At first glance, this work may look more like an arduous university challenge than a new popular music record from a musician whose previous single featured a global pop star. Divided across four distinct parts and performed in thirteen languages, we have a head-spinning classical-tinged opus exploring female mystery, spiritual transcendence, and corporal transformation, often by way of the perspective of different women saints. The dissolution of a romance—a topic treated with grounded openness elsewhere—is launched upwards on this record, buoyed by the lush presence of a full orchestra and input from a Pulitzer-winning songwriter among a vast roll call of contributors. Its sheer audacity by itself renders the work of contemporary pop stars appear quite laughable.
Transcending Academic Exercise
That Lux manages to transcend dry intellectual chin-stroking is almost miraculous, with sole praise belonging to the artist. While this is not the first time project to blend historical sounds and modern styles, its scale are much higher here, and the balancing act far more pronounced. The element that really raises this fourth release, beyond its complex tunes, dense compositions, and engrained theatricality, proves to be an essential sense of fun. Similar to the legendary Björk during her height, you find a wondrous quality to Rosalía's singing which sweeps the listener into its whirlwind. When she is tearing hearts in two, you nevertheless want to be alongside her through the ride.
A Signature Moment of Joy
This exuberant energy comes forth brightly during the stirring piano-led song inspired by a saint. It luxuriates in a string-drenched whirlpool over several minutes. Then, all the music drops away, and we hear a spontaneous laugh followed by a comment prior to a hilariously over-the-top orchestral surge thuds in with comedic force. The song then segues to the wild single featuring racing orchestration, a powerful choral group, and a cameo role from the artist Björk.
"The magic of Lux is that the listener rarely exactly understand—nor wish to predict—what it will go next."
Almost each track concludes in a completely different place from how it started. One moment examines the fleeting trappings of fame over a featherlight symphony only to collapsing in electronic cacophony. Elsewhere, a song that recalls the artist's earlier rhythmic style starts out moody and sinister, with prowling beats, before sudden flamenco handclaps and an angelic choir enter to smooth the song's rough corners.
The Balance Of Experiment & Accessibility
A key achievement of Lux is straddling the gap between bold innovation and broad appeal. This is no coincidence that the album has become her first release to crack the Top 5 of key markets: its heart contains a collection of truly undeniable hits. One track performed entirely in English swells around a refrain that feels to gather increasingly infectious hooks as it spirals upward. This feat is echoed by a different powerful ballad that grows and contracts, intertwining layered tunes as an intricate tapestry.
- A dance-infused number charms with its jaunty, theatrical flair and an anthemic chorus.
- Lyrically, it shares with pop culture honesty of contemporary breakup anthems, lambasting a former partner described as an "emotional bully".
- Throughout the album, the vocals have a sharp edge, akin to a fairy-tale character concealing a blade: "Gold medal in acting like a scoundrel / You have the podium of letdown."
An Opulent Banquet for the Ears
Lux is popular music on a maximalist scale, a hungry grasp for high artistry amid of looming AI-generated sameness. It eschews solipsism for glorious transcendence, crafting a dramatic spectacle that skillfully controls its built-in ridiculousness. It is an abundant well of buried treasure that takes patience to fully mine but doesn't feels like a chore. Where other major releases of 2025 seemed like feasting on meal, Lux is a sumptuous banquet where the guests at the table, perhaps intoxicated on sacred wine, flutter between discussions about ancient saints, the galvanizing feeling of soul-shattering sadness, and common gossip about hopeless partners. It is a contemporary theatrical production from pop's most restlessly creative practitioner.
