Producer Spotlight: Arca

Arca is a prolific producer known for pushing boundaries in the music scene.  The Venezuelan artist identifies as nonbinary and uses she/they pronouns.  They have released a few EPs, two mixtapes, and four studio albums.  

&&&&& was the first music project to showcase Arca’s creativity. The project was crafted during a lonely time, in the wake of Arca coming out to her family.  The mixtape features 14 tracks and a much darker sound than later projects. The album is a must-listen with ear-catching melodies, electronic space-like vibes, and nostalgic sampling. 

In 2014, Arca released their first studio album, Xen.  Some tracks feature unorthodox arrangements, complex melodies, and attention-grabbing effects, while others are more subtle, drum-based beats.  The 2nd studio album, Mutant, is more up-tempo with techno and industrial elements but is still refreshing with every track.  The titular song “Mutant” is an upbeat techno track while ‘Sinner’ starts with industrial sounds but evolves dramatically throughout the song. Arca’s vocals are more present in subsequent albums Arca and KiCk i.

Arca’s music has caught the attention of huge artists across genres, most notably Kanye West and Björk.  She was involved in the creation of Kanye West’s Yeezus and produced Björk’s Vulnicura, and has worked with FKA Twigs, Frank Ocean, and Kelela.

Aside from music production, Arca has been modeling for brands like Calvin Klein and performing live as a DJ.  Regardless of what they are doing creatively, it’s easy to see that they put their all into their craft. She is unapologetically herself and has become an icon in the music world.  We’re excited to see what’s next for Arca!