At first glance, Lux might appear more like an arduous academic quiz than a new popular music album by an artist whose previous hit was a collaboration with a global K-pop star. Divided into 4 different movements and voiced in 13 tongues, we have a dizzying classical-tinged opus that delves into feminine mystery, spiritual transcendence, and bodily change, frequently via the lens of various saintly figures. The dissolution of a romance—a theme handled with raw honesty elsewhere—is launched skyward here, buoyed by the constant presence of a major symphony orchestra and contributions from a Pulitzer-winning songwriter among a vast roll call of contributors. The pure ambition by itself renders the work of other artists appear quite modest.
Transcending Scholarly Pretense
The fact that Lux succeeds in transcend overly academic chin-stroking feels almost a miracle, with complete praise belonging to Rosalía. While it's not the first time album to alchemize the past with modern styles, the stakes feel much greater on Lux, and the tightrope walk more precarious. What truly elevates her fourth album, beyond its complex tunes, rich compositions, and engrained theatricality, proves to be a core spirit of playfulness. Much like the iconic Björk at her peak, there is a captivating sense to the vocalist's singing that pulls you into its whirlwind. When she is breaking your heart in two, you still desire to be alongside her for the ride.
A Prime Example of Exuberance
That playful spirit shines clearly during a stunning piano-led song inspired by Saint Clare. It luxuriates in a sorrowful whirlpool for more than four moments. Suddenly, everything drops away, to reveal there's a gleeful giggle and a declaration prior to a hilariously exaggerated orchestral crescendo thuds down with comedic impact. The track immediately shifts to the wild track driven by racing strings, a powerful choral group, and a surprise appearance from none other than herself.
"The charm with Lux lies in the listener rarely quite know—nor wish to know—where it is going next."
Nearly every song finishes in a completely different point than how it started. A track examines the fleeting nature of celebrity with a featherlight symphony only to collapsing in electronic cacophony. Elsewhere, a song that recalls her previous trap-infused work starts off dark and brooding, featuring menacing vocals, until sudden flamenco handclaps and an angelic choir arrive to smooth its rough edges.
The Balance Of Art & Accessibility
A key achievement of Lux is straddling the gap of radical experimentation and mainstream appeal. It is no coincidence that it has become the artist's highest-charting release to crack the Top 5 of key charts: its heart contains a suite of truly catchy hits. One track performed entirely in the English language swells around a chorus that seems to collect more and more nagging hooks as it spirals upward. This feat gets repeated by another expansive track that expands and contracts, weaving multiple melodies like an intricate tapestry.
- A waltz-like number charms with its jaunty, theatrical flair and a chant-along chorus.
- Lyrically, it shares the pop culture honesty of contemporary heartbreak songs, eviscerating a former partner labeled an "psychological bully".
- Throughout these tracks, the singing carry a sharp smile, akin to a fairy-tale figure hiding a blade: "Gold medal in acting like a scoundrel / You've won the trophy of letdown."
A Maximalist Banquet for the Soul
Lux represents popular music on a maximalist scale, a hungry reach for high artistry in an era of looming artificial sameness. It eschews solipsism in favor of sublime transcendence, creating a dramatic spectacle that skillfully manages its built-in excess. It is a deep source of hidden gems that takes time to fully explore but doesn't feels like a chore. While other major releases of the year seemed like a meager scraps, Lux is a sumptuous banquet where the characters around the table, some tipsy on holy drink, flutter from discussions about historical figures, the galvanizing sensation of heartbreaking grief, and shared gossip about useless men. In essence, it's a modern-day musical from music's truly endlessly creative practitioner.
