At first glance, Lux might appear more like an arduous university quiz than a new pop project from an artist whose last hit featured a global pop star. Split across four separate sections and voiced in 13 languages, this is a dizzying symphonic album investigating female mystique, religious transcendence, and physical change, frequently via the prism of different female saints. The dissolution of a love affair—a theme handled with grounded honesty elsewhere—is launched heavenward on this record, carried by the lush presence of a major symphony orchestra and work from a Pulitzer-winning composer among an extensive roll call of collaborators. The pure ambition by itself makes the work of contemporary pop stars appear quite small.
Rising Above Scholarly Pretense
The fact that this album manages to escape dry academic posturing feels almost miraculous, with sole praise going to the artist. Although this is not the first time project to alchemize the past with the present, its scale feel far greater on Lux, and the tightrope walk more dramatic. The element that truly elevates her fourth release, outside of its multilayered tunes, rich compositions, and inherent theatricality, proves to be a core sense of fun. Much like the legendary Björk during her height, there is a captivating quality to Rosalía's singing that pulls the listener into its tornado. When she is breaking hearts apart, you still want to stay right there through the journey.
A Signature Example of Exuberance
This exuberant energy shines brightly during the stunning piano-led song inspired by Saint Clare. It bathes in a sorrowful whirlpool over several minutes. Then, all the music drops away, to reveal we hear a spontaneous giggle followed by a declaration before a comically exaggerated string crescendo thuds down with comedic impact. The song immediately segues to the frenetic single featuring racing orchestration, an imposing choir, and a surprise appearance from none other than herself.
"The charm of this album lies in you rarely exactly know—nor wish to know—where it will go next."
Nearly every song finishes in a completely different place than how it started. One moment explores the transient trappings of fame with a featherlight orchestration only to disintegrating in digital cacophony. Another, a song that recalls the artist's previous trap-infused work begins off moody and brooding, with menacing vocals, before sudden flamenco handclaps and a heavenly chorus arrive to smooth the song's rough edges.
The Bridge Of Art and Accessibility
Another crucial achievement of the album involves navigating the line of bold innovation and mainstream appeal. It is little surprise that the album has achieved the artist's highest-charting work to crack the Top 5 of key charts: at its core a collection of truly undeniable pop songs. One track sung entirely in the English language swells around a chorus that seems to gather more and more infectious hooks while it spins upward. This feat is repeated by another powerful track that grows and contracts, weaving layered melodies as an intricate weave.
- A dance-infused number seduces via its jaunty, theatrical drama and an anthemic hook.
- Lyrically, it shares with cultural honesty of other breakup songs, lambasting a former partner described as an "psychological bully".
- Throughout these tracks, the singing carry a sharp smile, like a storybook figure hiding a knife: "Gold medal in acting like a motherfucker / You've the podium of letdown."
An Opulent Banquet for the Soul
Lux represents pop on a maximalist level, a hungry grasp for capital-A artistry amid of impending AI-generated blankness. It eschews solipsism for sublime elevation, creating a dramatic spectacle that skillfully controls its inherent excess. This is an abundant well of hidden treasure that requires patience to fully mine but never feels like hard work. While some big releases of the year seemed like feasting on meal, this record is a sumptuous feast where the characters at it, some intoxicated on holy drink, flutter from conversations about historical figures, the profound feeling of heartbreaking grief, and common stories about useless men. In essence, it's a contemporary musical from pop's most restlessly inventive practitioner.
