At first glance, this work may look more like a difficult academic quiz rather than the latest pop project by an artist who just had a last hit was a collaboration with a global pop star. Split into 4 distinct parts and performed in thirteen languages, we have a head-spinning classical-tinged work that delves into feminine mystery, spiritual transcendence, and corporal change, frequently by way of the prism of different female saints. The dissolution of a love affair—a topic treated with grounded openness on another major 2025 album—is shot heavenward on this record, carried by the lush sound of a full orchestra and input from a Pulitzer-winning composer among an extensive roll call of collaborators. Its sheer ambition alone makes the efforts of other pop stars look rather modest.
Transcending Academic Pretense
That Lux manages to transcend overly intellectual chin-stroking is almost miraculous, with sole praise going to Rosalía. Although it's not the first time project to fuse the past and the present, the ambitions feel far greater on Lux, with the tightrope walk far more precarious. The element that really elevates her fourth release, outside of its complex melodies, dense arrangements, and engrained theatricality, proves to be a core spirit of fun. Much like the iconic artist during her peak, there is a captivating sense to the vocalist's voice that pulls the listener up in its whirlwind. Even when she's breaking hearts in two, the listener nevertheless want to stay alongside her through the ride.
A Prime Example of Joy
This playful spirit shines brightly on the stunning piano-led ballad about a saint. It luxuriates in a sorrowful whirlpool for several moments. Then, everything drops silent, and there's a spontaneous laugh followed by a comment before a comically over-the-top orchestral crescendo thuds down with comedic force. The track then shifts into the frenetic track featuring galloping orchestration, an imposing choir, and a surprise appearance from none other than herself.
"The magic with this album lies in you rarely exactly know—nor wish to predict—what you is going next."
Almost each track finishes in a completely different point than where it started. A track explores the fleeting trappings of fame over a featherlight symphony only to disintegrating into digital chaos. Another, a cut that recalls her earlier rhythmic style begins off moody and sinister, with prowling beats, before sudden flamenco rhythms and a heavenly chorus arrive to smooth the song's rough edges.
The Balance Of Experiment & Pop
Another crucial achievement on the album is straddling the gap between bold experimentation and mainstream accessibility. This is no surprise that it has achieved the artist's first work to crack the upper reaches of key markets: at its core a collection of truly undeniable hits. One track sung primarily in the English language builds on a chorus that seems to collect increasingly infectious hooks while it spirals upward. That trick gets echoed on another expansive ballad that grows and contracts, weaving multiple melodies as a complex weave.
- A dance-infused number charms via its playful, theatrical flair and an anthemic hook.
- In its words, it aligns with pop culture honesty of contemporary heartbreak anthems, eviscerating a former partner described as an "emotional terrorist".
- Across the album, the vocals carry a painted-on smile, akin to a storybook figure concealing a blade: "Top prize in being a motherfucker / You've won the trophy of letdown."
A Maximalist Banquet for the Ears
Lux represents popular music on a maximalist scale, a hungry reach for high Art amid of looming artificial sameness. It eschews self-absorption in favor of sublime elevation, creating an over-the-top drama that masterfully manages its built-in excess. It is an abundant source of hidden treasure that requires patience to completely mine but doesn't seem like hard work. While other big releases of 2025 felt like feasting on scraps, Lux is a lavish banquet at which the guests at the table, some tipsy on holy drink, flit between conversations about ancient saints, the galvanizing feeling of soul-shattering grief, and shared stories about useless partners. It is a modern-day musical from music's most endlessly creative practitioner.
