The 38th Best Album of 2025
A late addition to the list, and one that I think could honestly go up or down as time passes on, Rosalia's LUX. I first became aware of Rosalia in 2022 when Motomami was released. The flamenco-drenched pop album providing a fresh take on what I thought pop music could be. So when I saw she was dropping another album in 2025 I was pretty excited. Then the first single dropped. Named for famed Berlin club Berghain, the lead single featured Bjork and Yves Tumor and was broadly orchestral, a strong departure from the Motomami sound. After a few more listens I did appreciate the new sound, and it's always cool when artists take risks and explore new genres. The album follows suit, with dense orchestral arrangements providing the backdrop for her to do her thing. I think it feels a little busy at times, and with how strong her voice is the orchestral/string parts can do a little much to draw attention away from that which I don't think is necessarily a good thing. But still a really cool album that showcases Rosalia's artistry and vocal talent.