On the surface, this album could seem closer to an arduous academic challenge than a new pop album by an artist whose previous single featured an international pop star. Divided into four different parts and sung in 13 languages, this is a head-spinning symphonic album that delves into female mystery, religious transcendence, and bodily change, often through the lens of various saintly figures. The dissolution of a relationship—a topic handled with raw honesty elsewhere—is shot upwards on this record, supported by the lush presence of a major symphony orchestra and contributions from a Pulitzer-winning composer among an extensive list of contributors. Its sheer audacity by itself makes the efforts of other pop stars look rather laughable.
Transcending Academic Pretense
The fact that this album succeeds in escape dry academic posturing feels nothing short of a miracle, with complete credit going to Rosalía. While this is not the first time project to alchemize the past with modern styles, the scale are much higher on Lux, and the tightrope walk more pronounced. The element that truly elevates her fourth release, beyond its complex tunes, dense compositions, and engrained drama, is a core sense of playfulness. Much like the iconic artist during her height, there is a captivating quality to the vocalist's singing which sweeps you up in its whirlwind. Even when she is tearing hearts in two, the listener still desire to stay right there through the ride.
A Prime Moment of Joy
That playful spirit shines brightly during a stunning Italian ballad about Saint Clare. It luxuriates in a sorrowful melancholy for more than four minutes. Suddenly, everything falls away, and there's a gleeful giggle followed by a declaration prior to a comically over-the-top string crescendo thuds down with comedic impact. The song then segues to the wild track featuring racing strings, an imposing choral group, and a surprise appearance from none other than Björk.
"The magic of Lux is that you never exactly know—or even wish to predict—what it is going to next."
Nearly every track finishes in a completely different point than where it started. A track examines the fleeting trappings of celebrity with a featherlight symphony before collapsing in digital cacophony. Elsewhere, a cut echoing the artist's earlier trap-infused work starts off moody and brooding, with prowling beats, before fluttering traditional rhythms and an angelic choir arrive to soften its rough edges.
The Bridge Between Experiment and Pop
A key achievement on the album is straddling the line between bold experimentation and mainstream accessibility. It is little surprise that the album has become her first work to crack the Top 5 of key markets: its heart contains a suite of truly catchy hits. One track sung primarily in the English language swells on a refrain that seems to collect increasingly nagging hooks while it spirals skyward. This trick gets repeated by another powerful track that expands and constricts, intertwining layered tunes like an intricate weave.
- A waltz-like song charms via its playful, Disney-adjacent drama and an anthemic chorus.
- In its words, it aligns the cultural impact of contemporary breakup songs, eviscerating an ex- lover labeled an "emotional bully".
- Throughout the album, the singing have a sharp edge, akin to a storybook character concealing a knife: "Top prize in being a scoundrel / You've the podium of disappointment."
An Opulent Feast for the Soul
This album is popular music on a maximalist level, a hungry grasp for high Art amid of looming artificial sameness. It rejects self-absorption for glorious transcendence, crafting an over-the-top spectacle that skillfully controls its own built-in excess. It is a deep well of hidden gems that requires time to fully explore but doesn't feels like hard work. Where other major pop albums of the year seemed like a meager scraps, Lux is a lavish banquet where the guests at the table, perhaps tipsy on holy drink, flit between discussions about historical saints, the profound sensation of soul-shattering sadness, and shared stories about hopeless partners. In essence, it's a modern-day theatrical production from pop's most restlessly creative visionary.
