Initially, Lux might appear more like a difficult university examination rather than a new pop album by a musician who just had a last single was a collaboration with an international K-pop icon. Split into 4 distinct sections and voiced in 13 languages, this is a dizzying classical-tinged work that delves into female mystery, spiritual transcendence, and corporal change, frequently through the prism of different women saints. The end of a romance—a theme treated with raw honesty elsewhere—soars heavenward here, carried by the constant presence of a major symphony orchestra and work from a Pulitzer-winning songwriter among a vast roll call of collaborators. Its sheer ambition by itself renders the work of other artists appear rather laughable.
Rising Above Academic Exercise
That this album succeeds in transcend overly intellectual chin-stroking feels nearly a miracle, with complete praise belonging to the artist. Although this is not the first time album to blend historical sounds and the present, its scale are far greater on Lux, and the tightrope walk far more pronounced. The element that truly elevates this fourth release, outside of its complex tunes, dense arrangements, and inherent theatricality, is a core spirit of fun. Similar to the iconic artist at her peak, you find a wondrous quality to the vocalist's singing that pulls the listener up in its whirlwind. When she is breaking your heart in two, you nevertheless desire to stay right there for the journey.
A Prime Example of Exuberance
This playful energy comes forth brightly on a stunning Italian song inspired by Saint Clare. It luxuriates in a sorrowful whirlpool over several minutes. Suddenly, all the music drops away, to reveal there's a gleeful laugh and a comment before a hilariously exaggerated orchestral surge crashes in like cartoonish impact. The track then segues into the frenetic track driven by racing strings, a powerful choir, and a cameo appearance from none other than herself.
"The charm of Lux lies in the listener never quite understand—or even wish to know—where you will go next."
Almost every song finishes in a completely distinct point than how it started. One moment explores the fleeting nature of celebrity over a featherlight orchestration before collapsing into digital cacophony. Elsewhere, a song that recalls her earlier rhythmic work begins out moody and sinister, featuring prowling vocals, until fluttering traditional handclaps and an angelic choir arrive to smooth its jagged edges.
The Balance Of Experiment and Pop
Another crucial achievement of the album involves navigating the gap of radical innovation and broad accessibility. This is little coincidence that the album has achieved her first release to crack the Top 5 of key markets: its heart contains a suite of truly undeniable pop songs. A song performed entirely in English builds around a chorus that seems to collect increasingly infectious hooks while it spins upward. This feat is echoed on a different expansive ballad that expands and constricts, weaving multiple melodies like a complex tapestry.
- A waltz-like song seduces with its playful, Disney-adjacent drama and a chant-along chorus.
- Lyrically, it aligns with pop culture impact of contemporary breakup anthems, eviscerating a former partner labeled an "emotional bully".
- Throughout the album, the vocals have a painted-on edge, akin to a fairy-tale figure concealing a knife: "Gold medal in being a motherfucker / You've won the trophy of letdown."
A Maximalist Feast for the Ears
This album represents popular music on a maximalist level, a hungry reach for high artistry in an era of looming AI-generated sameness. It eschews solipsism in favor of glorious elevation, crafting an over-the-top drama that masterfully controls its built-in ridiculousness. This is an abundant well of hidden gems that requires time to fully mine but doesn't feels like hard work. Where other big pop albums of 2025 seemed like feasting on scraps, Lux offers a sumptuous feast where the guests at it, perhaps tipsy on sacred drink, flit from discussions about ancient saints, the galvanizing feeling of soul-shattering sadness, and common gossip about hopeless partners. It is a modern-day theatrical production from music's truly restlessly creative practitioner.
