On the surface, this album might appear more like a difficult academic challenge than a new popular music album by a musician whose last hit was a collaboration with a global K-pop icon. Split across four distinct parts and performed in 13 tongues, it is a dizzying orchestral-influenced work investigating feminine mystery, spiritual transcendence, and corporal change, frequently through the lens of various women saints. The dissolution of a relationship—a topic treated with grounded honesty elsewhere—soars upwards here, buoyed by the constant sound of a major symphony orchestra and contributions from an award-winning composer within a long list of collaborators. Its sheer daring by itself renders the work of contemporary artists seem rather modest.
Rising Above Academic Exercise
The fact that Lux manages to transcend overly academic chin-stroking feels nearly miraculous, with sole credit belonging to the artist. While it's not the first time album to alchemize the past with modern styles, the stakes are far greater on Lux, and the balancing act more dramatic. What really elevates her fourth release, outside of its complex tunes, dense compositions, and inherent theatricality, is a core sense of fun. Similar to the iconic Björk during her height, you find a wondrous sense to the vocalist's voice which sweeps you up in its whirlwind. Even when she is tearing hearts in two, you still want to stay right there through the journey.
A Prime Example of Joy
That exuberant spirit comes forth brightly during the stunning Italian ballad inspired by a saint. It bathes in a string-drenched whirlpool for more than four minutes. Then, all the music falls silent, to reveal we hear a spontaneous laugh and a comment prior to a hilariously over-the-top orchestral crescendo crashes down like comedic force. The song then segues to the wild track featuring galloping orchestration, an imposing choral group, and a surprise role from none other than Björk.
"The charm of Lux lies in the listener never quite know—nor want to predict—what it is going next."
Nearly each song ends in a completely distinct place from where it began. A track examines the transient trappings of celebrity over a featherlight orchestration before disintegrating in electronic cacophony. Elsewhere, a song echoing the artist's previous trap-infused work starts off moody and sinister, with prowling beats, before fluttering traditional handclaps and an angelic choir arrive to smooth its jagged corners.
The Balance Of Experiment & Accessibility
Another crucial balancing act on the album is navigating the gap of bold experimentation and mainstream appeal. This is little surprise that it has become her highest-charting work to crack the upper reaches of key charts: its heart contains a collection of utterly catchy pop songs. One track sung entirely in the English language swells around a chorus that feels to gather more and more nagging melodies as it spirals upward. This feat is echoed on another powerful track that expands and contracts, weaving layered melodies like an intricate tapestry.
- A waltz-like song charms via its jaunty, theatrical drama and an anthemic chorus.
- Lyrically, it shares with cultural honesty of other breakup songs, lambasting an ex- lover labeled an "emotional bully".
- Throughout these tracks, the singing have a painted-on edge, like a storybook character hiding a knife: "Top prize in being a motherfucker / You have won the trophy of letdown."
A Maximalist Banquet for the Ears
This album represents popular music on a maximalist level, an ambitious reach for high Art in an era of looming artificial blankness. It eschews self-absorption for glorious elevation, creating a dramatic drama that masterfully manages its built-in ridiculousness. It is an abundant source of hidden treasure that requires patience to fully explore but doesn't feels like hard work. While other major releases of the year felt like feasting on meal, Lux is a lavish banquet at which the guests at the table, perhaps tipsy on sacred wine, flit from discussions about historical saints, the galvanizing feeling of heartbreaking grief, and shared stories about hopeless men. It is a contemporary theatrical production from music's truly restlessly creative practitioner.
