At first glance, Lux may look more like a difficult university quiz rather than a new pop project from an artist whose previous single was a collaboration with an international pop star. Broken into 4 separate parts and performed in 13 tongues, this is a breathtaking symphonic opus investigating feminine mystery, religious ascent, and physical transformation, often via the prism of different saintly figures. The end of a romance—a theme handled with raw openness elsewhere—is shot skyward on this record, buoyed by the lush sound of a major symphony orchestra and contributions from a Pulitzer-winning composer within a long list of contributors. Its sheer daring alone makes the efforts of other artists appear rather laughable.
Rising Above Scholarly Pretense
That Lux succeeds in escape dry academic posturing feels nearly a miracle, and complete praise going to the artist. Although it's not the first time album to fuse historical sounds and modern styles, the stakes are far higher on Lux, with the tightrope walk far more pronounced. The element that truly raises this fourth release, outside of its complex melodies, dense compositions, and engrained drama, proves to be a core sense of playfulness. Similar to the iconic Björk at her peak, there is a captivating sense to the vocalist's singing which sweeps the listener into its tornado. Even when she is breaking hearts apart, the listener still desire to stay alongside her through the journey.
A Signature Moment of Exuberance
This playful spirit shines brightly during a stunning piano-led song inspired by Saint Clare. It bathes in a sorrowful whirlpool over several moments. Suddenly, all the music drops away, to reveal we hear a spontaneous laugh and a declaration before a hilariously over-the-top orchestral crescendo crashes down like comedic force. The track immediately segues into the frenetic single driven by galloping strings, a powerful choir, and a surprise role from none other than herself.
"The charm of Lux lies in the listener rarely quite understand—nor wish to predict—where you is going next."
Almost every track concludes at a completely distinct point than how it began. One moment explores the transient nature of celebrity with a featherlight symphony before collapsing into digital cacophony. Elsewhere, a song that recalls her earlier rhythmic style begins off moody and sinister, with prowling vocals, before fluttering traditional handclaps and a heavenly choir enter to soften the song's rough corners.
The Bridge Of Experiment & Pop
A key achievement of Lux involves straddling the gap between bold innovation and mainstream appeal. This is no coincidence that the album has become the artist's first release to crack the upper reaches of key charts: its heart contains a suite of truly catchy hits. A song sung entirely in the English language builds on a chorus that seems to gather more and more nagging hooks while it spins upward. This feat is repeated on another powerful ballad that grows and constricts, weaving multiple melodies as an intricate weave.
- A waltz-like song charms via its playful, Disney-adjacent drama and an anthemic chorus.
- In its words, it shares the pop culture honesty of other heartbreak anthems, eviscerating an ex- lover described as an "emotional terrorist".
- Across the album, the vocals carry a sharp smile, akin to a fairy-tale figure hiding a blade: "Gold medal in being a scoundrel / You have won the trophy of disappointment."
An Opulent Feast for the Soul
Lux represents popular music on a maximalist scale, a hungry reach for capital-A artistry amid of impending artificial sameness. It rejects solipsism in favor of sublime transcendence, creating a dramatic drama that masterfully manages its built-in ridiculousness. This is an abundant well of hidden treasure that requires time to completely explore but never feels like hard work. While some big releases of the year seemed like a meager meal, this record offers a sumptuous banquet at which the characters around the table, perhaps tipsy on sacred drink, flit from conversations about ancient saints, the galvanizing feeling of heartbreaking sadness, and shared gossip about useless men. It is a contemporary theatrical production from music's truly restlessly creative visionary.
