On the surface, this album might appear more like a difficult scholarly examination than a new popular music project by a musician whose previous single featured a global K-pop icon. Divided into 4 distinct parts and sung in thirteen tongues, this is a head-spinning symphonic work that delves into female mystery, spiritual transcendence, and bodily change, often through the perspective of various women saints. The end of a romance—a topic handled with raw openness elsewhere—soars upwards on this record, supported by the constant presence of a full orchestra and input from a Pulitzer-winning composer among a long roll call of contributors. The pure audacity by itself renders the work of other artists seem quite laughable.
Rising Above Academic Pretense
The fact that Lux succeeds in transcend overly intellectual chin-stroking is nearly miraculous, with full praise belonging to Rosalía. Although this is not her first album to blend historical sounds and the present, the ambitions are much higher on Lux, and the balancing act more precarious. The element that truly raises this fourth release, outside of its complex tunes, rich compositions, and engrained drama, is a core spirit of fun. Similar to the legendary Björk during her peak, there is a captivating quality to Rosalía's voice which sweeps you up in its tornado. When she's tearing your heart apart, you nevertheless desire to stay right there for the ride.
A Prime Moment of Joy
This exuberant spirit shines clearly on a stirring Italian song inspired by Saint Clare. It bathes in a sorrowful whirlpool for more than four moments. Suddenly, all the music falls silent, and we hear a gleeful laugh followed by a comment prior to a hilariously exaggerated string crescendo crashes down with comedic force. The track then shifts into the wild single featuring racing strings, a powerful choir, and a cameo appearance from the artist herself.
"The magic of Lux is that you rarely quite know—or even want to predict—what it will go to next."
Almost each song finishes at a totally distinct point than where it started. A track explores the transient trappings of celebrity with a featherlight symphony only to collapsing into electronic cacophony. Another, a cut that recalls the artist's earlier trap-infused style begins out moody and brooding, featuring menacing beats, until fluttering flamenco handclaps and an angelic choir arrive to soften the song's rough edges.
The Balance Of Art & Pop
Another crucial balancing act of Lux involves straddling the gap of radical innovation and mainstream appeal. It is little coincidence that the album has become her highest-charting release to crack the Top 5 of major markets: its heart contains a suite of utterly undeniable hits. One track performed entirely in the English language swells on a chorus that feels to collect more and more infectious melodies while it spirals upward. This trick is echoed on a different powerful ballad that grows and constricts, intertwining multiple tunes like a complex tapestry.
- A dance-infused song seduces with its playful, theatrical flair and an anthemic chorus.
- In its words, it shares with cultural impact of contemporary breakup anthems, eviscerating a former lover described as an "psychological bully".
- Across the album, the singing carry a painted-on edge, akin to a fairy-tale figure hiding a blade: "Gold medal in acting like a motherfucker / You've won the trophy of letdown."
An Opulent Feast for the Soul
This album is popular music on a maximalist level, an ambitious grasp for capital-A Art in an era of looming AI-generated sameness. It rejects solipsism for glorious transcendence, creating an over-the-top spectacle that skillfully controls its own built-in excess. It is an abundant source of hidden gems that takes time to completely mine but doesn't seem like a chore. While other big releases of the year felt like a meager scraps, Lux is a sumptuous feast where the guests at the table, perhaps tipsy on holy drink, flit between conversations about ancient figures, the galvanizing sensation of soul-shattering grief, and common stories about useless partners. In essence, it's a modern-day musical from music's most restlessly creative practitioner.
