From Coldplay to radio play

Sara McGuire
Contributor

 

Iam a longstanding fan of Coldplay, standing by them despite the mixed reviews that Viva La Vida received in 2008, but since their fifth studio album release, Mylo Xyloto, I can no longer give the English band my full support.

They’ve taken a noticeable turn with their style, going for an industrial rock sound. While some listeners may enjoy the new, more electronically-driven Coldplay,
I expect many fans of their older music will not be impressed.

That is not to say that the entire album is a letdown. It does, however, have some major hiccups that make it difficult to enjoy the album as a whole.

The themes running throughout Mylo Xyloto reflect Coldplay’s new, manufactured sound. Many of the tracks deal with city life and technology, of being a member of a crowd, and seeking happiness and individuality in a cold, hectic, urban environment.

The album opens with a short track of glittering city lights at night music that segues into the first song, “Hurts Like Heaven”. Listeners will immediately notice a sound that’s different from their previous work, and while it is upbeat, catchy, and not altogether terrible, it is not the sensitive and lyrical Coldplay that we once knew and loved. Synthetic interludes separate the album into three parts without serving any concrete purpose.

The album reaches a major speed bump at the beginning of the second half, with “Princess of China” featuring Rihanna. Coldplay and Rihanna are both decent music makers in their own rights, but their coming together creates a tune that is vapid and nonsensical in both musical and lyrical quality.

Mylo Xyloto does have some highlights, however, and they can be found in the songs that have not been given much public attention.  Their slower ballads like “U.F.O.” and “Up Against the World” are reminiscent of the quieter, more heartfelt Coldplay from Parachutes and A Rush Of Blood To The Head.

The album also ends on a fortunate high note, with “Don’t Let it Break Your Heart” and “Up With The Birds”, two songs that incorporate the resplendent sound of previous Coldplay and leave the listener with feelings of thrill and vigour.

While Mylo Xyloto may not
deliver in its entirety, by looking past its flashy surface, listeners will find a peppering of songs that are worth the time we have spent waiting for the album to hit store shelves.

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