Rosalía – ‘Lux’ review: an arresting album of astonishing scope and ambition
Rosalía’s fourth album, Lux, takes a bold new direction by blending operatic elements, orchestral movements, and vibrant electronic sounds. The Spanish artist continuously pushes creative boundaries.
Since her 2017 debut album Los Ángeles, where she reimagined centuries-old flamenco cantes for the modern era, Rosalía has evolved her style remarkably. Her 2018 follow-up, El Mal Querer, served as her baccalaureate thesis and offered a contemporary twist on Andalusian music, fusing it with pop and hip-hop. In 2022, Motomami reflected her journey through Latin America, merging reggaeton with experimental electronics to craft her unique sound.
At 33, Rosalía’s latest work may be her most daring yet. Lux explores not just new musical realms but also metaphysical themes, bridging Earth with celestial realms. She sings in 13 languages, including Japanese, Arabic, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Latin, and Sicilian. Over a year, she refined the lyrics, initially using Google Translate and then collaborating with professional translators to ensure natural yet musically fitting phrasing.
The album’s concept draws inspiration from [translate: житія святих], stories of female saints and saint-like figures from diverse global cultures and religions, illustrating her deep artistic immersion.
"Rosalía has never been short of creativity."
"[Lux] contains not just whole worlds, but astral planes, bridging the gap between Earth and whatever you believe heaven to be."
Author's summary: Rosalía’s Lux showcases her boundless creativity, blending global languages and spiritual themes into a richly ambitious and genre-defying musical journey.
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