Over a decade since the release of their debut studio album, Parachutes, Coldplay are undoubtedly one of the biggest bands in the world. When you reach the level that Coldplay have powered up to, there's huge interest in everything that you do; the rumour mill works overtime, the pressure to continue to deliver is immense and there's massive anticipation surrounding everything that you release. So, if you are going to churn out an album, you pretty much have to make certain it's a damn good one. After a nigh on three year wait for its completion, Mylo Xyloto has finally landed complete with whiffs of the past, leaps to the future and even a perhaps unlikely collaboration with Rihanna; it is to be hoped that it's a grower.
Definitely not lacking in ambition, Mylo Xlyoto opens with its title track; not so much a track but more 43 seconds of atmospheric guitars punctuated by twinkling glockenspiel in the vein of a pre-gig instrumental introduction of sorts. The track build to launch into 'Hurts Like Heaven', a confident, fast paced, up tempo track with driving drums powering the usual Coldplay mix of lead guitar melodies lilting over a blend of rhythm guitar and bass, with Chris Martin's vocals in from the off; then, with their most recent pre-album single, 'Paradise', Coldplay step outside of their comfort zone and into and electro-flavoured new territory. 'Paradise' opens with a minute long string-laden introduction, but when the beat eventually kicks in, it really does kick in with an almost dub step swagger; the track has much more of a commercial leaning to it than anything by Coldplay that has preceded and almost verges on club territory with its swaggering chorus. Coming out of the chorus, 'Paradise' is again characterised by a catchy 'ooh' hook reminiscent of 'Viva La Vida', before the track plays into a much calmer piano and vocal intro.
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