Rosalía’s Lux Album Addresses Female Saints and Spirituality in 14 Languages

Catalan artist Rosalía Vila Tobella released her fourth studio album Lux on November 7, 2025, through Columbia Records. The album features 14 languages and explores historical female saints across different religious traditions. Rosalía spent over two years researching saints, collaborating with native speakers, and recording with the London Symphony Orchestra.^[1][2][3]

Album Musical Specifications and Production Details

Lux contains 18 tracks across four movements, featuring Spanish, Catalan, English, Latin, Sicilian, Ukrainian, Arabic, German, Hebrew, French, Mandarin, Italian, Japanese, and Portuguese. Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw composed orchestral arrangements, with conductor Daníel Bjarnason leading the London Symphony Orchestra.^[4][5][6][7]

Key Collaborators and Production Credits

Rosalía produced approximately 97 percent of instrumental arrangements. Björk appears on “Berghain,” while Patti Smith provides spoken-word contributions. Guest vocalists include Carminho, Estrella Morente, and Silvia Pérez Cruz, with the Escolania de Montserrat and L’Orfeó Català choirs participating.^{[8][9][10][11]}

Language Composition and Recording Locations

The 14 languages represent:

1. Spanish.
2. Catalan.
3. English.
4. Latin.
5. Sicilian.
6. Ukrainian.
7. Arabic.
8. German.
9. Hebrew.
10. French.
11. Mandarin.
12. Italian.
13. Japanese.
14. Portuguese.

Recording locations included France, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States (2023-2025).^[12][13]

Historical Saints and Thematic Framework

The album draws inspiration from saints across different religious traditions, emphasizing how various cultures conceptualize female sainthood.^[14]

Hildegard of Bingen and Spiritual Visions

Hildegard (1098-1179) was a German Benedictine abbess known for theological writings and visionary experiences. Medical historians suggest her sensory descriptions may indicate migraine with aura, though she interpreted these as divine visions. Pope Benedict XVI canonized her in 2012, recognizing her theological significance. The lead single “Berghain” draws direct inspiration from her life.^{[15][16][17][18][19]}

Saint Olga of Kyiv and Religious Conversion

Olga (approximately 890-969) ruled as regent after her husband Igor’s assassination. Historical chronicles document her military campaigns against the Drevlians, the tribe responsible for Igor’s death. She subsequently converted to Orthodox Christianity, making her conversion politically significant for Christianizing Kyivan Rus. Both Orthodox and Catholic churches recognize her sainthood, establishing the album’s central paradox: how violence and spiritual redemption intersect in canonization processes.^{[20][21][22][23][24]}

Professional Reception and Critical Response

Rolling Stone awarded Lux five stars, calling it “her most astonishing offer yet.” The Associated Press gave 4.5 stars, describing it as a “phonetic miracle.” NPR noted the album “pulls the entire world into her symphony through its multilingual composition.”^[25][26][27]

Personal Experiences and Creative Process

Rosalía underwent vocal cord surgery at age 17, unable to speak or sing for one year. At age 19, she completed the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage as a solo traveler, reinforcing her conviction that overcoming obstacles builds future capacity. Her research methodology involved placing a world map on her studio wall, marking each saint’s historical location.^{[29][30][31][32]}

For multilingual accuracy, Rosalía worked with native speakers across all 14 languages, studying French and German independently. She took piano lessons for the first time since age 16 to develop orchestral composition skills.^[33][34][35]

Relationship Context and Album Themes

Rosalía and reggaeton artist Rauw Alejandro first met in 2019, went public in 2021, and ended their engagement in 2023. The track “La Perla” addresses romantic heartbreak, with critics identifying Rauw Alejandro as its subject.^{[36][37][38][39][40]}