LUX, the fourth studio album by Spanish singer Rosalía, is one of the most ambitious and transformative releases of her career. Released on November 7, 2025, through Columbia Records, this album marks a radical departure from her acclaimed previous album Motomami (2022), moving away from urban and electronic sounds toward a symphonic, operatic, and deeply spiritual style.
A Monumental Project
LUX is an exceptional work that challenges contemporary pop conventions. The album was recorded alongside the London Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Daniel Bjarnason, with arrangements by the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw. The collaboration between Rosalía and Shaw, who previously worked on Motomami, resulted in a unique fusion blending choral segments with Rosalía’s own melodic decisions.
The album is divided into four movements—in the style of a classical symphony—and features 18 songs on physical editions (vinyl and CD), while digital versions include 15 tracks. The three exclusive tracks on physical formats are “Focu ‘ranni”, “Jeanne”, and “Novia Robot”, which has sparked high interest among collectors.
A Multilingual Work
One of the most remarkable aspects of LUX is its linguistic ambition. Rosalía sings in 14 different languages, including Spanish, Catalan, English, Latin, Italian, Sicilian, German, Arabic, Ukrainian, Japanese, Mandarin, Hebrew, French, and Portuguese. This artistic choice reflects her desire to explore how different languages express universal emotions. She described the process as intuitive, learning to write and figure out how lyrics sound in other languages.
This multilingual approach naturally stems from her flamenco training, where she spent years meticulously studying every note and melisma.
Star Collaborations
The album boasts an impressive list of collaborators enhancing the artistic scope:
- Björk and Yves Tumor appear in “Berghain“, the album’s lead single. This operatic piece, sung in German, Spanish, and English, has been described as a cinematic journey balancing intimacy and grandeur.
- Yahritza y su Esencia, a Mexican sierreño music trio, feature on “La Perla,” a viral song that gathered 4.5 million streams on its first day.
- Portuguese fado singer Carminho appears on “Memória.”
- Flamenco singers Estrella Morente and Sílvia Pérez Cruz collaborate on “La Rumba del Perdón.”
Other contributors include the Chamber Choir of the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Montserrat Escolania boys’ choir.
Themes: Feminine Mysticism and Spirituality
The album’s title, LUX (Latin for “light”), explores an emotional journey centered on feminine mysticism, transformation, and transcendence. Inspired by hagiographies of saints from various cultures, including Joan of Arc, Olga of Kiev, Hildegard of Bingen, and Sun Bu’er, LUX is described as a search for meaning in the doomscrolling era.
Lyrics such as the Latin phrase “Ego sum nihil / Ego sum lux mundi” (“I am nothing / I am the light of the world”) seen in “Porcelana,” encapsulate the contrast between human insignificance and divine light.
Rosalía explains that while religious iconography is abundant, the focus is more on personal mysticism rooted in her grandmother’s teachings rather than institutional religion.
Critical Reception: An Artistic Triumph
Critics worldwide praised LUX for its boldness and vision.
- Rolling Stone Brazil gave it 5 out of 5 stars, calling it “one of the most daring and notable albums produced by any pop artist in recent memory.”
- Variety said Rosalía “challenges and wins with a decisive step towards radical reinvention.”
- The BBC described it as “radical and riveting,” questioning if it could be the best album of the year.
- The Independent called it “a masterpiece ruminating on mortality, sanctity, faith, and heartache.”
- GQ Magazine praised it as charting a new course for pop in today’s era of stylistic homage.
This is an album that demands full attention and multiple listens, rewarding listeners with a sense of transcendence.
- 42.3 million streams on Spotify during its first day, more than double the streams of Motomami.
- The debut set a historic record for a Spanish-speaking artist on the platform.
- All 15 album songs debuted on Spotify’s Daily Global Chart.
- The songs “La Perla” and “Berghain” reached the top 10 with millions of streams.
The album was created over three years marked by significant personal changes for Rosalía. She ended her engagement with Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Rauw Alejandro in July 2023, which inspired some of the album’s rawest lyrics.
Rosalía served as the executive producer, collaborating with renowned producers such as Noah Goldstein (famous for work with Kanye West and Frank Ocean), Dylan Wiggins, Elliott Kozel, David Rodríguez, and Jake Miller. Caroline Shaw contributed as producer and arranger on key tracks.
The operatic and orchestral sound of LUX is grounded in Rosalía’s classical training at the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (ESMUC), where she studied flamenco singing for nine years. This rigorous vocal training enabled her to confidently undertake the complex demands of the album.
Discography Legacy
LUX complements Rosalía’s previous groundbreaking albums:
- Los Ángeles(2017) – Pure flamenco debut
- El Mal Querer (2018) – Flamenco experimental that won Latin Grammys and a Grammy
- Motomami (2022) – Urban pop fusion acclaimed for redefining Latin music
With LUX, Rosalía shows her refusal to repeat formulas, pushing musical boundaries boldly into new realms.
There are no official touring plans announced yet. The album will be eligible for Grammy Awards in 2027 and Latin Grammys in 2026, with anticipation high after Rosalía’s multiple previous nominations and wins.
LUX redefines pop music in 2025 as Rosalía creates a sonic cathedral blending flamenco, opera, symphony, experimental electronic, and world music traditions. It invites listeners to immerse fully in a world of light, mysticism, and spiritual transformation.
Rolling Stone Brazil sums it up: “LUX is Rosalía saying, ‘I am free to create as I please, and you will follow.’ When an artist builds a cathedral in unexpected places, all we can do is enter, kneel, and thank the light that shines.”
We acknowledge The European Times for the information.
