Arca’s Debut Mixtape: &&&&&&
&&&&& is the debut mixtape by Venezuelan electronic producer Arca, released on 23 July 2013 through Hippos in Tanks on SoundCloud. The mixtape features 14 tracks but is presented as a single, continuous piece. A limited vinyl edition with an alternative cover was made available in January 2014, limited to 500 copies. On 28 July 2020, Arca announced a re-release through PAN, making the mixtape accessible on mainstream streaming platforms for the first time on 18 September 2020.
Composition
&&&&& is described as an experimental electronic record that incorporates various influences, including dub, hip-hop, grime, ambient music, trap, and glitch. Stereogum noted that the mixtape is “even darker and denser” than Arca’s previous Stretch EPs.
Critical Reception
The mixtape received widespread critical acclaim. Tiny Mix Tapes highlighted that it “has the potential to conjure an emotional frenzy that’s alluring to the senses.” No Ripcord praised its “density, intensity, and a sense of being lost in a big city” as well as its “warm gust of beats” and “muscular compactness.” In a review of the reissue, Pitchfork remarked on the melancholy aspect of listening to &&&&&, suggesting that it reflects our struggles to escape the past through technology.
Notably, the mixtape was eventually shared with Icelandic artist Björk‘s management, leading to a collaboration on her album Vulnicura.
Track Listing
Available upon request.
Personnel
- Arca – production
- Jesse Kanda – artwork
Charts
Information available on request.
References
For further details, visit Discogs.