At first glance, Lux might appear closer to an arduous scholarly challenge than a new pop project from an artist whose previous single featured a global pop star. Divided across 4 different parts and performed in 13 tongues, this is a head-spinning orchestral-influenced work that delves into feminine mystique, spiritual ascent, and corporal transformation, often by way of the perspective of different women saints. The end of a relationship—a topic handled with raw honesty elsewhere—soars heavenward here, buoyed by the constant sound of a full orchestra and work from a Pulitzer-winning composer among a long roll call of collaborators. The pure daring by itself makes the work of contemporary pop stars seem rather small.
Rising Above Academic Exercise
That Lux manages to escape dry academic chin-stroking is nearly a miracle, and complete credit belonging to Rosalía. While this is not the first time project to fuse historical sounds and modern styles, its scale are much greater on Lux, and the balancing act far more dramatic. What really raises this fourth release, beyond its complex tunes, rich compositions, and engrained drama, is a core sense of playfulness. Similar to the legendary Björk during her height, you find a wondrous sense to Rosalía's voice which sweeps you into its tornado. When she's tearing your heart in two, you still want to be alongside her for the journey.
A Signature Example of Exuberance
That exuberant spirit shines clearly on the stunning Italian song inspired by a saint. It bathes in a string-drenched whirlpool over several moments. Then, everything drops away, and there's a spontaneous laugh followed by a comment before a comically exaggerated orchestral surge crashes in with cartoonish impact. The song immediately segues into the wild track driven by racing strings, a powerful choir, and a surprise role from none other than Björk.
"The magic of this album lies in you rarely exactly understand—nor want to know—what it is going to next."
Almost every track finishes in a totally distinct point than how it began. One moment examines the transient trappings of celebrity over a featherlight symphony before disintegrating into electronic cacophony. Elsewhere, a song echoing her earlier rhythmic style starts out moody and sinister, featuring prowling vocals, before sudden traditional handclaps and a heavenly choir arrive to smooth its rough edges.
The Bridge Of Art and Accessibility
A key achievement of the album is navigating the line of radical innovation and mainstream appeal. It is no coincidence that the album has achieved her first release to crack the upper reaches of key charts: its heart contains a collection of truly catchy hits. A song performed entirely in English swells on a chorus that feels to collect more and more infectious melodies as it spirals skyward. That feat is repeated on another powerful ballad that expands and contracts, intertwining multiple melodies as an intricate tapestry.
- A waltz-like song charms via its playful, theatrical flair and a chant-along hook.
- In its words, it aligns the cultural impact of contemporary heartbreak anthems, lambasting a former lover described as an "emotional bully".
- Across the album, the vocals have a painted-on smile, like a fairy-tale character hiding a blade: "Gold medal in being a motherfucker / You've the podium of letdown."
An Opulent Feast for the Soul
Lux is popular music on a grand level, a hungry reach for high artistry in an era of looming artificial blankness. It rejects solipsism for glorious transcendence, creating an over-the-top drama that skillfully manages its inherent ridiculousness. It is a deep source of buried treasure that takes time to fully explore but never feels like hard work. While other big pop albums of the year seemed like a meager scraps, Lux is a lavish banquet at which the characters around it, some intoxicated on holy drink, flit from conversations about historical figures, the profound sensation of heartbreaking sadness, and common gossip about useless partners. In essence, it's a modern-day theatrical production from music's truly restlessly creative practitioner.
