Where Arca’s critically acclaimed debut release
Xen
(2014)
was introspective,
Mutant
is outwardly emboldened.
Dedicated to and coloured by the important people in
Arca
’s life,
Mutant
illustrates the continuing mutations
catalysed by loved ones: friends, family, acquaintances.
Arca
morphs for them and because of them. Both
releases are contortionist shape-shifters, but where
Xen
asked us to meet her in her world,
Mutant
comes out
to meet us in the light.
Mutant
is suggestively agape,
embracing multiple sensualities with refreshing softness.
Jesse Kanda
’s organic cover art, luminous where
Xen
’s
was shrouded, is a reflection of this.
In the artist’s words: ‘
Mutant
is about sensuality and
impulsiveness as escape routes out of rigidity. Softness
as a weapon when the mind attacks itself.’ Mutations in
the records’ textures parallel the malleability of identity;
tension is harmonised by openness and the inclusiveness
of transformation. Pride is taken in deformity, innocence,
distortion and vulnerability: traits often ostracised as
undesirable. Themes that have animated
Arca
’s work
– tension, polarities, playfulness, eroticism, mutability –
have been refracted into newer, more nuanced shades.
Fluctuation, in-betweenness, intimacy and chaos are
celebratedA1 Alive A2 Mutant A3 Vanity A4 Sinner A5 Anger B1 Sever B2 Beacon B3 Snakes B4 Else B5 Umbilical C1 Hymn C2 Front Load C3 Gratitud C4 En C5 Siren Interlude D1 Extent D2 Envelopeped D3 Faggot D4 Soichiro D5 Peonies