At first glance, this album could seem more like a difficult university quiz rather than the latest popular music album from a musician who just had a last hit was a collaboration with an international K-pop star. Split across four distinct movements and voiced in 13 tongues, we have a dizzying orchestral-influenced opus that delves into female mystique, spiritual transcendence, and physical transformation, often via the prism of different female saints. The dissolution of a romance—a topic handled with raw openness elsewhere—is launched skyward here, buoyed by the lush sound of a full orchestra and contributions from an award-winning songwriter among a vast list of contributors. The pure ambition by itself makes the work of contemporary artists look quite laughable.
Transcending Scholarly Exercise
That Lux manages to transcend dry academic chin-stroking feels nothing short of miraculous, with sole credit going to the artist. While this is not the first time album to blend the past and modern styles, the stakes feel far greater on Lux, with the balancing act far more dramatic. The element that truly elevates her fourth album, beyond its multilayered melodies, dense compositions, and inherent drama, is an essential spirit of playfulness. Much like the legendary Björk at her height, you find a wondrous sense to Rosalía's voice which sweeps the listener up in its tornado. Even when she's breaking your heart in two, the listener still desire to be right there for the journey.
A Signature Moment of Exuberance
This playful spirit shines clearly on a stunning Italian ballad inspired by a saint. It luxuriates in a sorrowful whirlpool over more than four moments. Suddenly, everything falls away, and there's a spontaneous giggle followed by a declaration before a hilariously exaggerated string surge thuds in like cartoonish impact. The song immediately shifts to the wild track driven by racing strings, an imposing choir, and a surprise appearance from the artist herself.
"The charm of this album is that the listener rarely quite understand—nor want to predict—where you will go to next."
Almost each song concludes at a completely distinct place than where it started. A track explores the transient trappings of fame over a delicate orchestration before disintegrating into electronic cacophony. Elsewhere, a cut that recalls the artist's previous rhythmic work starts out moody and sinister, featuring menacing beats, before fluttering traditional rhythms and a heavenly chorus enter to smooth its rough corners.
The Bridge Between Art and Accessibility
A key achievement of the album involves straddling the line between bold experimentation and broad accessibility. It is no surprise that the album has become the artist's first work to break into the upper reaches of major markets: its heart contains a collection of utterly undeniable pop songs. A song sung entirely in English swells around a chorus that seems to gather more and more nagging hooks as it spins skyward. That trick is repeated by another powerful ballad that grows and contracts, weaving multiple tunes like a complex tapestry.
- A dance-infused song charms via its playful, theatrical flair and an anthemic chorus.
- In its words, it aligns with cultural honesty of other breakup anthems, eviscerating a former partner described as an "psychological bully".
- Across these tracks, the singing carry a sharp edge, akin to a storybook figure concealing a knife: "Gold medal in acting like a scoundrel / You have the podium of letdown."
A Maximalist Feast for the Ears
This album represents pop on a grand scale, an ambitious grasp for capital-A artistry in an era of looming AI-generated sameness. It eschews self-absorption for glorious elevation, creating a dramatic spectacle that skillfully manages its own built-in excess. It is an abundant source of hidden gems that takes patience to completely explore but never feels like hard work. Where other major releases of 2025 felt like a meager meal, Lux is a sumptuous feast where the guests around it, perhaps tipsy on holy drink, flutter from conversations about ancient saints, the galvanizing feeling of heartbreaking sadness, and common stories about useless partners. In essence, it's a modern-day theatrical production from music's most restlessly inventive practitioner.
