The Spanish star Rosalía looks forward, not back, delivering an album that is thrilling, baffling, and splendidly spooky. In a year when music largely embraced nostalgia—Oasis with their overpriced bucket hats, Radiohead returning as a conventional band, and yet another Beatles documentary—Rosalía’s Lux stands out boldly.
This album breaks free from rock’n’roll’s hold on sentimentality, offering something fearless, confrontational, and unconventional. The cover features Rosalía dressed as a nun, symbolizing her commitment to a new artistic path without hesitation.
With three prior albums exploring flamenco, electronica, and reggaeton, Rosalía has gained major fame, especially in the Spanish-speaking world. However, Lux shatters all expectations, venturing deeply into experimental music’s realms.
“That this is something other than just another pop LP is signalled on the cover, where the Catalan artist is dressed as a nun, as if to announce that she has embarked on a new path and isn’t for turning.”
Her work on this album marks her as a successor to Björk, who even features on the eccentric single “Berghain,” passing the creative baton.
“If 2025 will be remembered for anything, it will be as the year music went backwards... The gravitational pull of rock’n’roll’s yesteryears has become a crushing negative energy.”
By contrast, Lux is a refreshing leap into new musical frontiers.
Rosalía’s Lux boldly breaks from nostalgic trends, showcasing fearless experimental sounds and marking a transformative new chapter in her career.