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Kick II
Kick II
Kick II
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Kick II
Studio album by
Arca
Released30 November 2021
Recorded2018–2021
Genre
Length33:56
Language
  • Spanish
  • English
LabelXL
ProducerArca
Arca chronology
Madre
(2021) 		Kick II
(2021) 		Kick III
(2021)
Singles from Kick II
  1. "Born Yesterday"
    Released: 4 October 2021
  2. "Prada" / "Rakata"
    Released: 3 November 2021

Kick II (stylized as KICK ii; pronounced “kick two”) is the fifth studio album by Venezuelan record producer and singer Arca. The album was scheduled to be released on 3 December 2021, but released early on 30 November 2021, through XL Recordings as a continuation to her[a] 2020 record Kick I, and is the second entry in Kick quintet.[1] Kick II was supported by three singles: "Born Yesterday", featuring vocals by Australian musician Sia,[2] as well as "Prada" and "Rakata", released as a double single. Its cover art was photographed by Frederik Heyman.[3] The album received positive reviews and was nominated for the Libera Award for Best Latin Album and the Latin Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.[4][5]

Background

[edit]

Upon the release of Kick I, news surfaced that Arca would be releasing two more Kick albums to make a trilogy. The artist took to Pitchfork to say: "There will be four volumes. The third one is a little bit more introverted than Kick I, a little bit more like my self-titled album, I guess. The fourth one is piano only, no vocals. Right now, the least defined one, strangely, is the third one. It's all gestating right now [...] Each Kick exists in a kind of quantum state until the day that I send it to mastering. I try to not commit until I have to. But I have a vision for it. The second one is heavy on backbeats, vocal manipulation, mania, and craziness."[6]

In the following year, Arca released her extended play Madre and took part in Dawn of Chromatica, a remix album by Lady Gaga, where she remixed the Ariana Grande collaboration "Rain on Me".[7] While talking about the song on social media, Arca stated: "It's also the last time I playfully deconstruct my songs 'Time' and 'Mequetrefe', as we say goodbye to the Kick I era and move into the Kick II era and beyond".[8] On September 27, the producer released a new song, "Incendio" to critical acclaim.[9][10] A week later, she revealed the release date, tracklist and cover art of her upcoming album Kick II alongside its lead single, "Born Yesterday" featuring Sia.[11]

With Kick IIII's announcement, Arca confirmed Kick II's sonic palette would be "a deconstruction and reinterpretation of reggaeton".[12]

Composition

[edit]

Kick II is primarily an electronic,[13] experimental,[14] avant-garde,[15] reggaeton,[16] pop[14] and cumbia[17] album. Album opener "Doña" features "eerie looping vocal mantras and squelching samples" and is "intentionally loose and disorienting, so when that familiar dembow rhythm locks in on the following track, the hypnotic pull is felt instantly".[18] "Prada" and "Luna Llena" features "dreamy atmospheres float[ing] behind the driving rhythms" and garnered comparisons to Arca's 2017 self-titled album.[19] The later track turns its "blurry, fuzzy synths, compressed reggaeton bump, and Ghersi's slow-pouring contralto resemble pining distilled into sound, and the titular image of a full moon feels similarly romantic".[20] "Araña" is a deconstructed club[14] track that "wiggles and crashes like a toy robot going haywire"[19] and "invites listeners to tune into something resembling the soundtrack to a video game gone wrong".[15] "Muñecas" is a "a haunting collage featuring contributions from Mica Levi".[19] "Born Yesterday" is a pop power ballad whose "eerie otherworldly musings are subdued by a hypnotic dancefloor beat on the cusp of dissolution".[15]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.7/10[21]
Metacritic76/100[22]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[19]
The A.V. ClubB−[20]
Evening StandardStarStarStarStar[23]
Exclaim!8/10[15]
The GuardianStarStarStarStar[24]
The Line of Best Fit8/10[14]
Loud and Quiet8/10[18]
NMEStarStarStarStar[25]
Pitchfork7.4/10[26]
The SkinnyStarStarStarStar[27]

On review aggregate site Metacritic, Kick II received a score of 76 out of 100, based on reviews from 14 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[22] Safiya Hopfe, writing for Exclaim! praised the albums hooks, saying "even at her most accessible, Arca refuses to paint from a predictable palette. But for all her experimentation and chaotic tangents, it is clear in Kick II that she is acutely aware of the balance necessary to build a bop."[15] Evening Standard's David Smyth considered Kick II the "most complete experience as a single album" out of the entire quintet.[23] Conversely, Lewis Wade of The Skinny called it "some of the least interesting music of the whole collection" and said that if the album was "more avant-garde, or more ephemeral, it may have worked better, but it doesn't hit with the intensity it should".[27]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Doña" (transl. "Mrs.")Alejandra GhersiArca1:46
2."Prada"
  • Ghersi
  • Cardopusher
  • Arca
  • Cardopusher
2:43
3."Rakata"
  • Ghersi
  • Cardopusher
  • Arca
  • Cardopusher
2:31
4."Tiro" (transl. "Shot")
  • Arca
  • Boys Noize
  • Cardopusher
2:18
5."Luna Llena" (transl. "Full Moon")Ghersi
3:19
6."Lethargy"GhersiArca2:07
7."Araña" (transl. "Spider")GhersiArca4:17
8."Femme"GhersiArca1:42
9."Muñecas" (transl. "Dolls")
  • Arca
  • Levi
3:33
10."Confianza" (transl. "Confidence")
  • Arca
  • Cardopusher
  • Clark
1:47
11."Born Yesterday" (featuring Sia)
  • Ghersi
  • Jmike
  • Sia
  • Arca
  • Jmike
3:18
12."Andro"GhersiArca4:35
Total length:33:56

Release history

[edit]
List of release dates, showing region, format(s), label(s) and reference(s)
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various December 3, 2021
XL [28]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Kick II
Chart (2022) Peak
position
UK Independent Album Breakers (Official Charts Company)[29] 16
US Current Album Sales (Billboard)[30] 83

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kick II

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
KICK ii is the fifth studio album by Venezuelan record producer, singer, and DJ Arca (born Alejandra Ghersi), released on November 30, 2021, through as a digital download and later in physical formats including vinyl and . The album serves as the second entry in a rapid-fire quintet of releases—following and preceding , , and kiCK iiiii—collectively forming an ambitious multimedia project that builds a "quantum superstate" of Arca's multifaceted identity as a nonbinary trans artist. Featuring 12 tracks clocking in at around 34 minutes, it deconstructs rhythms from Arca's upbringing, blending crisp, clipped percussion with dembow beats, plangent synth melodies, eerie intros, and tender electronic lullabies to create a balance of structure and chaos. The album's tracklist includes standout cuts like "," "," "Araña," and "Born Yesterday" (featuring Sia), which explore bold, sexual, and humorous centered on transformation—a recurring theme in Arca's oeuvre that underscores personal evolution and multiplicity. Collaborations with producers such as Cardopusher and infuse the record with Latin electronic influences, making it Arca's most accessible yet experimental work to date, while incorporating Spanish-language elements to honor her cultural roots. Critics praised its mind-bending and fierce energy, with awarding it a 7.4 out of 10 for driving home themes of identity through synthesized textures that evoke real-world dimensions. As part of Arca's broader , KICK ii marks a pivotal evolution from her earlier glitch-pop and explorations, emphasizing excess and world-building in a project that spans music, visuals, and performance. The received positive reception for its innovative fusion of genres, though some noted uneven moments in its ambitious scope, solidifying Arca's reputation as a boundary-pushing figure in contemporary electronic music.

Background and development

Series context

Kick II is the second installment in Arca's Kick quintet, a series of five albums comprising , Kick ii, , Kick iiii, and Kick iiiii, conceptualized as a unified artistic project. The series was progressively announced starting with in early 2020, with the remaining four albums revealed in a series of disclosures throughout , culminating in their collective release under the banner of a complete . Kick I, the preceding entry, was released on June 26, 2020, via , establishing the foundational themes of experimentation and identity that thread through the subsequent volumes. Originally, the full quintet beyond was scheduled for simultaneous release on December 3, 2021; however, Kick II was surprise-dropped early on November 30, 2021, heightening anticipation for the project's completion. Arca envisioned the Kick series as a "multidimensional self-portrait" that encompasses her multiple artistic identities existing simultaneously in a quantum superstate, allowing for an exploration of fragmented personas across the albums. This framework positions Kick II as a pivotal bridge in the sequence, advancing the overarching narrative of personal multiplicity without resolving it.

Influences and recording

Arca drew significant inspiration for KICK ii from the reggaeton rhythms she encountered during her childhood in Caracas, Venezuela, deconstructing these elements to infuse the album with a sense of personal and cultural reclamation. This approach allowed her to explore Latin electronic and dance musics through a post-human lens, blending familiarity with disruption to create tracks that honor yet subvert the genre's conventions. The album features notable collaborations that shaped its sound, including Australian singer Sia on the track "Born Yesterday," where her emotive vocals contrast Arca's production to evoke themes of rebirth and vulnerability. Additional contributions came from composer , who provided co-production on select pieces, alongside producers like and Cardopusher, enhancing the album's manic energy and rhythmic drive. These partnerships, spanning pop and experimental realms, helped Arca integrate diverse voices into her chaotic framework. Recording for KICK ii took place primarily at Arca's residence in , , between 2018 and 2021, allowing for an intimate, iterative process amid the ongoing . Arca employed experimental production methods, heavily utilizing vocal manipulation techniques such as pitch-shifting, granular processing, and electronic effects in software like to distort her own vocals into ethereal, robotic forms—creating a signature blend of fragility and digital frenzy. Tools including chorus, flanger, EQ, and saturator were key in achieving the album's sharp, tangible sound, distinct from the more vaporous textures of prior works. Building on 's more accessible pop structures, KICK ii emphasized a deliberate balance between rhythmic structure and sonic chaos, with Arca aiming to make her most approachable yet boundary-pushing project to date. This evolution refined the series' overarching theme of resistance—"if it feels oppressive, kick against it"—by channeling personal history into infectious, genre-bending tracks that prioritize emotional immediacy alongside experimental excess.

Musical content

Style and genres

Kick II is primarily an electronic album that incorporates experimental elements, rhythms, pop structures, and influences from music traditions, reflecting Arca's Venezuelan heritage. The record deconstructs club music through clipped percussion, loping dembow beats, and warped electronics, creating a sound that honors 's club origins while pushing into territory with skittering effects and inverted grooves. Central to the album's style are eerie looping vocal mantras and chaotic rhythm structures, often layered over synth-heavy arrangements that evoke '90s melodies and aquatic atmospheres. Tracks like "Doña" and "Rakata" exemplify this with pitch-shifted shrieks, distorted voices, and relentless kicks that balance familiarity and disorientation. Vocal processing techniques, including overbaked and frantic manipulations, add a layer of post-human sass and tension, as heard in collaborations like "Born Yesterday" featuring Sia. Across its 12 tracks totaling approximately 34 minutes, Kick II blends accessibility with experimental disorder, making it Arca's most approachable work by merging catchy hooks and pop catharsis with abstract mutations and oppressive influences. This fusion results in a sonic landscape that feels both structured and chaotic, prioritizing emotional immediacy over exhaustive innovation.

Themes and structure

KICK ii explores central themes of identity, , and quantum self-portraiture, presenting Arca's multifaceted personas as coexisting in a fluid, superimposed state. The album serves as a multidimensional self-portrait where Arca's various artistic identities occupy a "quantum ," allowing for simultaneous expressions of transformation and multiplicity. This draws from motifs of and transcendence, emphasizing personal evolution through alien-like internal recognitions, such as "the first death" and "the last birth." These elements reflect Arca's ongoing navigation of self, without directly reiterating the narrative arcs of prior installments in the series. The work delves into explorations of , , and cultural reclamation, particularly through select tracks that evoke intimate, states. In "Doña," eerie looping vocal mantras establish a disorienting foundation, symbolizing a reclaiming of cultural roots via deconstructed influences from Arca's upbringing. Similarly, "Araña" employs abstract glitch elements that evoke and emotional . These themes underscore a broader reclamation of and feminine narratives, reimagining nostalgic elements from Latin American music traditions to assert agency against oppressive structures. Structurally, KICK ii progresses from intense deconstructions in its opening tracks to more tender synth-driven moments, cultivating emotional quantum states that build inward toward vulnerability. Early sequences like "Prada" and "Rakata" deliver chaotic, rhythmic assaults that balance familiar dembow patterns with experimental disruption, transitioning into languid explorations in "Lethargy" and "Femme," where monotony and seduction evoke states of repose and intimacy. This narrative flow mirrors the album's thematic quantum layering, creating a sense of evolving emotional superposition. These motifs integrate into the broader Kick series' world-building, expanding a mythical of self-contained exercises that interrelate without overlapping previous albums' specific mythologies. This approach fosters a cohesive yet distinct entry, emphasizing liberation through sonic and conceptual mutation.

Release and promotion

Singles and videos

The lead single from Kick II, "Born Yesterday" featuring Sia, was released on October 4, 2021, via . The track features Sia's layered vocals over Arca's glitchy electronic production, blending pop accessibility with experimental textures. Its accompanying , directed by the Barcelona-based collective KinkiFactory (Guillermo Aliaga and Pedro Triviño), depicts Arca lip-syncing in a dimly lit, intimate setting that evokes vulnerability and rebirth, aligning with the song's title. On November 3, 2021, Arca released the double single ""/"," further building anticipation for the album. "" explores psychosexual versatility and nonbinary identity, defying shame through themes of kink, , and the simultaneity of surrender and dominance, as described by Arca. "," in contrast, channels seductive energy and a desire to "devour the world," drawing on influences from artists like y alongside Venezuelan folklore and equatorial eroticism. The shared , co-directed by Arca and visual artist Frederik Heyman, features surreal 3D animations of chaotic, fluid forms—flesh-like moons, metallic molds, and gestating symbols—that merge reggaeton's rhythmic pulse with deconstructed, quantum aesthetics, previewing the album's fusion of structure and abstraction; the video won Best Dance/Electronic Video - International at the 2022 UK Music Video Awards. These singles' artworks, photographed by Frederik Heyman, incorporate distorted, ethereal imagery consistent with the album's , teasing its exploration of identity fluidity and rhythmic without explicit chart projections. No official remixes of the singles were issued prior to the album's scheduled , 2021, release.

Marketing and release

Kick II was released by as the second installment in Arca's planned Kick series, a project emphasizing experimental electronic and visual artistry across multiple volumes. The marketing campaign positioned the album within this broader cycle, highlighting its role in a sequential rollout of interconnected works, with a strong focus on digital to engage fans through immediate streaming and downloads. Initial promotion leaned on digital platforms, including an exclusive early availability on Bandcamp, where the full album was offered for $9.99 USD as a high-quality digital in formats like and . Originally scheduled for December 3, 2021, Kick II received a surprise early release on November 30, 2021, allowing listeners to access it digitally ahead of the anticipated date and building anticipation for the subsequent volumes in the series. This unannounced drop aligned with the project's innovative ethos, prioritizing spontaneous engagement over traditional rollout timelines. The album was supported by promotional singles that teased its thematic elements, serving as key entry points for audiences. Physical formats followed the digital launch, with a standard edition and vinyl LP released in 2022 through . A limited-edition blue translucent variant emerged in 2023 for the and markets, marking the only notable post-release physical variant as of 2025, with no additional bundles or reissues documented. Digital distribution continued across major platforms like , ensuring broad availability beyond the initial offering.

Reception

Critical response

Kick II received generally favorable reviews from music critics, earning a Metacritic score of 76 out of 100 based on 14 reviews. Critics praised the album's accessibility and its innovative take on reggaeton, with Alexis Petridis of The Guardian describing it as Arca's "most obviously pop-focused and straightforward music to date," built around reggaeton rhythms that "scrape away the familiarity the sound has accrued" to create a "brilliant reimagining of 21st-century pop as a space in which the traditional and experimental can cohabit." Pitchfork's Philip Sherburne highlighted the album's "crisp, clipped percussion arrayed into loping dembow rhythms," noting clear extensions of prior work like "Mequetrefe" and "KLK," while NME's Thomas Smith observed how it "draws heavily on reggaetón, before warping its rhythms with menacing washes of synthesiser, and wonky vocal manipulation." Emotional depth was also commended, as Sherburne portrayed Arca in tracks like "Rakata" as a "metaphysical poet of horny-on-main," blending humor with explorations of flux, and Smith emphasized the album's rootedness in Arca's Venezuelan heritage through Spanish vocals and references to regional states in "Tiro." Some reviewers critiqued the album's intensity and chaotic elements, which occasionally overwhelmed its coherence. Sherburne noted that the "shift midway through from beats to turbocharged four-on-the-floor" in tracks like "Born Yesterday" represents a rare instance where "Arca’s maximalist instincts miss the mark," leading to fragmentation into "sketch-like mutations." Petridis pointed to rising "tension and chaos" in "Born Yesterday," where "rhythms chatter, a relentless kick drum fades in, [and] a plethora of warped noises start to crowd her out." Smith similarly found that certain moments, such as the Sia collaboration on "Born Yesterday," "head straight for the pop jugular, losing the inherent skewing-of-convention that makes Arca so intriguing." Reviewers often highlighted Kick II as Arca's most structured entry in the KICK series yet one that retains experimental edge, with Petridis calling it a vehicle where and elements coexist seamlessly. Sherburne's analysis of the series, including Pitchfork's coverage of its cyclical themes of transformation, positioned Kick II as a pivotal, aggressive pivot within the broader project.

Commercial performance

Kick II achieved modest commercial success, primarily within niche independent and sales-based charts. , the album peaked at number 16 on the Official Independent Album Breakers Chart in early 2022, marking its only entry on UK album rankings. , it reached number 83 on Billboard's Current Album Sales chart during the same period, indicating limited physical and digital download sales. The did not enter major mainstream charts in other regions, such as the or equivalent international top 100 lists, underscoring its appeal to a specialized audience in experimental electronic . Globally, Kick II has garnered steady digital streaming traction, with over 109 million total streams on as of November 2025. No certifications have been awarded for the by major industry bodies like the RIAA or BPI as of late 2025.

Track listing and credits

Track listing

Kick II consists of twelve tracks, with a total runtime of 33:56.
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1"Doña"Alejandra GhersiArca1:46
2""Ghersi, CardopusherArca, Cardopusher2:43
3""Ghersi, CardopusherArca, Cardopusher2:31
4"Tiro"Ghersi, Cardopusher, Arca, , Cardopusher2:18
5"Luna Llena"GhersiArca3:19
6"Lethargy"GhersiArca2:07
7"Araña"GhersiArca4:17
8""GhersiArca1:42
9"Muñecas"Ghersi, Arca, Levi3:33
10"Confianza"Ghersi, Cardopusher, Arca, Cardopusher, 1:47
11"Born Yesterday" (featuring Sia)Ghersi, JMIKE, SiaArca, JMIKE3:18
12"Andro"GhersiArca4:35
The track listing is consistent across standard digital and physical editions, with no noted regional variations.

Personnel

Arca (born Alejandra Ghersi in ) served as the lead artist, primary , , performer, and vocalist across all tracks on Kick II, handling and composition with her signature experimental electronic style influenced by her multidisciplinary background in music production and . Featured vocalist Sia (Sia Furler, Australian singer-songwriter known for pop anthems and collaborations with artists like David Guetta) contributed vocals to the track "Born Yesterday," adding a mainstream pop dimension to the album's reggaeton-infused sound. Additional producers included Cardopusher (Luis Garbán, Venezuelan-born, Barcelona-based electronic producer specializing in reggaeton and bass music remixes), who co-produced "Prada," "Rakata," "Tiro," and "Confianza" while also contributing writing credits and mixing on select tracks; Boys Noize (Alexander Ridha, German techno and electro producer associated with labels like Boysnoize Records), who co-produced "Tiro"; Mica Levi (British composer acclaimed for film scores including Under the Skin and Jackie, earning Oscar nominations), who co-produced and co-wrote "Muñecas" with contributions on strings and synths; Clark (Chris Clark, British electronic musician signed to Warp Records, known for IDM and ambient works), who co-produced and co-wrote "Confianza"; and JMIKE (Jeremy Michael Coleman, American hip-hop and R&B producer), who co-produced and co-wrote "Born Yesterday." Mixing duties were handled by Arca and Cardopusher on "Tiro," with Alex Epton (American producer and engineer, aka , frequent collaborator with Arca on prior projects like ) mixing "Muñecas" and "Confianza." The album was mastered by Enyang Urbiks (German mastering engineer based in , specializing in electronic and experimental music). Artwork and cover photography were created by Frederik Heyman (Belgian photographer and visual artist known for collaborations with musicians like and ), capturing the album's abstract, futuristic aesthetic.

References

  1. https://arca1000000.bandcamp.com/album/kick-ii
  2. https://www.discogs.com/master/2404612-Arca-Kick-II
  3. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/arca-kick-ii-kick-iii-kick-iiii-kick-iiiii/
  4. https://.com/reviews/albums/arca-kick-ii-kick-iii-kick-iiii-kick-iiiii/
  5. https://consequence.net/2021/12/arca-new-albums-kick-stream/
  6. https://www.nme.com/reviews/arca-ii-iii-iiii-album-review-3108756
  7. https://www.stereogum.com/2168850/arca-new-album-kick-ii-stream/music/
  8. https://www.treblezine.com/arca-new-album-kick-ii-announced/
  9. https://shop.xlrecordings.com/release/347197-arca-kick-the-complete-cycle
  10. https://www.amazon.com/KICK-ii-Arca/dp/B09VFFDZ14
  11. https://www.nme.com/news/music/arca-announces-new-album-kick-ii-with-sia-collaboration-born-yesterday-3062689
  12. https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/arcas-kick-ii-album-gets-early-release
  13. https://arca1000000.fandom.com/wiki/Kick_II
  14. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/03/arts/music/arca-kick.html
  15. https://www.reddit.com/r/ArcaMusic/comments/t2evz3/how_does_arca_manipulate_her_vocals_esp_like_on/
  16. https://www.vulture.com/2021/10/arca-born-yesterday-sia-kick-ii.html
  17. https://exclaim.ca/music/article/arca_kick_cycle_ii_iii_iiii_iiiii_album_review
  18. https://chscommunicator.com/83132/a-and-e/2022/04/arca-kick-ii-review/
  19. https://www.treblezine.com/arca-kick-ii-iii-iiii-iiiii-review/
  20. https://www.loudandquiet.com/reviews/arca-kick/
  21. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/dec/03/arca-kick-ii-iii-iiii-iiiii-review
  22. https://pitchfork.com/news/arca-announces-new-album-kick-ii-shares-video-for-new-song-with-sia-watch/
  23. https://pitchfork.com/news/arca-shares-video-with-two-new-songs-watch/
  24. https://www.facebook.com/xlrecordings/videos/-arca-pradarakata-wins-best-dance-electronic-video-international-at-the-uk-music/1751362888569823/
  25. https://www.nme.com/news/music/arca-releases-kick-ii-project-early-3108211
  26. https://open.spotify.com/album/1Vg5v9M0afj5sIl1ndRXzy
  27. https://www.metacritic.com/music/kick-ii/arca
  28. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/45511/arca/
  29. https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/4SQdUpG4f7UbkJG3cJ2Iyj_albums.html
  30. https://djmag.com/news/arca-announces-new-album-kick-ii
  31. https://genius.com/albums/Arca/Kick-ii
  32. https://www.discogs.com/release/23264999-Arca-Kick-II
  33. https://musicbrainz.org/release/6204d52a-4eb1-4385-a127-99012785a344
  34. https://genius.com/Arca-and-sia-born-yesterday-lyrics
  35. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kick-ii-arca/37899801
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