Initially, this work could seem more like a difficult university challenge rather than a new popular music record by an artist whose previous single featured a global pop icon. Split across 4 separate sections and sung in thirteen tongues, it is a dizzying classical-tinged opus exploring feminine mystery, religious ascent, and corporal transformation, often by way of the lens of different women saints. The dissolution of a relationship—a theme handled with grounded openness elsewhere—is launched skyward on this record, buoyed by the constant sound of a major symphony orchestra and contributions from an award-winning songwriter within a vast list of contributors. Its sheer ambition by itself makes the work of other pop stars look rather modest.
Transcending Academic Pretense
That Lux manages to transcend overly intellectual chin-stroking is nothing short of miraculous, and full praise belonging to the artist. Although it's not the first time album to alchemize historical sounds and modern styles, its ambitions are much higher here, with the balancing act more dramatic. What really raises her fourth album, beyond its complex tunes, rich arrangements, and engrained drama, proves to be a core sense of playfulness. Similar to the legendary Björk at her peak, there is a wondrous sense to the vocalist's voice that pulls the listener into its tornado. When she's tearing hearts in two, you still want to be right there through the journey.
A Signature Example of Exuberance
That playful spirit shines brightly on a stunning Italian song inspired by Saint Clare. It luxuriates in a sorrowful melancholy for more than four minutes. Then, all the music falls away, and there's a spontaneous giggle followed by a declaration before a comically exaggerated orchestral surge thuds in like cartoonish force. The track then shifts to the frenetic single featuring galloping strings, an imposing choir, and a surprise role from none other than Björk.
"The magic with Lux is that you rarely quite understand—nor want to predict—what you is going to next."
Almost every song ends in a completely different place from where it started. A track examines the fleeting trappings of fame over a delicate orchestration only to disintegrating in electronic cacophony. Elsewhere, a cut that recalls the artist's earlier rhythmic style begins out moody and brooding, with menacing vocals, before fluttering traditional rhythms and a heavenly chorus enter to soften the song's rough edges.
The Bridge Between Experiment & Pop
Another crucial balancing act of Lux involves navigating the line between radical innovation and broad appeal. This is no coincidence that it has become her highest-charting release to break into the Top 5 of key markets: at its core a suite of utterly undeniable pop songs. A song sung entirely in English swells around a chorus that feels to collect increasingly infectious hooks while it spirals skyward. This trick gets repeated by a different powerful ballad that expands and constricts, intertwining multiple tunes like a complex tapestry.
- A waltz-like number charms with its jaunty, theatrical flair and a chant-along chorus.
- In its words, it shares with pop culture impact of other breakup songs, eviscerating an ex- lover described as an "emotional bully".
- Throughout the album, the singing have a sharp smile, like a fairy-tale figure hiding a knife: "Gold medal in being a motherfucker / You've the podium of letdown."
An Opulent Feast for the Ears
This album is popular music on a grand level, an ambitious reach for high Art amid of impending artificial blankness. It rejects self-absorption in favor of sublime transcendence, creating an over-the-top drama that skillfully controls its own inherent ridiculousness. This is an abundant source of buried gems that requires time to completely explore but never feels like hard work. While some big pop albums of the year felt like a meager meal, Lux is a sumptuous banquet where the guests at the table, perhaps intoxicated on holy drink, flutter from conversations about ancient saints, the profound feeling of soul-shattering sadness, and shared stories about useless partners. It is a contemporary musical from music's truly restlessly creative practitioner.
