Rosalía’s LUX: A Sonic Scripture Across Languages
Rosalía’s fourth studio album, LUX, is a groundbreaking avant-garde project that spans four parts and 13 languages. Several choirs contribute to the album’s rich textures, helping it become a chart-topping, genre-defying work. The album blends desire, ruin, and divinity into a soundscape that reflects both vulnerability and artistic ambition.
One of the standout tracks, the flamenco ballad “La Yugular,” features a 1976 interview recording of punk icon Patti Smith. Rosalía sings of a love she would destroy hell for, while Smith encourages her to aim beyond conventional limits:
“Seven heavens? Big deal. I want to see the eighth heaven, tenth heaven, thousandth heaven. The thousandth heaven. You know, it’s like break on through the other side! It’s just like going through one door—one door isn’t enough. A million doors aren’t enough.”
Rosalía Meets Patti Smith
In a recent BBC 6 Music interview, Rosalía recalled her first encounter with Smith. Wearing a white dress, she nervously descended the stairs to meet the legendary artist. Rosalía described Smith as radiating light in her face, eyes, and smile.
Smith complimented her dress and spoke about the song, sparking an exchange that Rosalía called “one of the most beautiful things ever to meet her.” The encounter highlights the deep respect Rosalía holds for Smith, both as a musician and a visionary artist.
Patti Smith: Punk Legend and Artistic Visionary
Patti Smith’s influence spans music, writing, and visual arts. Her debut album Horses (1975) is a milestone in punk history, famously performed in front of luminaries like Andy Warhol, Robert Mapplethorpe, Sam Shepherd, and Anne Waldman.
Her memoir Just Kids (2010) chronicles her life with Mapplethorpe, detailing formative experiences in 1960s New York City and the avant-garde scene of Warhol’s Factory. Beyond music and writing, Smith has explored photography, drawing, and mixed media. Her first solo photography exhibition was held in 2011 at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, where she described each photo as “like a diary entry of my life.”
Last week, Smith released her newest memoir, Bread of Angels, adding another layer to her enduring cultural legacy.
The Intersection of LUX and Smith’s Legacy
By including Smith’s voice in La Yugular, Rosalía pays homage to a creative icon while expanding her own artistic narrative. LUX becomes a bridge between flamenco tradition and avant-garde experimentation, creating a unique space where desire, ruin, and transcendence coexist.
The collaboration is emblematic of Rosalía’s approach: drawing from history, culture, and personal encounters to craft music that is both globally resonant and deeply intimate.
Rosalía’s LUX is a monumental artistic achievement that intertwines flamenco, multiple languages, and the influence of icons like Patti Smith. Through the track “La Yugular” and her encounter with Smith, Rosalía channels a spirit of ambition and transcendence that defines the album. LUX is a must-listen for fans of avant-garde music and anyone captivated by the intersection of contemporary and classic artistic vision.
