 A journey through new frontiers, with glimpses of the authentic Coldplay. COLDPLAY - MUSIC OF THE SPHERES (2021) Coldplay's newest album, Music of the Spheres, released on October 15, 2021, and produced by Max Martin, can be seen as a celestial journey with its ambitious concept, but not without stumbling over its own aspirations. This album attempts to blend the band's traditional aura with new, expansive horizons. The album opens with "๐ช," a brief and atmospheric instrumental song that sets the tone for the space-themed adventure of the album; however, itโs in "Higher Power" that Coldplay truly launches. With vibrant energy and electric rhythm, this track brings to mind the euphoric essence of some earlier works, echoing an optimistic message: "Youโve got a higher powerโฆ And youโre really someone I wanna know." "Humankind" follows, drenched in 80s vibes that blend perfectly with Coldplay's sound, creating a nostalgic yet fresh experience. The songโs dynamic beats and stimulating lyrics form another anthem in the bandโs rich discography, emphasized by the high note Chris Martin hits when he sings "humans" during the chorus. "Let Somebody Go," featuring Selena Gomez, is one of the few collaborations that genuinely feels unforced. Its beauty and simplicity make an impact; "when I called the mathematicians and I asked them to explainโฆ they said love is only equal to the pain," they deliver, with emotion, in a duet that stands out as a sincere moment of connection and loss. "Human Heart," with its soulful depth and minimalist approach, is contrast to the album's more upbeat tracks. The vocal harmonies and emotive delivery make it a standout piece on the journey, just like "Infinity Sign," an interlude โ one of their best to date. Its quality and integration into the albumโs narrative provide a welcome pause without feeling superfluous โ something Coldplay has struggled with in the past. The pinnacle of Music of the Spheres is undeniably "Coloratura." Spanning over ten minutes, this epic track is an unexpected gem that proves the authentic Coldplay is still very much alive. The songโs complex composition, piano movement, and storytelling are reminiscent of their earlier, more experimental works, with an extra impact โ listening to this in 2021 seems like a miracle in the context of today's music reality; lyrics like, "In this crazy world, I doโฆ I just want you" shows a sense of (cosmic?) wonder that no other band can emulate nowadays. Unfortunately, the album is not without its missteps: the partnership with BTS in "My Universe" feels like a calculated move to tap into the Asian market โ while BTS is undeniably popular, Coldplay's stature doesn't necessitate such forced collaborations as they are big enough to stand on their own legs. Moreover, the use of emojis in the track titles is a puzzling choice, specially because the real names of the songs, such as "Alien Choir" for "โจ," would have worked far better and maintained a sense of coherence and maturity; the childish approach returns in "Biutyful" and detracts from the albumโs overall theme โ its playful style feels out of place, more fitting for a children's album than a mature, space-themed journey. Between some of these mistakes, thereโs still time for "People of the Pride" to fall into the trap of feeling like propaganda, in a forgettable attempt to make a statement that lacks the subtlety and impact of Coldplayโs more thoughtful songs.
Despite these shortcomings, Music of the Spheres has its moments of brilliance. If judged solely on the strength of "Coloratura" and the heartfelt "Let Somebody Go," to mention only two, the album proves its worth. And although with mixed results, Coldplay continues to experiment and evolve. โ โ โ ยฝ (out of 5 stars) Coldplay Reviews: Parachutes (2000), A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), X&Y (2005), Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), Mylo Xyloto (2011), Ghost Stories (2014), A Head Full of Dreams (2015), Kaleidoscope EP (2017), Everyday Life (2019), Music of the Spheres (2021), and Moon Music (2024). |
