Xen (album)
| Xen | ||||
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| Studio album by Arca | ||||
| Released | November 3, 2014 | |||
| Genre | Electronic | |||
| Length | 39:24 | |||
| Label | Mute | |||
| Producer | Arca | |||
| Arca chronology | ||||
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| Alternative Album Cover | ||||
![The alternative album cover for the digital edition[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Arca_Xen_alt_cover.jpg)
The alternative album cover for the digital edition
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| Singles from Xen | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Aggregate scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 79/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   |
| Clash | 8/10 |
| Consequence of Sound | A- |
| Fact | |
| The Observer | |
| Pitchfork Media | 8.4/10 |
| Popmatters | 8/10 |
| Resident Advisor | 3.5/5 |
| Rolling Stone | |
| Tiny Mix Tapes |  |
Xen is the debut album by Venezuelan electronic music producer Arca, released on November 3, 2014 via Mute. Originally from Venezuela, Arca (aka Alejandro Ghersi) lives in London where he shares a living space with the graphic artist Jesse Kanda. The two work in tandem on various projects while Ghersi has also been a co-producer for Björk and Kanye West. The album was recorded over a, largely improvised, six-month period in 2014.
The title of the album is a reference to Ghersi's ‘feminine spirit’ as portrayed in the album artwork and videos. According to the artist, the designer Jesse Kanda asked "if I had a girl’s name when I was a kid, I told him that I have this image in my head when I listen to a song of mine that I really love or that I feel happy with. I move really slowly in a very effeminate way [and] close my eyes and I see this naked being who exists in front of an audience. Everyone is simultaneously attracted to it and repulsed".
Upon reflection he felt that "Those were all projections of my psyche; of how I viewed my own sexuality and how I engaged with people through the lens of sensuality. Xen is an ‘it’. I lean towards calling Xen ‘her’ in response to the fact that society historically leans towards men having more power. Me calling Xen ‘her’ is an equalisation of that." This is reflected in the video for the song "Thievery". Ghersi noted that the song-titles have little meaning except for "Failed" which was written about his boyfriend Daniel Sannwald.
All tracks written by Alejandro Ghersi.
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Wikipedia