On the surface, this album may look closer to an arduous scholarly examination than the latest pop record by a musician who just had a last single featured a global pop icon. Broken into four different sections and voiced in 13 tongues, we have a head-spinning orchestral-influenced opus that delves into female mystery, spiritual ascent, and bodily change, frequently via the perspective of different female saints. The dissolution of a romance—a topic handled with grounded honesty elsewhere—soars skyward here, supported by the lush presence of a full symphony orchestra and work from an award-winning composer among an extensive roll call of collaborators. The pure ambition by itself renders the work of contemporary artists look quite laughable.
Transcending Scholarly Pretense
The fact that this album succeeds in avoid overly intellectual chin-stroking is nothing short of a miracle, with full praise belonging to the artist. Although this is not her first project to blend historical sounds with modern styles, its scale feel far higher on Lux, and the tightrope walk more precarious. The element that truly elevates this fourth release, beyond its multilayered tunes, rich compositions, and engrained drama, proves to be an essential sense of playfulness. Much like the legendary artist at her height, there is a captivating quality to Rosalía's voice which sweeps the listener up in its whirlwind. When she's breaking your heart apart, you still want to stay alongside her for the ride.
A Prime Moment of Exuberance
This playful spirit shines brightly during a stirring Italian ballad inspired by Saint Clare. It luxuriates in a string-drenched whirlpool over more than four minutes. Suddenly, all the music falls silent, and there's a spontaneous giggle and a comment before a comically over-the-top string crescendo crashes down with comedic force. The track then segues into the wild single driven by galloping orchestration, an imposing choral group, and a cameo role from none other than Björk.
"The magic of this album lies in you rarely quite know—or even want to know—where it is going to next."
Almost each track finishes at a completely different point than how it started. One moment explores the transient nature of fame with a featherlight symphony only to disintegrating into electronic cacophony. Elsewhere, a cut that recalls the artist's earlier trap-infused style begins out dark and brooding, featuring menacing vocals, until fluttering traditional rhythms and a heavenly chorus arrive to soften its rough corners.
The Balance Of Experiment & Pop
Another crucial balancing act of the album is straddling the line of bold experimentation and broad accessibility. It is no surprise that the album has become her highest-charting release to break into the upper reaches of key markets: at its core a suite of truly undeniable hits. A song sung primarily in English swells around a refrain that seems to collect increasingly infectious melodies as it spirals skyward. This feat is echoed on another powerful track that expands and constricts, weaving layered melodies like an intricate weave.
- A waltz-like number charms via its playful, Disney-adjacent drama and an anthemic chorus.
- Lyrically, it aligns with pop culture honesty of contemporary heartbreak songs, lambasting a former partner labeled an "psychological bully".
- Throughout the album, the vocals carry a sharp edge, akin to a storybook character concealing a blade: "Top prize in acting like a scoundrel / You've won the trophy of disappointment."
A Maximalist Feast for the Soul
Lux represents popular music on a maximalist level, a hungry reach for high artistry in an era of impending AI-generated blankness. It eschews solipsism for glorious elevation, crafting a dramatic drama that masterfully manages its built-in excess. This is an abundant well of buried treasure that takes patience to completely mine but never feels like a chore. While some major pop albums of the year seemed like a meager meal, this record offers a sumptuous banquet where the characters around the table, some intoxicated on holy drink, flit between conversations about historical saints, the galvanizing sensation of soul-shattering grief, and common gossip about hopeless men. In essence, it's a contemporary theatrical production from music's most restlessly inventive practitioner.
