Rosalía's 'Lux' Album Explores Spiritual Mysticism

Rosalía's fourth album, Lux, has generated widespread discussion regarding a perceived shift toward spiritual themes in modern music. The album was revealed on October 20 in Madrid's Callao square, displaying a cover image of the artist in white attire and a nun's veil. The project is organized into four movements that depict a journey from the earthly to the divine, relying heavily on the writings of women mystics from different eras and regions.

The album features lyrics sung in 13 different languages, citing figures such as the 12th-century German polymath Hildegarda de Bingen and the 20th-century French philosopher Simone Weil. This thematic concentration on spirituality corresponds with a wider trend in current literature, highlighted by the mention of recommended readings on mysticism and devotion within the source text.

The release of Lux has triggered a notable conversation regarding a pivot toward mysticism in the entertainment industry. The album's cover was unveiled on October 20 via a counter projected in the Callao square in Madrid, which reached zero to reveal the artwork. The cover depicts a stark portrait of the artist dressed in immaculate white, wearing a restraint device and a nun's head covering.

Following this reveal, the promotional campaign for the album was described as prolonged and tumultuous. The visual and thematic architecture of the project is centered on a spiritual ascent, moving from the profane to the sacred. The album is reportedly divided into four distinct movements that guide the listener through a transcendent journey.

The core of Lux is anchored in the thoughts and works of women mystics from various historical periods and origins. The album draws from a diverse range of spiritual traditions, creating a transcendent experience that spans from the earth to the sky. These influences are not merely thematic but are woven directly into the lyrical content of the songs.

Specific figures cited in the source material include:

• Hildegarda de Bingen, a 12th-century German polymath
• Simone Weil, a 20th-century French philosopher
• Rabia al Adawiyya, an 8th-century Sufi mystic
• Sri Anandamayi Ma, a 20th-century Hindu saint

The album features texts sung in 13 different languages, reflecting the global nature of these spiritual influences. This multilingual approach underscores the project's ambition to traverse different cultural and religious boundaries in its exploration of the divine.

The spiritual hunger present in Lux mirrors a similar trend in contemporary literature. The source material highlights a selection of recent books that explore themes of mysticism, devotion, and transcendence. These readings provide context for the album's thematic concerns, suggesting a cultural moment preoccupied with the search for deeper meaning.

Recommended readings mentioned in the context of the album include:

• Devoción by Pablo D’Ors, published by Galaxia Gutenberg
• Misticismo by Simon Critchley, published by Sexto Piso
• Místicas by Begoña Méndez, published by Wunderkammer
• Los alados by Elisabet Riera
• La mirada interior by Victoria Cirlot and Blanca Garí

These titles illustrate the breadth of the current literary interest in the mystical, ranging from essays to novels. The connection between the album and these texts suggests that Rosalía's work is part of a larger artistic movement exploring spiritual transcendence.