At first glance, Lux could seem closer to a difficult scholarly quiz than a new popular music record by a musician whose previous single was a collaboration with an international pop star. Divided into 4 different sections and sung in 13 languages, it is a dizzying classical-tinged opus exploring female mystery, spiritual ascent, and corporal change, frequently through the prism of different saintly figures. The dissolution of a relationship—a theme treated with raw openness elsewhere—is shot heavenward on this record, supported by the lush presence of a full orchestra and input from an award-winning songwriter within a long list of collaborators. Its sheer audacity by itself makes the efforts of contemporary artists look rather small.
Transcending Academic Exercise
The fact that Lux succeeds in transcend dry academic posturing is nothing short of miraculous, with complete credit going to Rosalía. Although it's not the first time album to blend historical sounds and the present, the scale are far higher on Lux, and the tightrope walk more precarious. The element that really raises this fourth release, outside of its multilayered melodies, rich compositions, and inherent drama, proves to be a core spirit of fun. Much like the iconic artist during her height, you find a wondrous sense to Rosalía's singing which sweeps the listener into its whirlwind. Even when she's breaking your heart apart, you nevertheless desire to stay alongside her through the journey.
A Prime Example of Exuberance
This playful spirit shines brightly during a stunning Italian song about Saint Clare. It luxuriates in a string-drenched whirlpool over several moments. Then, everything falls silent, and we hear a spontaneous giggle followed by a declaration before a hilariously over-the-top string surge thuds down like comedic force. The track then segues to the wild track driven by racing orchestration, an imposing choral group, and a cameo role from none other than Björk.
"The magic with Lux is that the listener rarely exactly understand—or even wish to know—where you is going next."
Almost each track concludes in a completely different point than how it started. A track explores the transient trappings of fame over a delicate symphony before collapsing into digital cacophony. Elsewhere, a song echoing her earlier trap-infused work starts out dark and sinister, featuring prowling vocals, until fluttering traditional rhythms and an angelic choir enter to soften its rough corners.
The Balance Between Experiment & Pop
A key balancing act on the album involves navigating the line between bold innovation and broad appeal. This is no surprise that the album has become her highest-charting work to break into the Top 5 of key markets: at its core a suite of utterly undeniable hits. A song sung primarily in English builds on a refrain that feels to collect increasingly infectious hooks as it spins skyward. This feat gets echoed by another powerful track that expands and constricts, intertwining multiple melodies as a complex tapestry.
- A dance-infused number seduces via its playful, theatrical drama and a chant-along hook.
- In its words, it aligns the cultural impact of contemporary breakup anthems, lambasting an ex- partner described as an "emotional bully".
- Across these tracks, the singing have a sharp edge, like a storybook figure concealing a blade: "Gold medal in acting like a motherfucker / You have won the trophy of disappointment."
A Maximalist Banquet for the Ears
This album is popular music on a maximalist scale, a hungry reach for high Art in an era of impending AI-generated blankness. It rejects self-absorption for glorious transcendence, creating a dramatic spectacle that skillfully manages its own inherent ridiculousness. It is a deep well of buried treasure that takes time to fully mine but doesn't seem like a chore. Where other big releases of 2025 felt like a meager scraps, this record offers a lavish feast where the characters around the table, perhaps intoxicated on sacred drink, flutter between discussions about historical saints, the galvanizing feeling of soul-shattering sadness, and shared stories about useless men. In essence, it's a contemporary musical from pop's most restlessly inventive practitioner.
