At first glance, Lux could seem more like an arduous scholarly examination than a new pop record by a musician who just had a previous hit featured an international K-pop star. Broken into four different parts and sung in 13 languages, we have a dizzying symphonic opus that delves into feminine mystery, religious transcendence, and bodily change, frequently via the lens of different women saints. The end of a relationship—a topic treated with grounded openness elsewhere—soars skyward here, supported by the lush sound of a full orchestra and input from a Pulitzer-winning composer among an extensive roll call of collaborators. Its sheer daring alone renders the efforts of other pop stars look rather modest.
Rising Above Scholarly Exercise
That this album succeeds in escape overly academic posturing feels nearly miraculous, with sole praise going to the artist. While this is not the first time project to alchemize historical sounds with modern styles, the ambitions feel far higher on Lux, with the tightrope walk more dramatic. The element that really raises her fourth release, beyond its multilayered melodies, rich compositions, and engrained theatricality, is a core spirit of playfulness. Much like the iconic Björk at her peak, you find a captivating quality to Rosalía's voice which sweeps you up in its tornado. Even when she is tearing hearts in two, the listener still desire to stay alongside her for the ride.
A Prime Example of Exuberance
That exuberant energy comes forth brightly on a stirring Italian song inspired by a saint. It bathes in a sorrowful melancholy for more than four moments. Suddenly, everything falls silent, and there's a gleeful laugh followed by a comment before a hilariously exaggerated string crescendo thuds in like cartoonish impact. The song then segues into the wild single driven by racing strings, an imposing choir, and a surprise appearance from none other than Björk.
"The magic with this album lies in the listener rarely exactly know—nor wish to predict—where you will go to next."
Nearly every track ends at a totally different point than how it began. One moment explores the fleeting trappings of celebrity with a featherlight symphony before disintegrating into electronic chaos. Elsewhere, a song that recalls the artist's previous rhythmic style begins off dark and brooding, with menacing vocals, until sudden flamenco handclaps and an angelic choir arrive to soften the song's rough edges.
The Bridge Of Experiment & Pop
Another crucial achievement of Lux is navigating the gap between bold innovation and mainstream appeal. It is no surprise that the album has achieved the artist's first release to crack the upper reaches of key charts: its heart contains a suite of utterly undeniable pop songs. One track sung primarily in the English language swells around a refrain that feels to collect more and more infectious hooks while it spirals upward. That feat gets echoed on another expansive track that expands and contracts, weaving layered melodies as an intricate tapestry.
- A dance-infused song charms via its playful, Disney-adjacent drama and a chant-along hook.
- In its words, it shares the cultural honesty of other breakup anthems, lambasting an ex- partner described as an "emotional bully".
- Throughout the album, the singing carry a sharp edge, akin to a storybook figure hiding a blade: "Top prize in being a scoundrel / You have won the trophy of disappointment."
A Maximalist Feast for the Soul
Lux represents popular music on a grand level, a hungry grasp for capital-A artistry in an era of impending AI-generated sameness. It rejects self-absorption in favor of glorious elevation, creating a dramatic spectacle that masterfully manages its built-in ridiculousness. It is a deep source of hidden treasure that takes time to fully explore but never feels like a chore. While other big releases of the year seemed like a meager scraps, Lux offers a lavish banquet where the guests at it, perhaps intoxicated on holy drink, flutter between conversations about ancient figures, the profound feeling of heartbreaking grief, and shared stories about useless partners. In essence, it's a contemporary musical from pop's most restlessly inventive practitioner.
