Arca embraces fluidity and changing between states, whether it be gender, genre, or personality. In a 2020 interview, they say "We all have multiple personalities. Rather than causing panic, I think maybe that could cause some relief". "There was a clear intention on her fourth album, Kick i to allow every self to express itself. Not to decide how much air time each self would get, but to allow for modulation between them in a spontaneous way. There is no such thing as normal". In Mutability and ambivalence guide the sound of her music — the atmospheres they create often contain abrasive percussive blasts, metal-shop whine, the screech of subway brakes, the whine of jet engines overheating. Anthropomorphic and animalistic sounds abound —mewling cats, mooing cows, anguished screams, the grunts and groans of orgasm, commingling pleasure and terror and beauty and ugliness in the most thrilling ways possible.
She has also been credited for her writing/producing efforts on Björk's Vulnicura and the entirety of Utopia. Alongside FKA twigs' EP2 as well as for their collaborations with Dean Blunt, Frank Ocean, Kelela, Kanye West, ROSALÍA and Lady Gaga, among others.
Focus
Arca Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on, focus
Focus
Pause
Focus, tell me what you want
You gotta stay present, take care
It scared me now more than ever that you want it
Forget moderation, fuck hesitation, oh
For the, for the part, so, smoke up, I choke on
Shit was non-stop, blood let too
It′s the fade, non-stop
What took you so long?
I thought you'd never wake up
I must be the make-up
Hope I never wake up
Never take the mask off
There′s no pause
It was so heavy
You gotta stop
It's movin' slow
Sendin′ signals, the best of ways
Now you got a fade, hope it never fades
But this isn′t how my mother raised me, I'm a changed man
New taste for bloodlettin′
Watchin' movies in the dark
Cold sweat, can′t stop my heartbeat, blood let, this might
Fuck what you mean, I deliver the beat
Time is your focus
You load up, you bag it all up
Time is of the essence, the presence is defenseless
Don't play, time to play, top to my surprise
Oh, wow, the sunrise, now look back to my eyes
My eyes, focus on ′em
Shit was non-stop, blood let too
It's the fade, non-stop
What took you so long?
I thought you'd never wake up
I must be the make-up
Hope I never wake up
I′mma take the mask off
No pause
(It was so heavy ′cause we have liftoff)
Movin' slow
Movin′ slow
This time it's so
Movin′ slow
Fuck what you mean, I deliver the beat
Time is your focus
You load up, you bag it all up
Time is not the essence, the presence is defenseless
Don't be late, time to play, top to my surprise
Oh, wow, the sunrise, now look back to my eyes
Shit was non-stop, blood let too
It′s the fade, non-stop
What took you so long?
I thought you'd never wake up
I must be the make-up
Hope I never wake up
Take the mask off
Well somehow
Bruised arms and legs
We have liftoff from the flo'
(We′re really slow)
The lyrics of Arca's song Focus convey the idea of staying present and focused on the moment, rather than getting lost in past regrets or future worries. The word "Focus" is repeated several times, serving as a reminder to maintain attention and avoid distractions. The lines "You gotta stay present, take care" and "Time is of the essence, the presence is defenseless" further emphasize the importance of being in the moment.
The song also touches on the themes of addiction and self-destruction, with references to bloodletting and taking off a mask. The line "New taste for bloodletting" suggests a growing fascination with harmful behavior, while "Hope I never wake up, take the mask off" indicates a desire to escape from reality and confront one's true self. The chorus, which repeats "Shit was non-stop, blood let too," reinforces the idea of being stuck in a pattern of self-abuse.
Overall, Focus is a introspective and haunting song that encourages listeners to focus on the present and take control of their lives. The lyrics invite reflection on the consequences of one's actions and the importance of staying attentive to the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Focus
The singer urges someone to concentrate and remain in the present moment.
Come on, focus
The singer encourages someone who may be lacking concentration.
Focus
The singer repeats their earlier encouragement to focus.
Pause
The artist suggests taking a moment to stop and reflect.
Focus, tell me what you want
The artist asks someone to clarify their desires and priorities.
You gotta stay present, take care
The singer advises someone to remain mindful and look after themselves.
It scared me now more than ever that you want it
The singer expresses fear about someone else's strong desire, which has grown.
I may deliver overnight
The artist suggests that they can meet expectations quickly.
Forget moderation, fuck hesitation, oh
The artist encourages spontaneous and decisive action, rejecting caution.
For the, for the part, so, smoke up, I choke on
The artist's thoughts are unclear, but they seem to be experiencing difficulty and discomfort.
Shit was non-stop, blood let too
The singer describes a chaotic experience, possibly one involving physical harm.
It's the fade, non-stop
The artist is caught in a cycle of negative experience and can't break free.
What took you so long?
The singer questions someone who has only taken action after a delay.
I thought you'd never wake up
The singer expresses surprise and relief that the other person has finally acted.
I must be the make-up
The singer acknowledges their role in the situation, possibly as a way of accepting responsibility.
Hope I never wake up
The artist would rather escape from reality than face certain truths.
Never take the mask off
The artist wants to hide their true self and keep up appearances.
There's no pause
The singer feels trapped in a situation without any break or relief.
It was so heavy
The singer describes a difficult, burdensome experience.
You gotta stop
The artist advises someone to put an end to a negative situation.
It's movin' slow
The artist observes that progress is happening at a sluggish pace.
Sendin' signals, the best of ways
The artist suggests that communication is happening effectively, even if not all is well.
Now you got a fade, hope it never fades
The singer hopes that something positive will continue to endure.
But this isn't how my mother raised me, I'm a changed man
The artist has deviated from their upbringing, but suggests they have evolved as a person.
New taste for bloodlettin'
The singer has embraced something violent or dangerous.
Watchin' movies in the dark
The singer is engaging in some solitary, possibly escapist activity.
Cold sweat, can't stop my heartbeat, blood let, this might
The singer is experiencing physical symptoms of anxiety or arousal.
Fuck what you mean, I deliver the beat
The artist asserts their own abilities and independence.
Time is your focus
The artist emphasizes the importance of prioritizing time.
You load up, you bag it all up
The singer suggests a sense of urgency, as if preparing for something important.
Time is of the essence, the presence is defenseless
The singer again highlights the importance of time and implies that it can make a person vulnerable.
Don't play, time to play, top to my surprise
The artist urges someone not to be complacent and is startled by something unexpected.
Oh, wow, the sunrise, now look back to my eyes
The artist admires the natural beauty around them and wants someone else to appreciate it too.
Well somehow
The artist is uncertain or unclear about what comes next.
Bruised arms and legs
The singer has visible signs of injury, perhaps from a difficult experience.
We have liftoff from the flo'
The artist has overcome a challenging situation and moved forward.
(We're really slow)
The singer acknowledges that progress has been sluggish but is optimistic.
Writer(s): Alejandro Ghersi
Contributed by Maria N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.