What happens when two great Iberian voices come together? The result is worthy of “Memória”, the track that Lisbon’s Carminho shares with Rosalía on “Lux”, the Catalan’s latest album. The Spanish artist’s fourth work of originals is on the lips of the world (and the critics), and stands out for including the nostalgia of fado, the Portuguese language and much more.
Although it was only released on November 7th, social networks have been going ‘crazy’ about “Lux”; and we wanted to find out why. After listening to the album multiple times on Spotify, we ended up joining the more than 42 million plays the album has had in just 24 hours. A figure that in itself reveals a record: “Lux” has become the most listened to album in a single day on the digital platform by a Spanish-speaking artist.
With “Lux”, 33-year-old Rosalía not only surpassed Karol G.‘s record-breaking “Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season)”, but also reinforced her capacity for artistic innovation. After all, from the flamenco sounds of “El Mal Querer” (2018) to the presence of reggaeton in “Motomami” (2022), Rosalía continues to reinvent herself, like a chameleon.
When two great voices come together
In “Lux” there are many luxury collaborations, such as Björk, Estrella Morente (flamenco diva) and, of course, ‘our’ Carminho, among many others. The 41-year-old Portuguese fado singer explained this successful Iberian partnership in an interview with Rádio Renascença’s “As Três da Manhã” program:
I offered her a song to sing on my album. I invited her to sing, and she wanted to keep the song for her record.”
“Memória” appeals to the roots of the purest fado , sung by Carminho and Rosalía, mostly in Portuguese, but with room for a few verses in Spanish. A work recorded in three different places: United States of America, United Kingdom and Spain. As well as Carminho, the song features the London Symphony Orchestra and the Cambra Choir from the Palau de La Música.
Carminho and her success across borders
In Portuguese music, Carminho’s voice needs no introduction, often standing out as one of fado’s most obvious talents, reinventing this musical style with other genres.
As well as her recent collaboration with Rosalía, she has also worked with Pablo Alborán and Chico Buarque, as well as appearing in the famous Hollywood film “Pobres Criaturas” (by Yorgos Lanthimos).
From spirituality to mysticism in “Lux”
Returning to “Lux”, if you haven’t heard the song yet, prepare yourself because it bears little (if any) resemblance to other works by Rosalía that have gone viral. For about an hour, the Catalan artist presented a journey between the spiritual and the profane, almost worthy of an opera.
This atmosphere was kicked off by “Berghain”, where the Spaniard presented herself to the world like never before, in a true work of art featuring the unmistakable talent of Björk and Yves Tumor.
Spirituality has been something that has accompanied me since I was a little girl and I feel very grateful to have been able to record an album like this, where the inspiration is mysticism and spirituality,” said Rosalía, in an interview quoted in an RTP 1 report.
Whether it’s flamenco, pop or reggaeton, Rosalía is far from sticking to one version of herself. With “Lux”, she explores her various facets and musical influences, delivering a work of pure light. If you’re curious, all that’s left to do is dive into this journey that is shaping global pop, with a special touch of Lisbon.
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