At first glance, Lux could seem more like a challenging university examination rather than the latest popular music album from an artist whose previous hit featured a global pop icon. Divided into 4 different parts and voiced in 13 tongues, we have a breathtaking symphonic work that delves into female mystery, spiritual ascent, and physical transformation, often via the perspective of various female saints. The end of a love affair—a topic treated with raw honesty elsewhere—soars heavenward here, buoyed by the constant sound of a major orchestra and work from a Pulitzer-winning composer within an extensive roll call of contributors. The pure audacity by itself renders the work of other artists look quite small.
Rising Above Academic Pretense
The fact that Lux manages to escape overly intellectual posturing feels nothing short of miraculous, with complete credit going to the artist. While it's not her first project to fuse historical sounds with the present, the ambitions are far greater here, with the tightrope walk more precarious. What truly raises her fourth album, beyond its complex tunes, dense compositions, and engrained drama, proves to be an essential spirit of playfulness. Similar to the iconic artist at her peak, there is a captivating sense to the vocalist's voice which sweeps the listener into its whirlwind. Even when she's tearing hearts in two, the listener still want to be right there for the ride.
A Signature Moment of Exuberance
This playful spirit shines brightly on the stunning Italian ballad inspired by Saint Clare. It luxuriates in a sorrowful melancholy over several minutes. Suddenly, everything drops silent, and we hear a spontaneous laugh followed by a declaration before a comically over-the-top string crescendo crashes in with cartoonish force. The song then shifts into the frenetic single featuring racing strings, an imposing choir, and a cameo role from none other than herself.
"The magic with Lux is that the listener never exactly know—or even want to predict—what it will go to next."
Nearly every track concludes in a completely distinct place from how it began. A track examines the transient nature of celebrity over a delicate orchestration before disintegrating in electronic chaos. Elsewhere, a song that recalls the artist's earlier rhythmic work begins off moody and brooding, with prowling beats, before fluttering flamenco handclaps and an angelic choir enter to soften its rough edges.
The Balance Of Experiment and Accessibility
A key balancing act of Lux is navigating the gap between bold experimentation and broad appeal. This is little coincidence that the album has achieved her first release to crack the upper reaches of major markets: its heart contains a collection of utterly catchy pop songs. A song performed primarily in the English language builds around a chorus that seems to collect increasingly infectious melodies while it spirals upward. This feat is repeated by a different expansive track that grows and constricts, intertwining layered melodies like an intricate weave.
- A dance-infused number charms with its playful, theatrical drama and an anthemic hook.
- Lyrically, it shares the cultural impact of contemporary breakup songs, eviscerating a former lover described as an "emotional bully".
- Throughout these tracks, the vocals carry a painted-on edge, like a fairy-tale character concealing a blade: "Gold medal in acting like a motherfucker / You have won the trophy of disappointment."
An Opulent Banquet for the Ears
Lux is pop on a maximalist level, a hungry reach for capital-A artistry in an era of impending AI-generated blankness. It eschews self-absorption in favor of sublime elevation, crafting a dramatic spectacle that skillfully controls its built-in excess. It is an abundant well of hidden treasure that requires time to completely mine but never feels like a chore. While some major releases of the year felt like feasting on scraps, this record is a lavish banquet where the guests at it, perhaps intoxicated on holy drink, flutter between conversations about historical saints, the galvanizing sensation of heartbreaking sadness, and shared stories about hopeless partners. It is a modern-day theatrical production from pop's most restlessly creative visionary.
