Mylo Xyloto by Coldplay

Front man Chris Martin has done it again. The heavily criticized band has released yet another album that critics are working overtime to bash. Sure, the bands music can be compared to U2, Radiohead, or R.E.M. --all bands that possess individual style and carry esteemed reputations but Coldplay’s signature style never fails its audience. Mylo Xyloto is not groundbreaking but is enjoyable in its entirety and is an impressive rendition of talent that may help to defeat its critics. Whatever happened to enjoying music that is simply pleasurable?  

Their array of songs is brighter, more upbeat, and more emphatic than past albums. They maintain their grandeur while challenging presuppositions by adding in a duet with Rhianna in “Princess of China”, slowing it down with “Up in Flames”, and offering the potential for great ‘danceibility’ with indie song, “Hurts Like Heaven”.

Mylo Xyloto’s content possesses a storyline that is followed throughout. According to Martin, the album is “based on a love story with a happy ending,” in which two protagonists live in a dystopian environment, meet one another through a gang and fall in love. Inspiration for the album supposedly came from “the White Rose Movement”—a group that called for an active opposition to dictator Hitler’s regime—and HBO TV series “The Wire”.

As usual, the lyrics are not mind-blowing or thought provoking but who cares. Coldplay’s signature style is solid on its own and they have proved that once again with album No. 5. Critics can continue to be haters if they please.

“Princess of China” opens with, “Once upon a time somebody ran” and “Once upon a time we fell apart” chronicles a fading love. The lyrics are so-so but you get the point. The music itself is upbeat background that is contagious. Listen to this song once and you will catch yourself singing it to yourself in the car. It’s catchy and enjoyable to listen to with an added Rhianna bonus. The trendy collaboration will give the pop industry a run for their money.

“So its over, this time, I know, it’s gone” is a slower sort of “Someone Like You” Adele-type feel. “Up in Flames” follows a love story with an unfortunate ending, referring over-and-over again to the relationship being up in flames and ending with a very sly, “could we pour some water on?” in a last ditch effort to save the relationship. The musicality is fairly simple for Coldplay and evokes great emotion in the listener.

Electro-indie meets classic rock is “Hurts Like Heaven”. It’s the type of song that makes you want to get up and do a dorky dance move. Its quirkiness pulls out hidden traits that are hysterical.

The lyrics are atypical for Coldplay—more upbeat and complex, “Written in graffiti on a bridge in a park 'Do you ever get the feeling that you're missing the mark?’” and “See the arrow that they shot, trying to tear us apart,” follow the love-struck couple who are battling approval by society. People are trying to bring them down but they refuse and “Don’t let them take control.”

Coldplay’s loyal audience clearly disagree with harsh critics as Mylo Xyloto debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in the United States, selling 447,000 copies the first week. Coldplay follows The Beatles and Oasis as the third group to debut at number one with their first five albums.

Mylo Xyloto showcases the bands talent and niche from the hook-ridden piano lines, the guitar motifs, the soft vocals and the electronica beats all into one phenomenal 44-minute-long album.

The album is irresistible. I find myself constantly playing it even when I consciously try not to. The music is uplifting, inspiring, “danceable” and sincere. Coldplay knows their strengths and places their contagious energy in the right places. The lyrics might not be groundbreaking but the colorful background music in combination with Martin’s falsetto vocals makes for a victorious album No. 5.

Coldplay continues to prove their talent and will continue to be regarded as one of the best bands in the world even while the haters continue to hate. After all, they are fierce competition and a force that cannot be reckoned with in the industry so why wouldn’t you hate them?