Initially, this album may look closer to an arduous scholarly challenge rather than the latest popular music record from an artist whose previous single was a collaboration with an international pop star. Divided into 4 different movements and performed in thirteen tongues, we have a head-spinning symphonic album investigating female mystery, spiritual ascent, and corporal transformation, frequently by way of the prism of various saintly figures. The dissolution of a relationship—a topic treated with raw openness elsewhere—soars upwards on this record, carried by the constant presence of a major orchestra and work from a Pulitzer-winning songwriter within a long roll call of contributors. Its sheer daring by itself makes the efforts of other artists seem rather modest.
Transcending Scholarly Exercise
That this album manages to transcend dry intellectual posturing is nothing short of a miracle, and sole credit belonging to Rosalía. Although this is not her first album to fuse historical sounds and the present, its scale are far greater here, and the balancing act far more dramatic. What truly raises this fourth release, beyond its multilayered tunes, dense arrangements, and engrained drama, is a core spirit of playfulness. Similar to the legendary Björk at her height, you find a captivating quality to the vocalist's voice which sweeps you up in its tornado. Even when she's breaking your heart apart, you still desire to be alongside her for the ride.
A Prime Moment of Joy
That playful spirit shines clearly on the stirring piano-led song inspired by Saint Clare. It bathes in a sorrowful whirlpool for more than four moments. Suddenly, all the music drops silent, and there's a gleeful giggle followed by a comment prior to a hilariously over-the-top string crescendo crashes down with cartoonish force. The song immediately segues into the frenetic single featuring racing strings, an imposing choral group, and a cameo appearance from none other than Björk.
"The charm with Lux lies in the listener rarely exactly understand—nor want to predict—where it will go next."
Nearly each song concludes at a totally different place from how it started. One moment explores the transient nature of fame over a featherlight symphony before collapsing in electronic cacophony. Another, a song echoing her earlier trap-infused work begins out dark and sinister, with prowling beats, before sudden flamenco rhythms and an angelic chorus enter to soften the song's rough edges.
The Balance Of Art & Pop
A key achievement on Lux involves straddling the line of bold innovation and mainstream appeal. This is no surprise that it has become the artist's highest-charting work to break into the upper reaches of key markets: its heart contains a suite of utterly catchy pop songs. A song sung entirely in English swells around a refrain that seems to gather increasingly infectious melodies while it spirals upward. This trick gets echoed on another powerful ballad that grows and contracts, intertwining multiple tunes as a complex weave.
- A waltz-like number charms via its playful, theatrical flair and a chant-along hook.
- In its words, it shares with pop culture impact of other heartbreak songs, eviscerating a former lover described as an "emotional terrorist".
- Across these tracks, the singing have a painted-on smile, akin to a fairy-tale figure hiding a blade: "Top prize in being a motherfucker / You've the podium of letdown."
A Maximalist Banquet for the Ears
Lux represents popular music on a maximalist level, a hungry grasp for capital-A Art amid of impending artificial blankness. It eschews self-absorption in favor of sublime elevation, creating a dramatic spectacle that masterfully controls its built-in excess. It is a deep source of hidden gems that requires time to fully mine but doesn't seem like hard work. While other major releases of the year felt like feasting on scraps, Lux is a lavish feast at which the guests around it, some intoxicated on sacred drink, flutter from conversations about historical figures, the profound feeling of heartbreaking sadness, and common gossip about hopeless partners. In essence, it's a modern-day theatrical production from pop's truly endlessly inventive practitioner.
