Initially, this work may look closer to a difficult academic challenge rather than the latest pop record by an artist whose previous single featured an international K-pop star. Divided across 4 different sections and sung in thirteen tongues, this is a dizzying classical-tinged opus that delves into female mystique, spiritual transcendence, and bodily change, frequently by way of the perspective of various saintly figures. The dissolution of a love affair—a topic treated with grounded openness elsewhere—is launched upwards on this record, buoyed by the constant presence of a full orchestra and contributions from a Pulitzer-winning songwriter within a long list of collaborators. The pure ambition by itself renders the efforts of other artists look quite small.
Rising Above Academic Pretense
That Lux manages to escape overly academic chin-stroking feels almost a miracle, with full praise going to Rosalía. Although this is not the first time project to alchemize the past and modern styles, its ambitions feel much greater on Lux, and the tightrope walk more dramatic. The element that truly raises this fourth release, outside of its multilayered melodies, dense arrangements, and inherent drama, proves to be a core sense of fun. Similar to the iconic Björk at her height, you find a captivating quality to Rosalía's voice which sweeps you into its whirlwind. Even when she's tearing hearts apart, you nevertheless desire to be right there for the journey.
A Signature Example of Exuberance
That playful spirit comes forth brightly during a stirring Italian song about a saint. It bathes in a string-drenched whirlpool for several minutes. Then, all the music falls away, to reveal we hear a gleeful laugh followed by a comment prior to a comically over-the-top orchestral crescendo thuds in with comedic impact. The song immediately segues to the wild track featuring galloping strings, an imposing choir, and a cameo role from none other than Björk.
"The magic with Lux lies in you rarely exactly understand—nor wish to predict—where you will go to next."
Almost each song ends in a totally different place than where it started. One moment examines the fleeting nature of celebrity over a featherlight symphony before collapsing in digital cacophony. Elsewhere, a cut echoing the artist's previous rhythmic style begins off moody and sinister, with menacing vocals, until fluttering flamenco rhythms and a heavenly chorus arrive to smooth the song's jagged corners.
The Balance Of Experiment & Accessibility
Another crucial achievement on the album is navigating the gap of bold experimentation and broad appeal. It is no surprise that it has become the artist's highest-charting release to break into the Top 5 of key markets: at its core a collection of truly catchy pop songs. One track sung entirely in the English language builds around a chorus that feels to collect more and more infectious melodies while it spirals upward. This feat gets repeated by a different powerful ballad that grows and contracts, intertwining layered tunes as an intricate weave.
- A dance-infused song seduces with its jaunty, theatrical drama and an anthemic hook.
- Lyrically, it shares with pop culture impact of other heartbreak songs, eviscerating an ex- partner described as an "emotional bully".
- Throughout the album, the singing have a sharp edge, like a storybook character hiding a blade: "Gold medal in being a motherfucker / You've the podium of letdown."
A Maximalist Feast for the Soul
Lux is popular music on a maximalist level, an ambitious grasp for capital-A artistry in an era of looming artificial sameness. It rejects self-absorption in favor of glorious elevation, creating a dramatic spectacle that masterfully manages its built-in ridiculousness. This is a deep well of hidden gems that requires time to fully explore but doesn't seem like a chore. While some major releases of the year seemed like a meager scraps, this record is a lavish feast where the guests at the table, some intoxicated on sacred drink, flutter between discussions about historical saints, the galvanizing sensation of soul-shattering sadness, and shared gossip about useless men. It is a modern-day musical from pop's truly restlessly creative practitioner.
