At first glance, this album might appear closer to a difficult scholarly quiz rather than a new popular music album from an artist who just had a previous single featured a global pop star. Divided into 4 distinct movements and voiced in thirteen tongues, this is a dizzying classical-tinged opus exploring feminine mystery, religious transcendence, and physical transformation, often through the lens of various female saints. The end of a relationship—a topic treated with raw openness elsewhere—is launched skyward on this record, carried by the lush sound of a full orchestra and work from an award-winning composer within an extensive roll call of contributors. The pure daring by itself makes the efforts of other artists look rather small.
Transcending Academic Pretense
The fact that this album succeeds in avoid dry academic chin-stroking feels almost miraculous, and sole praise going to the artist. Although it's not her first project to blend the past and modern styles, the scale feel much greater here, with the balancing act more dramatic. The element that really elevates this fourth release, beyond its complex melodies, rich compositions, and inherent drama, proves to be an essential spirit of joy. Much like the legendary artist during her peak, there is a wondrous sense to the vocalist's voice that pulls the listener into its tornado. Even when she is tearing hearts in two, you nevertheless want to stay right there through the journey.
A Prime Example of Joy
This exuberant energy comes forth clearly during the stirring Italian song inspired by a saint. It bathes in a string-drenched whirlpool over several minutes. Then, everything falls away, to reveal there's a gleeful giggle followed by a comment before a hilariously exaggerated string surge thuds down like cartoonish force. The song immediately segues to the frenetic track driven by galloping strings, an imposing choir, and a cameo appearance from none other than Björk.
"The charm of Lux is that you rarely quite understand—nor want to know—where it will go next."
Nearly every track ends at a totally distinct point than how it started. One moment explores the transient nature of fame over a delicate orchestration before collapsing in electronic chaos. Another, a cut echoing her earlier rhythmic work begins out dark and sinister, featuring prowling vocals, until fluttering traditional rhythms and an angelic chorus enter to smooth its rough edges.
The Bridge Between Experiment and Pop
A key achievement of the album involves straddling the line between radical experimentation and broad accessibility. This is no surprise that the album has become the artist's first release to crack the upper reaches of major markets: its heart contains a collection of truly undeniable hits. A song performed primarily in the English language builds on a chorus that feels to gather increasingly infectious hooks as it spirals skyward. This feat is echoed on another powerful track that expands and constricts, intertwining multiple tunes like a complex tapestry.
- A dance-infused song seduces via its jaunty, theatrical flair and a chant-along chorus.
- Lyrically, it shares with pop culture impact of other breakup anthems, lambasting an ex- lover labeled an "psychological bully".
- Across the album, the vocals carry a painted-on edge, akin to a fairy-tale figure concealing a blade: "Top prize in being a scoundrel / You have the podium of disappointment."
A Maximalist Banquet for the Soul
Lux is popular music on a grand level, a hungry reach for high Art amid of impending artificial sameness. It eschews self-absorption in favor of glorious transcendence, creating an over-the-top spectacle that skillfully manages its own inherent excess. This is a deep well of hidden treasure that requires patience to completely explore but never feels like hard work. While some big pop albums of the year seemed like a meager scraps, Lux offers a lavish banquet where the guests at the table, some intoxicated on sacred drink, flit between conversations about historical figures, the galvanizing sensation of soul-shattering grief, and common gossip about useless men. In essence, it's a modern-day theatrical production from pop's most restlessly creative practitioner.
