KICK ii cover

KICK ii

Arca · 2021

41 min · 15 tracks · experimental music

A bold fusion of experimental sounds and reggaeton rhythms, creating an immersive and avant-garde sonic landscape.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Doña Start here — The opening track sets a surreal tone with its ethereal production and haunting vocal delivery, immediately immersing listeners into the album's unique atmosphere.
  • →
    Femme — This track showcases a playful yet introspective exploration of gender identity through its provocative lyrics and eclectic beats, encapsulating the album's overarching themes.
  • →
    Crown — As one of the longer tracks, it allows for deeper emotional expression through its layered sounds and poignant lyrical reflections on self-acceptance and vulnerability.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

66 /100
Alpine
Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

KICK ii blends experimental sounds with reggaeton, showcasing unique structures and strong distinctiveness.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a track that features layered vocal samples and a heavy bass line, setting an experimental tone.
  • Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, moving from reggaeton beats to ambient soundscapes within the same song.
  • The use of unconventional song structures is prevalent, with many tracks lacking traditional verse-chorus formats.
  • The final track features a gradual fade-out, leaving listeners in a lingering sonic space that contrasts with the album's earlier intensity.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
9/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic exploration of soundscapes
  • wave-like pacing with surprises
  • bold vocals that provoke thought
  • short bursts of energetic intensity

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer straightforward song structures
  • seek long, cohesive narratives

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Experimental — KICK ii pushes boundaries with a bold fusion of sounds, diverging from previous works.
Moods
Intense· Dreamy
Career context
KICK ii is Arca's follow-up to the critically acclaimed KICK i, released in 2020. At this point in their career, Arca had solidified their status as a boundary-pushing artist within the experimental music scene. This album continues to explore themes of identity and transformation, further establishing their unique voice after several years of innovative collaboration and solo projects.
Stylistic neighbors
FKA twigs· Sophie· Shygirl

Tracklist

  • 1 Doña Start here 1:46
  • 2 Prada 2:44
  • 3 Rakata 2:31
  • 4 Tiro 2:18
  • 5 Lethargy 2:07
  • 6 Araña 4:17
  • 7 My 2 3:15
  • 8 Electra Rex 2:08
  • 9 Ripples 2:09
  • 10 Femme 1:42
  • 11 Alien Inside 1:59
  • 12 Muñecas 3:33
  • 13 Crown 4:37
  • 14 Confianza 1:47
  • 15 Paw 4:09

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata