Rosalía – ‘Lux’ review: an arresting album of astonishing scope and ambition
Rosalía’s fourth album, Lux, takes a bold turn, blending operatic elements, orchestral movements, and vibrant electronics. The Spanish artist continues to evolve, showcasing her hallmark creativity.
On her 2017 debut, Los Ángeles, she updated centuries-old flamenco cantes for the modern era. Her 2018 follow-up, El Mal Querer, combined Andalusian traditions with pop and hip-hop. In 2022, Motomami explored Latin American influences, merging reggaeton with experimental electronics.
At 33, her latest album may be her most ambitious yet. Lux presents entire worlds and astral realms, bridging Earth and the divine. The Spanish star sings in 13 languages, including Japanese, Arabic, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Latin, and Sicilian.
She spent a year refining lyrics, initially using Google Translate, then collaborating with professional translators to ensure the lines felt natural and musical. The album’s concept draws from hagiographies, inspired by stories of female saints and similar figures from various religions and cultures worldwide.
Rosalía immerses herself in hagiographies, inspired by stories of female saints – or figures comparable to saints in other religions and cultures – from across the globe.
Summary: Lux is a groundbreaking album that fuses diverse musical styles and languages, reflecting Rosalía’s deep creative growth and global cultural inspirations.
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