Coldplay have now been together as a band for over fifteen years and today, saw the release of their fifth studio album. As one of the most famous Alternative Rock bands on the planet, as well as the most debated along with the likes of Radiohead, Coldplay were also named the ‘Best Act In The World Today’ by Q Magazine readers. Mylo Xyloto depicts Coldplay following their own unique rule of never following the crowd, and as a result, they have created a record also gaining them the Number 1 spot on iTunes’ pre-order chart.
Unusually, the album commences with the title track, which gives the impression of an intermission type track. This illustrates the band breaking the mould yet again by making sure the title, and first track is not the most spectacular. If nothing else, it is a gentle and calming welcome into Coldplay’s new world of sound. ‘Hurts Like Heaven’ is a jaunty track that was premiered on the band’s festival tour, firstly at Glastonbury and T In The Park Festival. It depicts Coldplay’s new reinvention, including excessive use of sound effects and over-produced vocals. It spits in the face of Coldplay’s critics who constantly label them as wrist-slittingly depressing. This song conveys that simplistic songwriting can often go a very long way.
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| The artwork for Mylo Xyloto |
Seamlessly blending into the band’s second single to be released from Mylo Xyloto, ‘Paradise’ conveys frontman Chris Martin’s astounding ability to tell a story so many can relate to in so few words, ‘there she was just a girl, she expected the world...’. Although the chorus is repetitive, gang style vocals make it wonderfully suitable for future arena performances. ‘Charlie Brown’ was also premiered during the band’s festival run this summer, and reiterates that most tracks from this album as worthy of singular exposure, despite the fact that Coldplay never follow the current conventions of chart toppers.
Martin has always had the admiral gift to write heart-warming, emotion-filled love songs that people all over the world can perfectly relate to. With stunning harmonies from drummer Will Champion, ‘Us Against The World’ boasts the frontman’s unbelievable vocal range, ‘I just wanna be there when the lightning strikes...’. With sentimentality and no specific topic, ‘M.M.I.X’ is the perfect introduction to the best Mylo Xyloto has to offer.
‘Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall’ was released a single in June this year and is sharp and everything a single should be. It promotes all the talent of the band in the best way possible; positivity. It promotes Coldplay’s individual instrument abilities, as well as their collective songwriting gift; a pop vibe without selling out. And why would you when you can sound like this? With a strong and sturdy backbeat and harmonic layers, Coldplay’s poppier and repetitive twist has done them nothing but good.
Something the band has always managed to retain is their lack of complacency, which is the reason for the variation in sound and style for each new release. They understand the importance of reinvention and always attempting to appeal to new listeners. ‘Major Minus’ contains a brilliant hook along with something every band dreams of; a unique sound. Yet it is obvious that Coldplay are not regular arena-filling material. An abrupt ending blends into ‘U.F.O.’ which portrays the beauty in the simplicity of singer-songwriter and guitar combination.
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| Re-branding but never reinventing the wheel- a new style for Coldplay |
As the most over-produced track Coldplay have ever released, ‘Princess Of China’ is composed of strong synths and an R&B-esque thumping beat, that, as it happens, wouldn’t go a miss in a Rihanna song. Not only does this expand her horizons, but everyone has heard of Coldplay, so why not try something new? It breaks Mylo Xyloto’s premise of being gentle, calming and relaxing through most tracks thus far. However, ‘Up In Flames’ reverts back to this, with a Keane style and the sough after return to Chris Martin and the piano. The light beat conveys their new sound wonderfully, and provides much hope for their future work.
With a soft festival manner, ‘A Hopeful Transmission’ does exactly what it says on the tin and takes the listener into ‘Don’t Let It Break Your Heart’, which reflects that Coldplay have not aimed to create a classic album, but simply a fusion of new ideas. A progressive format peppered with indefinable features only found in a Coldplay song, this track depicts their ability to release work that is neither depressing nor conformist in terms of rock. ‘Up With The Birds’ eradicates the intriguing sound effects but retains the potential for a great live show. With a heroic build-up, gospel approach, brilliant guitaring, merged vocals and overall Christian sound, this track screams optimism!
Although it is fundamentally a concept album, Mylo Xyloto pulls apart from the title wave of crap conceptual records, and is an elaboration in sound from Viva La Vida (2008). Coldplay manage to re-brand themselves countless times without reinventing the wheel. Simple, direct, well blended and pop-esque in parts, this album is simply stunning.
5/5
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