Rosalía's new album, LUX, created in collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra and conductor Daníel Bjarnason, connects centuries of musical allure. The album draws parallels between the past and present, blending classical and contemporary influences.
Before the Beatlemania era, there was Lisztomania; before today's club dancing, people waltzed in beer halls and sang passionate operas. Although emotions are universal, musical tastes change: a 3/4 waltz was once the height of sensuality before the dominant 4/4 rhythm took over for centuries.
LUX reflects Rosalía's personal spirituality, shaped by her Catholic upbringing, classical philosophy, new age beliefs, Islam, and her unique relationship with God. The album continuously dialogues with popular music and ideas from history.
Philosophically and structurally, LUX resonates with Mozart’s Don Giovanni, the story of a mischievous nobleman often called Don Juan. In the opera, Don Giovanni escapes peril multiple times but ultimately faces an unstoppable force. After his descent into Hell, the chorus declares:
“Questo è il fin di chi fa mal, e de’ perfidi la morte alla vita è sempre ugual.”
“This is the end of one who does evil, and for the wicked, death is like life.”
Similarly, LUX places Rosalía and her characters in moral jeopardy, concluding with a profound reflection on human existence and mortality.
LUX masterfully intertwines historical musical styles and spiritual themes, offering a deep, personal exploration of morality and human experience across time.