic refinement by way of the latest technologies, magnificent superimpositions of synthetic textures, and very tender moments. Prone to violent disturbances, her sonic discourse does not exclude grace, voluptuousness, or unconcealed vulnerability. Thus, over the course of four albums including the one in question here, one could sense Alejandra’s intimate struggles, observe the progressive assumption of a multi-gendered identity – Arca defines herself as both female and gay, given her sexual preference for men. Of Venezuelan origin, raised partly in the USA, now living in Barcelona after a stay in the U.K., she now presents KiCk i, certainly the most pop of her recordings, well outside the expectations of an audience accustomed to her more radical music. She subtly recycles the frenetic sequences that are her secret reciper; her electroacoustic explosions become the ornaments of a more welcoming work. Thus, her previous discoveries contribute to magnifying authentic melodic hooks and more pop constructions, even reggaeton. The songs are sung in Spanish and English, with prestigious guests such as Björk, Rosalia, Sophie, and Shygirl, making notable appearances in turn. By completing this transition of identity, spectacular to say the least, as clearly illustrated by the cover of KiCk i and “Nonbinary”, the first song on the program, could Arca finally return to her “natural” territory, with one foot in creative pop and the other in deep digs into electronic music? It’s better not to answer this question, and let time reveal what comes next.

Latest 360 Content

Éli Doyon et la Tempête – Attraper le ciel avant qu’il tombe

Éli Doyon et la Tempête – Attraper le ciel avant qu’il tombe

Barbara Hannigan; Katia et Marielle Labèque – Electric Fields

Barbara Hannigan; Katia et Marielle Labèque – Electric Fields

Fire, Fungi, and Family Fun: The ShazamFest XX Experience

Fire, Fungi, and Family Fun: The ShazamFest XX Experience

Festival de Lanaudière | Kent Nagano: The eternal, and always welcome, return

Festival de Lanaudière | Kent Nagano: The eternal, and always welcome, return

Tyler, the Creator – DON’T TAP THE GLASS

Tyler, the Creator – DON’T TAP THE GLASS

Off Piknic with Gorgon City, Dennis Ferrer, Riordan, and Linska

Off Piknic with Gorgon City, Dennis Ferrer, Riordan, and Linska

Jeff Bridges – Slow Magic, 1977-1978

Jeff Bridges – Slow Magic, 1977-1978

Piknic Electronik | DJ Fuckoff Turns Up The Heat for Pep Rally

Piknic Electronik | DJ Fuckoff Turns Up The Heat for Pep Rally

Orford 2025 | Collectif9: folk that innovates and grooves

Orford 2025 | Collectif9: folk that innovates and grooves

Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | The next global star of Tuareg blues is born, and it is in Montreal

Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | The next global star of Tuareg blues is born, and it is in Montreal

Ruby Creek – Forget Me Not

Ruby Creek – Forget Me Not

Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out

Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out

Ross Lee Finney : Landscapes Remembered

Ross Lee Finney : Landscapes Remembered

Lanaudière Festival | The Sparkle of Strauss, Schumann, and Brahms in Joliette

Lanaudière Festival | The Sparkle of Strauss, Schumann, and Brahms in Joliette

Wet Leg – moisturizer

Wet Leg – moisturizer

Sister Ray – Believer

Sister Ray – Believer

Festival de Lanaudière | Franco Fagioli and the voice of bel canto

Festival de Lanaudière | Franco Fagioli and the voice of bel canto

Nuits d’Afrique | Manamba Kanté, An Undeniable Diva

Nuits d’Afrique | Manamba Kanté, An Undeniable Diva

Nuits d’Afrique | El Gato Negro, A Feline Like No Other

Nuits d’Afrique | El Gato Negro, A Feline Like No Other

Nights of Africa 2025 | A gnawa fusion reactor named Saïd Mesnaoui

Nights of Africa 2025 | A gnawa fusion reactor named Saïd Mesnaoui

Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | Sousou and Maher Cissoko: benevolence and complicity

Nuits d’Afrique 2025 | Sousou and Maher Cissoko: benevolence and complicity

Nuits d’Afrique | Las Karamba And Their Militant Salsa

Nuits d’Afrique | Las Karamba And Their Militant Salsa

Women shine at the Quebec City Opera Festival

Women shine at the Quebec City Opera Festival

Festival de Lanaudière | A Successful Choral Evening for Akamus

Festival de Lanaudière | A Successful Choral Evening for Akamus

Subscribe to our newsletter