The atmosphere in Williamsburg resembled a post-Halloween celebration as fans gathered for the first preview of Rosalía’s upcoming album, Lux, scheduled for release on November 7. The Spanish pop sensation hosted an intimate listening session at Weylin, a transformed bank venue, where select fans and notable personalities experienced an exclusive premiere of her fourth studio album.
This project marks Rosalía’s first major release since her critically acclaimed album, Motomami. Attendees discovered that her new work features her singing in a remarkable thirteen languages, showcasing her vast cultural reach.
A star-studded affair
During the listening event, guests enjoyed a selection of wines and appetizers while mingling in a chic, dimly lit VIP area. The ambiance blended classic elegance with contemporary style. Most attendees opted for sleek black attire, while some fans stood out in eye-catching ensembles, including flowing white garments and halos, reflecting the themes of feminine divinity and saintliness explored in Lux.
Notable attendees included fellow pop sensation Dua Lipa and her fiancé, actor Callum Turner. Lipa’s striking snake-print coat and Turner’s chic shearling jacket contributed to the evening’s fashionable flair. Other personalities present included actress Emily Ratajkowski, playwright Jeremy O. Harris, and photographer Tyler Mitchell.
The immersive listening experience
As the clock struck 7:30 p.m, fans were guided from the cocktail area to minimalist white benches facing a colossal white screen. To ensure an undistracted experience, all electronic devices were secured in Yondr pouches, allowing attendees to fully immerse themselves in the music. Projected text on the screen posed the thought-provoking question: “When was the last time you were in complete darkness?” This set the tone for the session, suggesting that sometimes, darkness can illuminate one’s path.
As the album played, the audience was enveloped by Rosalía’s powerful vocals. Lux comprises a stunning array of 18 tracks, blending genres and showcasing her ability to sing in languages ranging from Spanish to English, Catalan, Hebrew, Mandarin, Italian, Arabic, and Latin. While deeply rooted in her flamenco heritage, her adept use of multiple languages demonstrates her global artistic influence.
A glimpse into the tracks
The lead single, “Berghain,” features Rosalía’s operatic German vocals alongside renowned artists Bjork and Yves Tumor, earning enthusiastic applause from attendees. Another standout track, “La Perla,” boldly proclaims against heartbreak, with lyrics sharply critiquing a former lover. Rosalía’s fiery lines, such as “The local disappointment / National heartbreaker / An emotional terrorist,” resonated deeply with listeners, evoking the spirit of Lily Allen’s divorce-themed albums.
Rosalía’s artistic evolution
Rosalía’s musical style continues to defy categorization, merging classical orchestration with Latin club beats into a rich tapestry of sound. As she evolves, her artistry remains a beacon of innovation in the pop landscape, showcasing the fusion that characterized her previous album, Motomami. Her extensive training in flamenco and musicology at the Catalonia College of Music has empowered her to push vocal boundaries and redefine the essence of pop music.
At the conclusion of the listening session, Rosalía, dressed in an ethereal white chiffon gown, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the attendees. She shared that each of the thirteen languages on Lux serves a distinct narrative purpose, intertwined with tales of various women saints from around the globe. “It’s not random, okay,” she quipped, eliciting laughter from the crowd. Following the event, fans received Lux-themed yellow Bic lighters, emblazoned with the phrase, “Through my body you can see the light,” a playful nod to the album’s themes.