Yet another work of Coldplay’s melancholia magnificence was released on October 24. Mylo Xyloto, the band’s fifth studio album, is exactly what you’d expect from a seven-time Grammy winning group. It’s still the same alternative rock calamity that will leave dedicated Coldplay fans satisfied, but the British quartet has been testing the waters, giving some of their new tracks a dance floor anthem vibe.
“It’s good stuff,” says Tracey Tran (‘13). “It takes some time getting used to, but they did a good job of incorporating new sounds and old sounds.”
In terms of flow, however, the album does have its inconsistencies. The second track on the album, “Hurts Like Heaven” is incredibly lively considering its dark and pondering lyrics (“Written up in marker on a factory sign/ I struggle with the feeling that my life isn’t mine”). Two songs later, “Us Against The World” is reminiscent of the works in A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) and X&Y (2005). The sudden changes in tone take away from the band’s artistic experimentation.
Despite the album’s lack of flow, the songs themselves are amazing pieces of work. Rihanna lends her talents in “Princess of China”, the perfect blend of sincerity and charisma. Other notable tracks are “Paradise” and “Charlie Brown”.
