Initially, Lux might appear closer to a difficult scholarly examination than a new popular music project by a musician whose last hit was a collaboration with an international K-pop star. Broken across four distinct parts and voiced in 13 tongues, we have a dizzying orchestral-influenced work that delves into feminine mystique, religious ascent, and physical change, often by way of the perspective of different women saints. The end of a love affair—a topic treated with grounded honesty on another major 2025 album—is shot heavenward here, buoyed by the constant presence of a major orchestra and contributions from an award-winning songwriter among a long roll call of contributors. The pure ambition by itself renders the efforts of contemporary pop stars appear rather modest.
Transcending Academic Pretense
That this album succeeds in escape overly academic posturing feels almost miraculous, with sole credit belonging to Rosalía. While it's not her first project to fuse the past with modern styles, its ambitions feel much greater on Lux, and the balancing act more pronounced. What really elevates this fourth release, outside of its multilayered melodies, rich compositions, and engrained drama, is a core spirit of fun. Similar to the iconic artist at her height, there is a wondrous sense to Rosalía's voice which sweeps you into its whirlwind. Even when she's tearing hearts apart, you nevertheless want to stay right there through the ride.
A Prime Moment of Joy
This playful spirit shines brightly on a stirring Italian song inspired by Saint Clare. It luxuriates in a sorrowful whirlpool over several moments. Suddenly, all the music falls silent, to reveal there's a spontaneous laugh followed by a comment before a hilariously exaggerated string surge crashes down like cartoonish impact. The track then segues into the wild single driven by racing orchestration, a powerful choral group, and a surprise appearance from the artist Björk.
"The charm of this album lies in you never quite understand—or even want to know—where it will go next."
Nearly each song finishes in a totally distinct point from how it started. One moment explores the transient nature of celebrity with a delicate symphony before disintegrating into digital cacophony. Elsewhere, a song that recalls the artist's earlier rhythmic style starts out dark and sinister, featuring menacing beats, before fluttering flamenco rhythms and an angelic chorus arrive to smooth the song's jagged corners.
The Balance Of Art & Pop
Another crucial balancing act of the album involves straddling the line of radical experimentation and broad accessibility. This is no surprise that it has become her first release to break into the upper reaches of key markets: its heart contains a suite of truly catchy hits. A song sung entirely in the English language swells around a chorus that seems to collect more and more nagging hooks as it spirals skyward. This feat gets echoed by another powerful track that grows and constricts, intertwining multiple tunes like an intricate weave.
- A waltz-like song charms with its jaunty, Disney-adjacent flair and an anthemic hook.
- In its words, it shares with cultural impact of contemporary heartbreak songs, eviscerating a former partner described as an "psychological terrorist".
- Across these tracks, the vocals carry a sharp edge, akin to a fairy-tale character hiding a knife: "Top prize in acting like a motherfucker / You've won the trophy of letdown."
A Maximalist Banquet for the Ears
Lux represents popular music on a grand scale, an ambitious reach for capital-A artistry in an era of looming artificial sameness. It rejects solipsism for sublime elevation, crafting an over-the-top spectacle that skillfully manages its own built-in excess. This is an abundant source of hidden gems that requires patience to completely mine but doesn't seem like a chore. While other big pop albums of the year seemed like a meager meal, this record offers a lavish feast where the guests at the table, perhaps intoxicated on holy wine, flit between conversations about ancient figures, the galvanizing sensation of soul-shattering sadness, and shared gossip about hopeless partners. It is a modern-day theatrical production from music's most restlessly inventive practitioner.
