On the surface, Lux could seem closer to a challenging academic challenge rather than the latest popular music record from an artist whose previous hit was a collaboration with a global pop star. Broken into 4 distinct movements and voiced in thirteen tongues, we have a head-spinning orchestral-influenced album that delves into female mystery, spiritual ascent, and corporal transformation, often via the perspective of various women saints. The end of a romance—a theme handled with raw openness elsewhere—is shot heavenward here, buoyed by the lush presence of a major symphony orchestra and work from an award-winning songwriter among an extensive list of contributors. Its sheer audacity alone renders the efforts of contemporary pop stars look quite modest.
Rising Above Scholarly Exercise
That Lux manages to escape overly academic posturing is nothing short of a miracle, with sole credit going to the artist. Although this is not her first project to blend historical sounds and modern styles, its scale are far higher on Lux, and the balancing act more precarious. The element that really elevates this fourth release, outside of its multilayered tunes, rich compositions, and inherent theatricality, is a core spirit of joy. Similar to the legendary Björk during her peak, you find a captivating quality to Rosalía's voice which sweeps the listener up in its tornado. Even when she is tearing hearts apart, the listener nevertheless want to stay alongside her through the ride.
A Prime Example of Joy
That exuberant spirit comes forth clearly during a stunning Italian ballad about Saint Clare. It luxuriates in a sorrowful whirlpool over several minutes. Suddenly, all the music falls silent, and there's a gleeful laugh followed by a comment before a comically over-the-top string crescendo crashes in like comedic force. The track then shifts into the frenetic single featuring galloping orchestration, an imposing choir, and a cameo appearance from none other than herself.
"The charm with this album lies in you rarely exactly understand—or even wish to know—what you is going next."
Almost each track concludes in a completely different place than where it began. One moment examines the fleeting trappings of celebrity with a delicate symphony only to disintegrating into electronic chaos. Elsewhere, a song that recalls her previous rhythmic work starts off dark and sinister, with prowling vocals, until fluttering flamenco rhythms and a heavenly chorus arrive to soften its jagged corners.
The Balance Of Experiment & Pop
Another crucial balancing act of Lux is navigating the line between bold experimentation and mainstream appeal. This is little coincidence that the album has achieved her highest-charting work to break into the Top 5 of major markets: at its core a suite of truly undeniable hits. A song sung primarily in the English language swells on a chorus that feels to gather more and more infectious melodies as it spirals upward. This feat is repeated by a different powerful ballad that expands and constricts, intertwining layered melodies as an intricate tapestry.
- A waltz-like song seduces via its jaunty, Disney-adjacent drama and an anthemic hook.
- Lyrically, it shares the pop culture honesty of contemporary breakup anthems, eviscerating a former partner described as an "emotional terrorist".
- Across these tracks, the vocals carry a sharp smile, akin to a storybook character hiding a blade: "Top prize in acting like a scoundrel / You have the podium of letdown."
A Maximalist Feast for the Soul
Lux is popular music on a grand level, an ambitious grasp for capital-A Art amid of impending AI-generated sameness. It rejects self-absorption for sublime elevation, creating an over-the-top drama that skillfully manages its own inherent ridiculousness. It is a deep source of hidden treasure that requires time to completely explore but never feels like hard work. Where other big releases of 2025 felt like a meager meal, Lux offers a lavish banquet where the guests around the table, perhaps intoxicated on sacred drink, flit between discussions about historical saints, the profound feeling of heartbreaking sadness, and shared gossip about hopeless partners. It is a contemporary musical from pop's truly restlessly creative practitioner.
