On the surface, Lux might appear closer to an arduous academic examination than the latest pop album from an artist whose last hit was a collaboration with a global pop star. Split into 4 separate parts and sung in thirteen languages, we have a dizzying classical-tinged work investigating female mystique, religious ascent, and corporal transformation, frequently through the prism of various saintly figures. The dissolution of a love affair—a theme handled with raw openness on another major 2025 album—is launched upwards here, buoyed by the lush sound of a full orchestra and contributions from an award-winning songwriter within an extensive roll call of contributors. The pure ambition alone makes the efforts of other pop stars look quite laughable.
Rising Above Scholarly Pretense
That this album manages to escape overly academic chin-stroking feels nearly a miracle, with complete praise belonging to the artist. While it's not the first time album to blend historical sounds and modern styles, the scale are far higher here, with the tightrope walk far more pronounced. The element that really elevates this fourth release, outside of its complex tunes, dense arrangements, and inherent theatricality, is a core sense of joy. Similar to the iconic artist at her height, there is a wondrous quality to Rosalía's voice that pulls you into its tornado. When she is tearing hearts in two, the listener still want to stay right there for the ride.
A Prime Moment of Exuberance
This playful spirit comes forth clearly during the stirring Italian song about Saint Clare. It luxuriates in a sorrowful melancholy for more than four moments. Suddenly, everything falls silent, and we hear a spontaneous laugh and a declaration prior to a hilariously exaggerated string crescendo crashes in with cartoonish force. The song then shifts into the wild track driven by racing strings, an imposing choir, and a surprise appearance from none other than herself.
"The charm with Lux lies in you never quite know—nor want to know—where you will go to next."
Almost each song finishes at a completely distinct place from where it started. A track examines the fleeting trappings of fame over a featherlight symphony only to collapsing into digital cacophony. Another, a song echoing the artist's earlier rhythmic style begins off moody and sinister, featuring menacing beats, until sudden flamenco handclaps and a heavenly chorus arrive to soften its rough edges.
The Bridge Of Experiment and Accessibility
A key balancing act of the album is straddling the line of bold experimentation and broad accessibility. This is no coincidence that it has become the artist's highest-charting work to crack the Top 5 of major charts: at its core a suite of truly undeniable hits. One track sung entirely in the English language builds around a refrain that seems to collect more and more infectious hooks as it spirals upward. That feat is repeated on a different expansive ballad that expands and contracts, weaving layered tunes as a complex weave.
- A waltz-like song charms with its jaunty, theatrical flair and an anthemic chorus.
- Lyrically, it aligns with cultural impact of contemporary breakup anthems, eviscerating an ex- partner described as an "emotional terrorist".
- Throughout the album, the singing carry a painted-on smile, akin to a fairy-tale figure concealing a knife: "Gold medal in being a scoundrel / You have the podium of disappointment."
A Maximalist Feast for the Ears
Lux is popular music on a grand scale, a hungry grasp for capital-A artistry amid of looming AI-generated blankness. It eschews self-absorption for sublime elevation, crafting a dramatic spectacle that masterfully manages its inherent excess. It is a deep source of buried gems that requires time to fully explore but doesn't feels like hard work. Where some big releases of the year seemed like a meager meal, Lux is a lavish feast at which the characters at the table, perhaps tipsy on sacred wine, flit from discussions about historical figures, the galvanizing sensation of soul-shattering sadness, and common stories about useless partners. In essence, it's a contemporary musical from music's truly endlessly creative visionary.
