At first glance, Lux may look closer to an arduous academic examination rather than the latest pop album by a musician whose last single was a collaboration with an international pop icon. Divided into four distinct sections and sung in 13 tongues, this is a head-spinning symphonic opus exploring female mystique, religious ascent, and corporal change, frequently through the perspective of various women saints. The end of a love affair—a theme treated with raw honesty elsewhere—is shot upwards here, buoyed by the lush presence of a major orchestra and input from an award-winning composer among a long list of collaborators. Its sheer daring by itself makes the work of other artists look quite modest.
Rising Above Academic Exercise
The fact that this album manages to transcend overly intellectual posturing is almost a miracle, and complete praise belonging to Rosalía. Although this is not her first project to alchemize historical sounds and the present, its ambitions are much higher here, with the balancing act more precarious. The element that really raises this fourth album, outside of its multilayered tunes, rich compositions, and inherent drama, is an essential sense of fun. Much like the legendary artist during her height, there is a captivating sense to Rosalía's voice that pulls you into its whirlwind. Even when she's breaking hearts in two, you nevertheless desire to stay alongside her for the journey.
A Signature Example of Joy
That playful spirit shines brightly on a stirring Italian song about Saint Clare. It luxuriates in a string-drenched whirlpool over more than four moments. Then, all the music falls silent, to reveal there's a gleeful laugh and a comment before a hilariously exaggerated orchestral crescendo crashes down like cartoonish force. The song then segues into the wild single driven by galloping strings, an imposing choral group, and a surprise appearance from none other than herself.
"The magic with this album lies in the listener rarely quite understand—or even wish to know—where it will go next."
Nearly every track ends at a totally distinct point than how it started. One moment examines the transient nature of celebrity with a featherlight orchestration only to disintegrating in electronic chaos. Another, a song echoing her previous trap-infused style begins off moody and sinister, with prowling beats, before fluttering traditional handclaps and a heavenly chorus arrive to smooth its rough edges.
The Bridge Of Experiment and Accessibility
Another crucial balancing act on the album is navigating the line between bold experimentation and mainstream accessibility. It is no surprise that it has achieved the artist's highest-charting release to break into the Top 5 of major markets: its heart contains a suite of truly undeniable pop songs. One track performed entirely in the English language builds on a chorus that feels to collect more and more infectious melodies while it spins skyward. This feat gets echoed on another powerful track that expands and constricts, weaving layered tunes as a complex tapestry.
- A waltz-like song charms with its jaunty, theatrical drama and a chant-along hook.
- Lyrically, it shares with pop culture impact of contemporary heartbreak songs, eviscerating a former lover described as an "psychological bully".
- Throughout the album, the vocals have a painted-on smile, like a storybook figure concealing a knife: "Top prize in being a scoundrel / You've the podium of disappointment."
An Opulent Feast for the Ears
This album represents pop on a grand scale, a hungry grasp for capital-A artistry in an era of looming AI-generated sameness. It rejects self-absorption for glorious elevation, creating an over-the-top drama that masterfully manages its own built-in ridiculousness. This is a deep source of buried treasure that takes patience to completely explore but doesn't feels like a chore. Where other big pop albums of the year seemed like feasting on scraps, this record offers a sumptuous feast at which the guests at it, perhaps intoxicated on holy drink, flutter from conversations about historical figures, the galvanizing feeling of heartbreaking sadness, and common gossip about useless partners. In essence, it's a modern-day musical from pop's most restlessly inventive practitioner.
