As the first notes of “Sexo, Violencia y Llantas” — the first track on Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalía’s new album “LUX” — begin to play, the soft classical piano and rich strings make it instantly clear that the album is no classic pop jam; instead, it’s a modern-day symphony with operatic elements and pop influences. Rosalía merges musical genres, languages and spiritual inspiration into a luxurious listening experience in “LUX,” released on Nov. 7.
Rosalía is known for her experimental and constantly-evolving music style, as shown by projects like her 2018 album “El mal querer,” which blended flamenco with pop and hip-hop. With roots in Spanish folk music, “LUX” extends her fusion of classical and pop genres.
A central theme in “LUX” is chaos and the beauty of contradictions working in harmony, a concept reflected in the musical production and the lyricism. In “Porcelana,” string symphonies and operatic vocals cut through electronic synths and catchy pop melodies, while in “La Rumba Del Perdón,” traditional Spanish and flamenco roots are paired alongside classical instrumentation.
Rosalía translates this theme to her lyrics as well. From singing in 13 different languages, including Japanese and Ukrainian, to referencing Catholicism, she explores her personal and complex interpretation of divinity. Catholic imagery is embedded throughout the album, from the Catholic veil she wears on the album cover to the biblical references in the music video of lead single “Berghain.”
Faith also reflects heavily in the album’s lyricism. On “Berghain,” she collaborates with fellow avant-garde musicians Björk and Yves Tumor. Björk sings, “The only way to save us is through divine intervention.” In that same song, Yves Tumor recites, “I’ll f*ck you ‘til you love me” until the music fades. The combination of these themes is jarring yet alluring, creating a chaotic sound that reflects Rosalía’s chaotic world.
This intersection of holy divinity and earthly sensuality is reflected throughout the album. In “Divinize,” she compares femininity to the biblical forbidden fruit, singing, “Through my body, you can see the light.” In “Sexo, Violencia y Llantas,” she laments on the contradictory nature of divinity, singing Spanish lyrics that translate to, “In the first, sex, violence and tires / Bloodshed, coins in throats / In the second, flashes, doves and saints / Gracе, the fruit and the weight of thе scales.”
While the emphasis on polarity and chaos in the musical production can be jarring, Rosalía uses high-quality production to make it work. The musical variety is attention-grabbing, unpredictable and creates a dramatic harmony of style and melodies.
“LUX” is one massive, palpable symphony of beautiful chaos, from the musical production to the lyricism. Rather than being distracting, this duality makes it so that one can’t turn away from the album for even a second. The jarring contrasts and smooth merges are a reflection of Rosalía’s own complex thoughts and emotions regarding divinity. In listening to “LUX”, we are able to absorb this complexity, which fuels an introspective and captivating masterpiece.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Viking helmets
