Coldplay’s highly-anticipated new album is a mix of the band’s old, well-loved sounds with some new flavors thrown in.
The album intro “Sunrise” is a melancholy violin track that beckons the day in with somber tranquility. The subsequent track “Church”, on the other hand, is quintessentially Coldplay. The chord progression is gloomy yet familiar, and Chris Martin’s vocals can be counted on to envoke those happy-sad nostalgia feelings we hate to love. The chorus is followed by an instrumental bridge with mysterious female vocals. This is the moment when everyone at the festival puts their hands up in the air while the sun comes down over the main stage. This is Coldplay’s comforting familiar sound.
“Trouble In Town” takes a minor detour in tone. Think Neil Young meets “Another Brick In The Wall, Part I”. It comprises of running bass and droning vocals. Naturally, the simple track builds into something explosive. It wouldn’t be a Coldplay song if it didn’t have that big hands-in-the-air crescendo at the end of the song. It’s what keeps fans hooked on Coldplay album after album.
The final track on part one, “When I Need A Friend” is an acapella track with choral backing. If Kanye West hadn’t made choir singing the music trend of the year, we would be a lot more surprised to hear the track on a Coldplay album. The interlude is followed by the opener of part two which is significantly more upbeat. The echoing synths have been stripped back so it’s just Martin singing along with quick guitar.
The rest of the album is a similar mix between good old reliable Coldplay with a few surprises thrown in. There may be no bangers like “Fix You” or “The Scientist” on Everyday Life, but it is a pretty solid album from start to finish. The band seemed to have moved away from their depressive sound and into something that actually makes you feel good. This change in tone hasn’t come at the expense of the sound fans know and love. Everyday Life is Coldplay through and through, but it is also a testament to the band’s capacity to grow and change with the times.
4.5/5
