By Tasha Cook
Alternative rock group Coldplay finally released their long-awaited new album, Mylo Xyloto, this fall. After changing expectations on the release date over the last year (it was originally proposed to be released as early as Christmas 2010), the long wait proved fruitful for dedicated Coldplay fans.
While Mylo Xyloto exemplifies Coldplay’s tradition of mildly changing musical styles with each new album, this fifth studio work also encapsulates much of what makes Coldplay what it is. Mystical lyrics, ethereal electronic notes and soothing acoustics take the listener back to the days of X&Y while mixing a little of Viva la Vida in as well.
The first single released from the album earlier this year, “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall,” is a cheery, inspiring song with a catchy beat reminiscent of “Strawberry Swing.” However, to find the best songs on the album, as per usual it is necessary to look beyond the released singles to those songs reserved for the album only.
One example of this is the song “Us Against the World.” With lyrics which upon deciphering reveal a powerful message, the song is a poignant hypothesis on life. The bridge states, “If we could float away, fly up to the surface and just start again, and lift off before trouble just erodes us in the rain.”
Probably the most drastic change from usual Coldplay style comes in the form of “Princess of China,” which enlists the help of pop superstar Rihanna for the female lyrics. Although the addition of Rihanna seems a bit cliché and annoying because of her popularity, it works very well for this song. Listeners who do not expect to like the song because of her may be pleasantly surprised to hear the catchy, interesting beat and the harmony between her and Chris Martin. Overall, the song is decent, but not Coldplay’s best.
Though the quality of the album is decent, not every song is as interesting as it could be. “Up in Flames,” although soothing, is a bit too repetitive and tends to get boring after about a minute of listening.
Other songs to take note of on the album, in particular, are “Hurts Like Heaven,” “Paradise” (the second single released), and “Charlie Brown.” The latter is possibly the most Coldplay-ish sounding song on the album, despite the beginning noise sounding a bit like angelic kittens on helium.
Overall, the album is sure to please Coldplay fans as it returns to what makes Coldplay what they are as a group. Fortunately, despite sounding at times like its predecessor, Mylo Xyloto digresses from the very outgoing and unusual style of Viva la Vida and makes its own statement in the history of the talented British group.
Contact Tasha Cook, managing editor, at tcook15@jccc.edu.