Initially, Lux might appear more like a challenging scholarly quiz than the latest popular music project from an artist whose previous hit was a collaboration with a global K-pop star. Divided across 4 distinct parts and performed in thirteen tongues, it is a head-spinning classical-tinged opus investigating feminine mystery, religious transcendence, and bodily transformation, frequently through the prism of various saintly figures. The end of a romance—a topic treated with raw openness elsewhere—is launched heavenward here, supported by the constant presence of a full orchestra and contributions from an award-winning songwriter among a vast list of collaborators. Its sheer daring by itself renders the work of contemporary pop stars appear rather small.
Rising Above Academic Exercise
That this album manages to escape overly intellectual chin-stroking feels almost a miracle, with sole credit belonging to Rosalía. Although it's not the first time album to fuse the past with modern styles, its ambitions feel much higher here, and the balancing act more pronounced. What really elevates this fourth release, outside of its complex tunes, rich arrangements, and inherent drama, is an essential spirit of joy. Much like the iconic artist during her height, there is a wondrous sense to Rosalía's voice that pulls you up in its tornado. Even when she's breaking your heart apart, you still want to stay alongside her through the journey.
A Signature Example of Joy
This playful energy comes forth clearly during the stirring Italian song inspired by Saint Clare. It luxuriates in a sorrowful whirlpool over several minutes. Suddenly, everything drops away, to reveal we hear a gleeful laugh and a declaration prior to a comically exaggerated string crescendo thuds in like comedic impact. The song immediately segues to the frenetic track featuring racing strings, a powerful choral group, and a surprise appearance from none other than Björk.
"The magic with this album lies in you never exactly know—or even want to know—what it will go to next."
Almost every song finishes in a totally distinct point than where it started. A track explores the transient nature of celebrity over a delicate orchestration only to disintegrating into digital chaos. Elsewhere, a song echoing the artist's earlier rhythmic style starts off moody and sinister, featuring menacing vocals, before sudden traditional handclaps and a heavenly choir enter to smooth its rough edges.
The Bridge Of Experiment & Pop
Another crucial achievement of Lux involves navigating the gap of bold experimentation and broad appeal. It is no coincidence that the album has become her first work to crack the upper reaches of key charts: at its core a suite of utterly catchy pop songs. A song performed primarily in the English language swells around a refrain that feels to collect increasingly infectious melodies while it spirals upward. That trick is echoed by a different powerful ballad that expands and constricts, weaving multiple tunes like a complex weave.
- A waltz-like song charms with its jaunty, theatrical drama and an anthemic chorus.
- In its words, it aligns with pop culture honesty of other breakup songs, lambasting a former partner described as an "psychological bully".
- Across the album, the singing have a sharp edge, like a fairy-tale figure concealing a knife: "Gold medal in acting like a scoundrel / You've the podium of disappointment."
A Maximalist Banquet for the Ears
Lux represents pop on a grand scale, a hungry grasp for high artistry in an era of looming artificial sameness. It rejects solipsism in favor of glorious elevation, creating a dramatic drama that skillfully manages its built-in ridiculousness. It is an abundant well of hidden gems that takes time to completely mine but doesn't seem like hard work. While some big releases of the year felt like a meager scraps, this record is a sumptuous banquet at which the characters around the table, perhaps tipsy on holy drink, flutter between discussions about ancient figures, the galvanizing sensation of soul-shattering sadness, and shared stories about hopeless men. In essence, it's a modern-day theatrical production from pop's most restlessly creative visionary.
