Wrestling is the debut album by English-Australian singer and producer Kučka. It was released on 30 April 2021 via LuckyMe and Soothsayer.[2] It was preceded by the release of singles "Drowning" and "Real" in 2019,[3][4] "Contemplation", and "Ascension" in 2020,[5][6] and "No Good for Me" and "Eternity" in 2021.[2][7] The album cover and the singles' music videos were shot and directed by Kučka's wife and creative director, Dillon Howl.
| Wrestling | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 30 April 2021 | |||
| Recorded | 2017–2020 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 38:24 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Producer | ||||
| Kučka chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Wrestling | ||||
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The album features co-production from Australian musician and longtime collaborator Flume, British producer Vegyn, American producer Nosaj Thing, and UK duo Exmoor Emperor.
At the AIR Awards of 2022, the album was nominated for Best Independent Dance or Electronica Album or EP.[8]
Background
editKučka signed to British label LuckyMe in 2017,[9] after issuing previous releases via independent Australian labels.
Initially, the plan was to release Wrestling by the end of 2020,[9][10] but it was pushed back to 2021 for unstated reasons.
Kučka states that she had to say no to multiple collaborations, including one with South Korean boy band BTS,[11] in order to finish work on the record.[12]
In an interview with Queued in March 2020, Kučka shared details on the track "Eternity", which the interviewer described as "her most meaningful song to date". She wrote the song three weeks before meeting her wife, Dillon Howl:[10]
I was writing about this kind of dream or something, and then everything that I wrote kind of came true when we met and were first dating. It was like a weird premonition, and I only realized it when I went back to the song and was like, 'Holy shit! This happened, and this happened, and this happened'
On 2 April, Kučka shared a free download link to "Joyride" on her website, accessible by pre-saving the album.
Reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Exclaim! | 8/10[1] |
| The Skinny |   [13] |
| Loud and Quiet | 7/10[14] |
Mathias Pageau of Exclaim! said Wrestling "might soon cement her pop star status" and praised Kučka for "again and again prov[ing] her talent for complex hooks and catchy melodies".[1] Leigh Hill of OUTinPerth praised the album for her voice and futuristic sound. They also called her album "the result of a tough but fruitful transition in her life, spanning love, conflict, sexuality and maturity".[15]
Track listing
editAll tracks written and produced by Kučka, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Wrestling" | 1:46 | ||
| 2. | "Contemplation" |
| 3:27 | |
| 3. | "Drowning" | 3:45 | ||
| 4. | "Ascension" | 3:21 | ||
| 5. | "Afterparty" | 2:30 | ||
| 6. | "Joyride" | 3:19 | ||
| 7. | "Your World" | 3:23 | ||
| 8. | "Sky Brown" |
|
| 3:27 |
| 9. | "No Good for Me" | 3:35 | ||
| 10. | "Real" |
|
| 3:25 |
| 11. | "Eternity" | 3:24 | ||
| 12. | "Patience" | 2:53 | ||
| Total length: | 38:24 | |||
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label | Catalogue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 30 April 2021 |
|
Not applicable | [16][17] | |
| CD | LuckyMe | [18] | |||
| LP | Soothsayer | [19] | |||
| Australia | LM069LP | [20] |
References
edit- ^ a b c "KUČKA's 'Wrestling' is the revelation of a pop auteur". Exclaim!. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ a b "KUČKA shares 'No Good For Me', announces debut album". NME. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ "KUČKA drops new single "Drowning," co-produced by Flume". The Fader. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ "KUČKA shares shimmering new single, 'Real'". Fact. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ "KUČKA Returns With New Single 'Contemplation'". Music Feeds. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ Kupfer, Rachel. "KUČKA Stuns on Latest Genre-Bending Track, "Ascension"". EDM.com. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ Dummy. "KUČKA brings her "super intense visuals" to life on the self-directed 'Eternity'". DummyMag. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ "Nominees Announced For AIR Independent Music Awards 2022". musicfeeds. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Manager Eva Trifonas talks KUČKA, LA's music industry, and advice for those moving to the US". The Industry Observer. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ a b Socorro, Jesus (March 2020). "Kučka". Queued. Retrieved 26 April 2023 – via Issuu.
- ^ "Kučka on her debut album Wrestling, the electronic music 'dudefest' and turning down BTS". the Guardian. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "KUČKA takes the spotlight with her deeply personal debut album 'Wrestling'". NME. 26 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "KUČKA album review: Wrestling – The Skinny". www.theskinny.co.uk. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ "KUĆKA – Wrestling – Album Review". Loud And Quiet. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ Hill, Leigh (30 April 2021). "KUČKA shares debut album 'Wrestling' alongside single 'Your World'". OUTinPerth. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ "Wrestling by Kučka on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Wrestling – Album by Kučka on Spotify". Spotify. 30 April 2021. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Kučka – Wrestling". LuckyMe. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ "Wrestling (Clear Vinyl) – Kučka". Soothsayer. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ "Wrestling (Transparent Vinyl)". JB Hi-Fi. 30 April 2021. Archived from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.