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{{Short description|2014 studio album by Arca}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name = Xen
| name = Xen
| type = studio
| type = studio
| artist = [[Arca (producer)|Arca]]
| artist = [[Arca (producer)|Arca]]
| cover = Arca_Xen_album_cover.jpg
| cover = Arca Xen album cover.jpg
| alt =
| alt = A nude, white figure against a black background masturbating.
| released = {{start date|2014|11|4|df=yes}}
| border = yes
| released = {{Start date|2014|11|4|df=yes}}
| recorded = 2014<ref>{{cite web|last = Friedlander|first = Emilie| url= http://www.thefader.com/2014/09/30/arca-producer-xen-interview-cover-story| title= Cover Story: Arca Finds Xen|work=[[The Fader]]|date= 30 September 2014|access-date=3 August 2022}}</ref><!-- Do not add unsourced recording dates/years -->
| recorded = 2014
| venue =
| venue =
| studio =
| studio =
| genre = {{flatlist|
| genre = * [[Electronic music|Electronic]]<ref name="PopMatters"/>
* [[Electronic music|Electronic]]<ref name="PopMatters"/>
* [[Experimental music|experimental]]<ref name="Pitchfork"/>
* [[Experimental music|experimental]]<ref name="Pitchfork"/>
⚫
| length = {{Duration|39:24}}
}}
⚫
| length = 39:24
| label = [[Mute Records|Mute]]
| label = [[Mute Records|Mute]]
| producer = Arca
| producer = Arca
Line 20: Line 21:
| next_title = [[Sheep (mixtape)|Sheep]]
| next_title = [[Sheep (mixtape)|Sheep]]
| next_year = 2015
| next_year = 2015
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| misc = {{Singles
| artist = [[Arca (musician)|Arca]] studio album
| type = studio
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| title = Xen
| year = 2014
| next_title = [[Mutant (album)|Mutant]]
| next_year = 2015
}}
{{Singles
| name = Xen
| name = Xen
| type = studio
| type = studio
Line 41: Line 32:
| single4 = Sad Bitch" / "Wound
| single4 = Sad Bitch" / "Wound
| single4date = 16 April 2015
| single4date = 16 April 2015
}}
}}
{{Extra album cover
⚫
| header = Digital deluxe edition cover<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/xen-edition/id96785011|title=Xen (Digital Edition)|work=[[iTunes]]|accessdate=6 March 2015}}</ref>
| type = studio
| cover = Arca_Xen_alt_cover.jpg
| border =
| alt =
| caption =
}}
}}
}}


'''''Xen''''' is the debut studio album by [[Venezuela]]n electronic musician [[Arca (musician)|Arca]], released on 4 November 2014 through [[Mute Records]].<ref name="iTunes"/> The album was recorded over a largely improvised six-month period in 2014.<ref name="Fader">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2014/09/30/arca-producer-xen-interview-cover-story|title=Cover Story: Arca Finds Xen|date=30 September 2014|work=[[The Fader]]|last=Friedlander|first=Emilie}}</ref>
'''''Xen''''' is the debut [[studio album]] by [[Venezuela]]n electronic musician [[Arca (musician)|Arca]], released on 4 November 2014 through [[Mute Records]].<ref name="iTunes"/> The album was recorded over a largely improvised six-month period in 2014.<ref name="Fader">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2014/09/30/arca-producer-xen-interview-cover-story|title=Cover Story: Arca Finds Xen|date=30 September 2014|work=[[The Fader]]|last=Friedlander|first=Emilie}}</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
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".<ref name="Dazed">{{cite web|url=http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/22973/1/arca-xen-master|title = Arca: Xen Master|accessdate=28 March 2015|work=[[Dazed]]|last=Gorton|first=Thomas}}</ref>
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".<ref name="Dazed">{{cite web|url=http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/22973/1/arca-xen-master|title = Arca: Xen Master|access-date=28 March 2015|work=[[Dazed]]|last=Gorton|first=Thomas}}</ref>


Upon reflection she 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."<ref name="Dazed"/> 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 her boyfriend [[Daniel Sannwald]].<ref name="Dazed"/>
Upon reflection she 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."<ref name="Dazed"/> 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 her then-boyfriend [[Daniel Sannwald]].<ref name="Dazed"/>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
{{Album ratings
{{Music ratings
| ADM = 7.8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://anydecentmusic.com/review/6815/Arca-Xen.aspx|title=Xen by Arca reviews|publisher=[[AnyDecentMusic?]]|accessdate=19 December 2019}}</ref>
| ADM = 7.8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://anydecentmusic.com/review/6815/Arca-Xen.aspx|title=Xen by Arca reviews|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=19 December 2019}}</ref>
| MC = 79/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/xen/arca|title=Reviews for Xen by Arca|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=7 December 2014}}</ref>
| MC = 79/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/xen/arca|title=Reviews for Xen by Arca|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref>
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|last=Phares|first=Heather|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/xen-mw0002735324|title=Xen – Arca|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=7 December 2014}}</ref>
| rev1Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|last=Phares|first=Heather|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/xen-mw0002735324|title=Xen – Arca|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Consequence of Sound]]''
| rev2 = ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]''
| rev2Score = A−<ref name="CoS">{{cite web|last=Staples|first=Derek|date=24 November 2014|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2014/11/album-review-arca-xen|title=Arca – Xen|work=[[Consequence of Sound]]|accessdate=7 December 2014}}</ref>
| rev2Score = A−<ref name="CoS">{{cite web|last=Staples|first=Derek|date=24 November 2014|url=https://consequence.net/2014/11/album-review-arca-xen|title=Arca – Xen|work=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]|access-date=1 June 2022}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Mixmag]]''
| rev3 = ''[[Mixmag]]''
| rev3Score = 5/5<ref name="Mixmag">{{cite web|last=Wheeler|first=S.|date=24 November 2014|url=http://www.mixmag.net/words/reviews/albums/arca|title=Arca|work=[[Mixmag]]|accessdate=7 December 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128080130/http://www.mixmag.net/words/reviews/albums/arca|archivedate=28 November 2014}}</ref>
| rev3Score = 5/5<ref name="Mixmag">{{cite web|last=Wheeler|first=S.|date=24 November 2014|url=http://www.mixmag.net/words/reviews/albums/arca|title=Arca|work=[[Mixmag]]|access-date=7 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128080130/http://www.mixmag.net/words/reviews/albums/arca|archive-date=28 November 2014}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]''
| rev4 = ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]''
| rev4Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="Mojo">{{cite journal|title=Arca: Xen|date=January 2015|work=[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]|issue=254|page=94}}</ref>
| rev4Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="Mojo">{{cite journal|title=Arca: Xen|date=January 2015|journal=[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]|issue=254|page=94}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[The Observer]]''
| rev5 = ''[[The Observer]]''
| rev5Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Observer">{{cite web|last=Empire|first=Kitty|authorlink=Kitty Empire|date=2 November 2014|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/02/arca-xen-review-alejandro-ghersi-debut-elegant-chromatic|title=Arca: Xen review – producer Alejandro Ghersi's elegant, chromatic debut|work=[[The Observer]]|accessdate=7 December 2014}}</ref>
| rev5Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Observer">{{cite web|last=Empire|first=Kitty|author-link=Kitty Empire|date=2 November 2014|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/02/arca-xen-review-alejandro-ghersi-debut-elegant-chromatic|title=Arca: Xen review – producer Alejandro Ghersi's elegant, chromatic debut|work=[[The Observer]]|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev6 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev6Score = 8.4/10<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|last=Sherburne|first=Philip|authorlink=Philip Sherburne|date=3 November 2014|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19836-arca-xen|title=Arca: Xen|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|accessdate=7 December 2014}}</ref>
| rev6Score = 8.4/10<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|last=Sherburne|first=Philip|author-link=Philip Sherburne|date=3 November 2014|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19836-arca-xen|title=Arca: Xen|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev7 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev7Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Q">{{cite journal|title=Arca: Xen|date=January 2015|work=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|issue=342|page=120}}</ref>
| rev7Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Q">{{cite journal|title=Arca: Xen|date=January 2015|journal=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|issue=342|page=120}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[Resident Advisor]]''
| rev8 = ''[[Resident Advisor]]''
| rev8Score = 3.5/5<ref name="RA">{{cite web|last=Ryce|first=Andrew|date=4 November 2014|url=http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=15941|title=Arca – Xen|work=[[Resident Advisor]]|accessdate=7 December 2014}}</ref>
| rev8Score = 3.5/5<ref name="RA">{{Cite web |last=Ryce |first=Andrew |date=4 November 2014 |title=Arca – Xen |url=https://www.residentadvisor.net/reviews/15941 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006053702/https://www.residentadvisor.net/reviews/15941 |archive-date=6 October 2016 |access-date=19 April 2022 |website=[[Resident Advisor]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
| rev9 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev9 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev9Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="RollingStone">{{cite web|last=Shepherd|first=Julianne Escobedo|date=5 November 2014|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/arca-xen-20141105|title=Xen|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=7 December 2014}}</ref>
| rev9Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="RollingStone">{{cite magazine|last=Shepherd|first=Julianne Escobedo|date=5 November 2014|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/arca-xen-20141105|title=Xen|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
| rev10 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
| rev10Score = 8/10<ref name="Uncut">{{cite journal|title=Arca: Xen|date=December 2014|work=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]|issue=211|page=71}}</ref>
| rev10Score = 8/10<ref name="Uncut">{{cite journal|title=Arca: Xen|date=December 2014|journal=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]|issue=211|page=71}}</ref>
}}
}}
At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an [[Weighted arithmetic mean|average]] score of 79, based on 22 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="MC"/> [[AllMusic]] said "the way Arca plays with and decorates time, letting sounds and moods mutate spontaneously, makes Xen a complete picture of his artistry and also promises much more."<ref name="AllMusic"/> ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' described the album as a "captivating, at times unexplainable reaching of pained highs and battered lows."<ref name="Clash">{{cite web|last=Oliver|first=Matt|date=7 November 2014|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/arca-xen|title=Arca – Xen|work=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]|accessdate=7 December 2014}}</ref> ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' stated that Arca's "time alongside [[Gesaffelstein]] added to his understanding of the space between beats, and the emotive power of these hesitations."<ref name="CoS"/> ''[[The Observer]]'' said ''Xen'' is "one of those albums that elegantly restates the appeal of digital music, expressing hues and states of being that fall outside the analogue spectrum."<ref name="Observer"/>


''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' stated: "Taken as a whole, it is an album about unstable unities, things that cannot easily hold together, wholes breaking to pieces and being put back together again in new and unfamiliar shapes."<ref name="Pitchfork"/> ''[[PopMatters]]'' said: "This is uncompromising stuff, with little holding back, and the end effect is one that wears not just its heart, but its soul, on its sleeve."<ref name="PopMatters">{{cite web|last=Houle|first=Zachary|date=17 November 2014|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/188094-arca-xen|title=Arca: Xen|work=[[PopMatters]]|accessdate=7 December 2014}}</ref> ''[[Resident Advisor]]'' said "''Xen'' remains as singular–and often as brilliant–as the rest of the Arca catalogue."<ref name="RA"/> ''[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]'' wrote: "Even if his chops as a producer aren't in question, the writing on ''Xen'' is too patchy to fully realise Ghersi's ambitions. Still, it's hardly lacking in ideas."<ref name="Fact">{{cite web|last=Kalev|first=Maya|date=10 November 2014|url=http://www.factmag.com/2014/11/10/arca-xen-review/|title=Xen|work=[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]|accessdate=7 December 2014}}</ref>
At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an [[Weighted arithmetic mean|average]] score of 79, based on 22 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="MC"/> [[AllMusic]] said "the way Arca plays with and decorates time, letting sounds and moods mutate spontaneously, makes ''Xen'' a complete picture of [her] artistry and also promises much more."<ref name="AllMusic"/> ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' described the album as a "captivating, at times unexplainable reaching of pained highs and battered lows."<ref name="Clash">{{cite web|last=Oliver|first=Matt|date=7 November 2014|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/arca-xen|title=Arca – Xen|work=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]'' stated that Arca's "time alongside [[Gesaffelstein]] added to [her] understanding of the space between beats, and the emotive power of these hesitations."<ref name="CoS"/> ''[[The Observer]]'' said ''Xen'' is "one of those albums that elegantly restates the appeal of digital music, expressing hues and states of being that fall outside the analogue spectrum."<ref name="Observer"/>

''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' stated: "Taken as a whole, it is an album about unstable unities, things that cannot easily hold together, wholes breaking to pieces and being put back together again in new and unfamiliar shapes."<ref name="Pitchfork"/> ''[[PopMatters]]'' said: "This is uncompromising stuff, with little holding back, and the end effect is one that wears not just its heart, but its soul, on its sleeve."<ref name="PopMatters">{{cite web|last=Houle|first=Zachary|date=17 November 2014|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/188094-arca-xen|title=Arca: Xen|work=[[PopMatters]]|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> ''[[Resident Advisor]]'' said "''Xen'' remains as singular–and often as brilliant–as the rest of the [[Arca discography|Arca catalogue]]."<ref name="RA"/> ''[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]'' wrote: "Even if [her] chops as a producer aren't in question, the writing on ''Xen'' is too patchy to fully realise Ghersi's ambitions. Still, it's hardly lacking in ideas."<ref name="Fact">{{cite web|last=Kalev|first=Maya|date=10 November 2014|url=http://www.factmag.com/2014/11/10/arca-xen-review/|title=Xen|work=[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| all_writing = [[Arca (musician)|Alejandra Ghersi]]
| all_writing = [[Arca (musician)|Alejandra Ghersi]]
| headline = Standard edition<ref name="iTunes">{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/xen/id915861599|title=Xen by Arca on Apple Music|date=4 November 2014|work=[[iTunes]]|accessdate=7 August 2017}}</ref>
| headline = Standard edition<ref name="iTunes">{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/xen/id915861599|title=Xen by Arca on Apple Music|date=4 November 2014|work=[[iTunes]]|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref>
| title1 = Now You Know
| title1 = Now You Know
| length1 = 3:58
| length1 = 3:58
Line 124: Line 108:
}}
}}
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| collapsed = yes
| headline = Japanese bonus track<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/Arca-Xen/release/6455294 Arca (4) - Xen (CD, Album) at Discogs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
| headline = Japanese bonus track<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/Arca-Xen/release/6455294 Arca (4) - Xen (CD, Album) at Discogs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
| title16 = Boyfriend
| title16 = Boyfriend
| length16 = 3:43
| length16 = 3:43
}}
}}
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| collapsed = yes
| headline = Vinyl 10" side C<ref name="discogs.com">[http://www.discogs.com/Arca-Xen/release/6270186 Arca (4) - Xen (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
| headline = Vinyl 10" side C<ref name="discogs.com">[http://www.discogs.com/Arca-Xen/release/6270186 Arca (4) - Xen (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
| title1 = Empath
| title1 = Empath
Line 142: Line 124:
}}
}}
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| collapsed = yes
| headline = Vinyl 10" side D<ref name="discogs.com"/>
| headline = Vinyl 10" side D<ref name="discogs.com"/>
| title1 = Dog Crying at Its Owner's Grave
| title1 = Dog Crying at Its Owner's Grave
Line 148: Line 129:
}}
}}
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
⚫
| headline = ????? Edition bonus tracks<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/xen-edition/id96785011 |title=Xen (????? Edition) |publisher=apple |access-date=6 March 2015 }}</ref>
| collapsed = yes
| headline = ????? Edition bonus tracks<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/xen-edition/id96785011 |title=Xen (????? Edition) |publisher=apple |accessdate=6 March 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| title16 = ????? A
| title16 = ????? A
| note16 ="Empath", "Get in the Fucking Car", "Snatch" and "Vanity"
| note16 = "Empath", "Get in the Fucking Car", "Snatch" and "Vanity"
| length16 = 9:08
| length16 = 9:08
| title17 = ????? B
| title17 = ????? B
| note17 ="Dog Crying at Its Owner's Grave"
| note17 = "Dog Crying at Its Owner's Grave"
| length17 = 2:21
| length17 = 2:21
| title18 = Xen
| title18 = Xen
Line 165: Line 145:


==Charts==
==Charts==
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (2014)
! scope="col" | Chart (2014)
!scope="col"|Peak<br>position
! scope="col" | Peak<br />position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/632430/products/1099181/1/|title=ゼン|language=Japanese|publisher=[[Oricon]]|accessdate=7 December 2014}}</ref>
! scope="row" | Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/632430/products/1099181/1/|title=ゼン|language=ja|publisher=[[Oricon]]|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=November 2022}}
|align=center|109
| 109
|-
|-
{{album chart|BillboardDanceElectronic|8|artist=Arca|rowheader=true|accessdate=11 November 2022}}
!scope="row"|US [[Dance/Electronic Albums]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref name = "Allmusicawards">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/xen-mw0002735324/awards|title=Xen – Arca Awards|publisher=Allmusic. Rovi Corporation|accessdate=7 December 2014}}</ref>
|align=center|8
|-
|-
{{album chart|BillboardHeatseekers|6|artist=Arca|rowheader=true|accessdate=11 November 2022}}
!scope="row"|US [[Independent Albums]] (''Billboard'')<ref name = "Allmusicawards"/>
|align=center|47
|-
|-
{{album chart|BillboardIndependent|47|artist=Arca|rowheader=true|accessdate=11 November 2022}}
!scope="row"|US [[Top Heatseekers|Top Heatseekers Albums]] (''Billboard'')<ref name = "Allmusicawards"/>
|align=center|6
|}
|}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{reflist}}


{{Arca}}
{{Arca}}


{{Authority control}}
⚫
[[Category:2014 albums]]

⚫
[[Category:2014 debut albums]]
[[Category:Mute Records albums]]
[[Category:Mute Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Arca (musician)]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Arca (musician)]]

Latest revision as of 18:17, 3 December 2024

Xen
A nude, white figure against a black background masturbating.
Studio album by
Arca
Released4 November 2014 (2014-11-04)
Recorded2014[1]
Genre
Length39:24
LabelMute
ProducerArca
Arca chronology
&&&&&
(2013) 		Xen
(2014) 		Sheep
(2015)
Singles from Xen
  1. "Thievery"
    Released: 30 September 2014
  2. "Now You Know"
    Released: 31 October 2014
  3. "Xen"
    Released: 17 November 2014
  4. "Sad Bitch" / "Wound"
    Released: 16 April 2015

Xen is the debut studio album by Venezuelan electronic musician Arca, released on 4 November 2014 through Mute Records.[4] The album was recorded over a largely improvised six-month period in 2014.[5]

Background

[edit]

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".[6]

Upon reflection she 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."[6] 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 her then-boyfriend Daniel Sannwald.[6]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.8/10[7]
Metacritic79/100[8]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
ConsequenceA−[10]
Mixmag5/5[11]
Mojo[12]
The Observer[13]
Pitchfork8.4/10[3]
Q[14]
Resident Advisor3.5/5[15]
Rolling Stone[16]
Uncut8/10[17]

At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 79, based on 22 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[8] AllMusic said "the way Arca plays with and decorates time, letting sounds and moods mutate spontaneously, makes Xen a complete picture of [her] artistry and also promises much more."[9] Clash described the album as a "captivating, at times unexplainable reaching of pained highs and battered lows."[18] Consequence stated that Arca's "time alongside Gesaffelstein added to [her] understanding of the space between beats, and the emotive power of these hesitations."[10] The Observer said Xen is "one of those albums that elegantly restates the appeal of digital music, expressing hues and states of being that fall outside the analogue spectrum."[13]

Pitchfork stated: "Taken as a whole, it is an album about unstable unities, things that cannot easily hold together, wholes breaking to pieces and being put back together again in new and unfamiliar shapes."[3] PopMatters said: "This is uncompromising stuff, with little holding back, and the end effect is one that wears not just its heart, but its soul, on its sleeve."[2] Resident Advisor said "Xen remains as singular–and often as brilliant–as the rest of the Arca catalogue."[15] Fact wrote: "Even if [her] chops as a producer aren't in question, the writing on Xen is too patchy to fully realise Ghersi's ambitions. Still, it's hardly lacking in ideas."[19]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Alejandra Ghersi

Standard edition[4]
No.TitleLength
1."Now You Know"3:58
2."Held Apart"1:20
3."Xen"3:18
4."Sad Bitch"1:55
5."Sisters"2:21
6."Slit Thru"2:12
7."Failed"3:40
8."Family Violence"2:13
9."Thievery"2:33
10."Lonely Thugg"2:56
11."Fish"2:07
12."Wound"2:09
13."Bullet Chained"2:51
14."Tongue"2:59
15."Promise"2:52
Japanese bonus track[20]
No.TitleLength
16."Boyfriend"3:43
Vinyl 10" side C[21]
No.TitleLength
1."Empath"1:37
2."Get in the Fucking Car"2:58
3."Snatch"1:51
4."Vanity"2:30
Vinyl 10" side D[21]
No.TitleLength
1."Dog Crying at Its Owner's Grave"3:05
????? Edition bonus tracks[22]
No.TitleLength
16."????? A" ("Empath", "Get in the Fucking Car", "Snatch" and "Vanity")9:08
17."????? B" ("Dog Crying at Its Owner's Grave")2:21
18."Xen" (music video)3:20
19."Thievery" (music video)2:33

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2014) Peak
position
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[23][failed verification] 109
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[24] 8
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[25] 6
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[26] 47

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Friedlander, Emilie (30 September 2014). "Cover Story: Arca Finds Xen". The Fader. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b Houle, Zachary (17 November 2014). "Arca: Xen". PopMatters. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Sherburne, Philip (3 November 2014). "Arca: Xen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Xen by Arca on Apple Music". iTunes. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  5. ^ Friedlander, Emilie (30 September 2014). "Cover Story: Arca Finds Xen". The Fader.
  6. ^ a b c Gorton, Thomas. "Arca: Xen Master". Dazed. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  7. ^ "Xen by Arca reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Reviews for Xen by Arca". Metacritic. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  9. ^ a b Phares, Heather. "Xen – Arca". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  10. ^ a b Staples, Derek (24 November 2014). "Arca – Xen". Consequence. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  11. ^ Wheeler, S. (24 November 2014). "Arca". Mixmag. Archived from the original on 28 November 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  12. ^ "Arca: Xen". Mojo (254): 94. January 2015.
  13. ^ a b Empire, Kitty (2 November 2014). "Arca: Xen review – producer Alejandro Ghersi's elegant, chromatic debut". The Observer. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  14. ^ "Arca: Xen". Q (342): 120. January 2015.
  15. ^ a b Ryce, Andrew (4 November 2014). "Arca – Xen". Resident Advisor. Archived from the original on 6 October 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  16. ^ Shepherd, Julianne Escobedo (5 November 2014). "Xen". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  17. ^ "Arca: Xen". Uncut (211): 71. December 2014.
  18. ^ Oliver, Matt (7 November 2014). "Arca – Xen". Clash. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  19. ^ Kalev, Maya (10 November 2014). "Xen". Fact. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  20. ^ Arca (4) - Xen (CD, Album) at Discogs
  21. ^ a b Arca (4) - Xen (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs
  22. ^ "Xen (????? Edition)". apple. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  23. ^ "ゼン" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  24. ^ "Arca Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  25. ^ "Arca Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  26. ^ "Arca Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
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