On the surface, this work might appear more like a difficult university examination rather than a new pop project from a musician whose last hit was a collaboration with an international K-pop star. Broken across 4 separate movements and performed in thirteen tongues, this is a dizzying classical-tinged work exploring feminine mystery, religious ascent, and corporal change, frequently by way of the lens of different women saints. The dissolution of a relationship—a theme handled with raw honesty elsewhere—is launched upwards on this record, supported by the constant presence of a major orchestra and contributions from a Pulitzer-winning composer within an extensive roll call of contributors. Its sheer daring by itself makes the work of contemporary pop stars appear rather modest.
Rising Above Scholarly Exercise
The fact that Lux manages to transcend dry academic chin-stroking is nothing short of miraculous, with full credit going to the artist. Although it's not her first album to blend historical sounds and the present, the stakes are much greater here, and the tightrope walk far more pronounced. The element that really raises her fourth album, beyond its complex melodies, rich arrangements, and engrained theatricality, proves to be a core sense of playfulness. Much like the iconic artist at her height, there is a captivating sense to the vocalist's singing which sweeps you into its tornado. Even when she's breaking hearts in two, the listener still want to be right there for the ride.
A Prime Moment of Joy
This exuberant spirit comes forth clearly on the stirring piano-led song inspired by a saint. It luxuriates in a string-drenched whirlpool over more than four minutes. Then, everything drops silent, and we hear a spontaneous giggle and a declaration before a comically exaggerated orchestral surge thuds down with cartoonish impact. The song then segues to the wild single driven by galloping orchestration, a powerful choir, and a cameo appearance from none other than herself.
"The charm of Lux lies in you never quite understand—nor wish to predict—what it is going next."
Almost every song finishes at a completely distinct point from how it started. One moment explores the transient nature of fame with a featherlight symphony before collapsing into electronic cacophony. Another, a cut that recalls her previous trap-infused work begins out dark and brooding, featuring menacing beats, before fluttering traditional handclaps and an angelic choir enter to smooth the song's rough edges.
The Bridge Between Art & Pop
A key achievement of Lux involves straddling the line of radical experimentation and mainstream accessibility. It is little surprise that it has become the artist's first work to break into the upper reaches of key charts: at its core a collection of utterly catchy pop songs. One track performed entirely in the English language builds around a refrain that feels to gather more and more nagging hooks as it spins skyward. That trick is echoed by a different powerful track that expands and contracts, weaving multiple tunes as an intricate weave.
- A dance-infused number charms with its jaunty, theatrical flair and a chant-along chorus.
- Lyrically, it shares the pop culture honesty of contemporary breakup songs, lambasting a former lover labeled an "psychological bully".
- Throughout these tracks, the singing carry a painted-on edge, like a fairy-tale figure hiding a blade: "Top prize in acting like a motherfucker / You've won the trophy of disappointment."
A Maximalist Feast for the Ears
This album represents pop on a maximalist level, an ambitious reach for high artistry in an era of looming artificial sameness. It eschews solipsism in favor of sublime elevation, creating a dramatic drama that skillfully manages its built-in excess. It is an abundant well of buried gems that takes patience to completely explore but doesn't feels like a chore. While some major pop albums of the year felt like a meager meal, this record offers a sumptuous feast at which the guests around it, some tipsy on holy drink, flutter between conversations about ancient saints, the galvanizing feeling of soul-shattering grief, and shared stories about hopeless partners. In essence, it's a modern-day theatrical production from pop's truly endlessly creative visionary.
