By Ashley E. Lang
For over a decade, Coldplay has been streaming from our speakers, dancing through the air and finding their way into our hearts. With their newly released album Mylo Xyloto, they have most certainly proved why they have dominated the airwaves and will continue to do so for years to come.
Mylo Xyloto is beaming with whimsical rhythms, backed by a strong vocal performance by lead vocalist Chris Martin. Every track on Coldplay’s latest is another one for the books.
The opening track, “Mylo Xyloto,” is 42 seconds of synthesized joy and a perfect introduction to Martin’s charisma bursting out of every track.
Declared a concept album by Martin, Mylo Xyloto tells the story of two protagonists, Mylo and Xyloto, who meet and fall in love while living in an oppressed society. The album takes you through each stage of their lives from love to problems within society and the suffocation of higher powers where their only real means of escape is in their dreams. Martin sings “When she was just a girl she expected the world but it flew away from her reach so she ran away in her sleep,” in “Paradise.”
“Major Minus,” an edgier track off of Mylo Xyloto, warns of the dangers of a government watchdog. “They got one eye on what you knew And one eye on what you do so be careful who it is you’re talking to.”
Coldplay takes on a soft acoustic rhythm in “U.F.O.” Although less upbeat musically, the delicateness of the instruments proves to be a perfect addition to Martin’s vocal performance on a more sensitive track.
With a surprising twist, Rihanna delivers an impressive performance on “Princess of China” with Martin. As Mylo and Xyloto battle the evils of everyday life, “Princess of China” chronicles the pitfalls when love becomes a battleground. “I could’ve been a princess, you’d be a king could’ve had a castle on a ring but no, you let me go. I could’ve been a princess, you’d be a king could’ve had a castle on a ring but no, you let me go…you stole my star…cause you really hurt me.”
In continuing the sorrows of a broken heart, “Up in Flames” captures beautifully the feeling of loss and the hopelessness of being alone after knowing what it means to truly love.
Mylo Xyloto is a brilliant album that not only captures the human psyche but also devours the illusions of the heart from every stage of love, loss, and rebirth. Separately each track holds its own, but the tracks meshed together produce pure greatness. This album does not disappoint on any level.
