On Location: The Icelandic conductor behind Rosalia's 'Lux'

""It was a happy coincidence that I ended up working on this project," says Bjarnason, whose classical background and past work with artists like Sigur Rós make him well-positioned to straddle the many genres of 'Lux.' "I come from classical music, but I've worked in pop and electronic music and even jazz, so it's easy for me to move from one world to the next.""

"The team behind the project is notably international as well: Icelandic Björk and American Yves Tumor joined the album's first single "Berghain" while Yahritza Y Su Esencia, known for making regional Mexican music out of Washington state, and fado singer Carminho, appear on "La Perla" and "Mémoria" respectively. The renowned London Symphony Orchestra creates the backbone of it all, with none other than Icelandic conductor and composer Daníel Bjarnason at their helm."

Lux features 18 tracks with lyrics in 13 languages and draws on musical traditions from flamenco to opera. The album blends global influences and resists easy genre labels, fueling debate over whether it is pop, contemporary classical, both, or neither. Collaborators include Björk, Yves Tumor, Yahritza Y Su Esencia, and fado singer Carminho. The London Symphony Orchestra provides orchestral foundation under Icelandic conductor and composer Daníel Bjarnason. Bjarnason recorded the project in London in about a week, bringing a background spanning classical, pop, electronic, and jazz. Rosalía worked closely in the studio, taking a very hands-on role. Lux topped Spotify streaming charts after its early November release.

Read at CN Traveller