At first glance, this album could seem closer to a difficult academic examination rather than the latest pop project by an artist whose previous single was a collaboration with a global K-pop star. Split into 4 separate movements and voiced in 13 tongues, we have a breathtaking symphonic opus investigating female mystery, spiritual transcendence, and corporal transformation, often via the lens of different women saints. The end of a relationship—a theme treated with grounded honesty elsewhere—soars heavenward on this record, carried by the constant presence of a major orchestra and work from a Pulitzer-winning songwriter within an extensive roll call of collaborators. The pure daring alone makes the work of contemporary pop stars appear quite laughable.
Transcending Academic Pretense
The fact that this album succeeds in avoid dry intellectual chin-stroking feels nothing short of miraculous, with sole credit going to the artist. Although it's not her first album to fuse the past and the present, its scale are far higher on Lux, with the balancing act more dramatic. What really elevates this fourth release, outside of its multilayered melodies, dense compositions, and inherent drama, is a core spirit of fun. Much like the iconic Björk at her peak, you find a wondrous sense to Rosalía's voice which sweeps you into its tornado. When she's breaking hearts in two, the listener nevertheless want to be alongside her for the ride.
A Prime Example of Exuberance
This exuberant spirit shines clearly on a stunning Italian song about Saint Clare. It luxuriates in a string-drenched whirlpool over more than four minutes. Then, everything falls away, to reveal there's a spontaneous laugh and a declaration before a comically exaggerated orchestral crescendo thuds in like comedic impact. The song then segues to the frenetic single featuring racing strings, an imposing choral group, and a cameo role from none other than Björk.
"The charm with this album lies in you never exactly know—nor want to know—what you will go next."
Almost every track concludes in a completely different place than where it began. One moment examines the fleeting trappings of fame with a delicate symphony only to collapsing in digital cacophony. Another, a song echoing the artist's previous trap-infused work starts off dark and brooding, with prowling vocals, before fluttering flamenco handclaps and an angelic choir enter to smooth the song's jagged corners.
The Balance Between Experiment & Accessibility
A key achievement of Lux involves navigating the gap between bold experimentation and mainstream appeal. This is little surprise that it has achieved her first work to break into the Top 5 of key charts: at its core a suite of utterly undeniable pop songs. One track performed entirely in the English language swells around a chorus that seems to gather more and more nagging melodies as it spirals upward. That feat is echoed on another powerful ballad that expands and constricts, weaving multiple melodies as an intricate tapestry.
- A dance-infused number seduces with its jaunty, theatrical flair and a chant-along hook.
- In its words, it aligns with pop culture honesty of other breakup anthems, lambasting a former partner described as an "psychological bully".
- Across these tracks, the singing carry a sharp smile, akin to a storybook figure hiding a blade: "Top prize in being a scoundrel / You've won the trophy of disappointment."
A Maximalist Feast for the Soul
This album represents pop on a grand scale, an ambitious reach for high Art amid of looming AI-generated sameness. It eschews self-absorption for glorious transcendence, crafting a dramatic spectacle that masterfully controls its inherent excess. It is an abundant source of hidden treasure that requires time to fully explore but doesn't feels like a chore. While some major releases of the year seemed like a meager meal, Lux offers a sumptuous feast where the guests around the table, some tipsy on sacred drink, flutter from discussions about ancient figures, the profound feeling of heartbreaking sadness, and common stories about useless partners. It is a modern-day musical from music's most restlessly creative practitioner.
