Rosalía's Lux: A Bold, Orchestral Pop Masterpiece Lighting Up 2024

Rosalía, a singer from Barcelona, has quickly become one of the most influential Latin music stars since her debut in 2018. Known for her fearless approach to music, she constantly breaks traditions and experiments with new sounds. Her first major album, El Mal Querer, was actually her graduate thesis and blended Flamenco with R&B, creating a fresh and addictive style. Her next album, Motomami, released in 2022, pushed boundaries even further by mixing Latin genres like cumbia and reggaeton with hip-hop and pop. The lyrics explored themes of fame, self-discovery, and personal growth. Motomami was a massive success, topping charts and winning awards, including Album of the Year at the Latin Grammys. After her tour ended, fans eagerly awaited her next move.

Rosalía's new album, Lux, was released on Friday and marks a new chapter in her career. The album cover features her hugging herself while wearing a nun's headdress, symbolizing self-acceptance and spiritual longing. Lux stands apart from her previous work by drawing on her classical music education and collaborating with the London Symphony Orchestra. Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw contributed to the arrangements, making the album sound radical and unique. The lead single incorporates elements from Verdi's Dies Irae, with dramatic strings and a German chorus singing about fear and anger. Bjork makes a guest appearance, adding a mystical touch. Another standout track, Reliquia, transforms a chamber quartet into electronic patterns, with Rosalía reflecting on loving deeply and finding beauty in vulnerability. Madonna praised the album, calling Rosalía a visionary.

Lux was created over three years and reflects a period of change for Rosalía, both personally and professionally. During this time, she ended her engagement with reggaetón star Rauw Alejandro, switched managers, and took on her first major acting role in the TV show Euphoria. These experiences influenced the album's lyrics, especially in songs like La Perla, which addresses a painful breakup with sharp words but a playful melody. Focu 'Ranni, available only on CD and vinyl, tells the story of a bride who calls off her wedding, inspired by Saint Rosalia de Palermo. The album explores spiritual themes, with songs like Sauvignon Blanc expressing a desire to listen to God and let go of material things, and Divinize celebrating a sense of purpose. The closing track, Magnolias, gently accepts death and hopes for others to continue what she started. La Yagular celebrates the connection between people and the divine, ending with a recording of Patti Smith encouraging artists to break boundaries.

Rosalía studied 14 languages while making Lux, including Hebrew, Ukrainian, and French. She recommends listening to the album in a dark room with headphones, away from distractions like social media. Lux is a modern album with innovative production and operatic vocals, inspired by the writings of French philosopher Simone Weil. Despite its complexity, Rosalía manages to keep the music accessible and enjoyable. She says her goal is to have fun and always try new things, seeking extremes and opposites in her work. Lux is a bold and original album that rewards listeners who give it their full attention, proving Rosalía is one of the most creative artists of her generation.