Mylo Xyloto by Coldplay

Mylo Xyloto. (Coldplay) 

It’s not their “Achtung Baby”, it’s their “Mylo Xyloto”.  

Album Rating: **** (4/5)

Comparing Coldplay to U2 is one of the easiest things to do.  It’s simple to understand though; both have massive appeal, are charitable and after this album Coldplay will join U2 to become easy targets for Indie snobs to feast upon. 

Follow up to an epic album is much harder than a disappointing one. The expectation are high, the comparison inevitable and fetching for similarities evident.  In this case “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends”, an album which not only established Coldplay as “The Biggest Band of The World” but saw their creative juices flowing to an ever high.  So how do you plan for the next album? By naming it “Mylo Xyloto” of course. 

Original ideas are hard to find.  But christening your record to words which have no place in Dictionary or any meaning is evidence to lengths to which the band can go for marking a whole new impression on listeners. Started off as an acoustic album, “Mylo Xyloto” was previously planned to act as a soundtrack to a movie, pieces of which are evident in the record.  Influences from other popular music styles (RnB, hip-hop, electronic etc.) cropped in and it soon turned into a composite of everything. A dynamic mix to convey a story and hence Coldplay’s first concept album is born.

Few seconds in and the Xylophones rush in providing an interlude to “Hurts Like Heaven”. The protagonist enters all confused (“'Do you ever get the feeling that you're missing the mark?”) and insecure (“'I struggle with the feeling that my life isn't mine”). Themes that Chris has explored all throughout “X&Y” but the execution has never been this perfect. Inspired by German graffiti (“White Rose Movement”) this one clearly has Jonny in total control with gorgeous riffs and many tweaks during production to make it sound more beastly and falsettos right at the end make it an essential listen.

Enter our female lead (presumably) in “Paradise”, second single and major influence of RnB and Hip-hop elements especially with drumming. This song conveys escapism from reality (or rather harsh truth) to make believe Paradise. Piano and guitar (although in minority) land at required places but the string arrangements is a clear winner here.

What follows next is the highlight of the record, “Charlie Brown”, which features meeting of our two leads and how they take refuge together (“Took a car downtown where the lost boys meet”) and wishful plans (“We'll run riot, We'll be glowing in the dark”) in such oppressive environment. The song manages to keep you hooked with addictive guitar rhythm, energetic flow and an outro which surprisingly doesn’t seem out of place rather completes this next bound to “smash hit” single.

An unearthly, sublime guitar riff paves way to one of the most beautiful song that Coldplay have every written or composed.  “Us Against The World” (as the title suggests) is about how both the characters find solace, hope and strength from the difficult times and how they still dream of not only escape but also starting all over again. Will Champion lends his voice to this magnificent, hypnotising, organ filled emotional ride. Simply stunning.  

Another interlude (M.M.I.X.) builds up to first single of the record “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall”. This song is their attempt at making something which is uplifting, inspirational and dancy at the same time.  The “wa-wa-waterfall” part might not be the best idea ever though. Feeling wicked? Jonny assumes a bad a** role in “Major Minus” with high pumping guitar solo and backing scratch among other things. With the context of the album and story flow many changes have been done such as voice muffling, alien sounds, simultaneous singing to portray Paranoia. (“Got one eye on the road and one on you”) fear of being watched and constant betrayal.

A short, simple acoustic track (“U.F.O.”) finds our protagonist with courage and distant hope (“Let's fly, split the sky”) until it all comes crashing down in “Princess of China”. Essentially a break up song among the leads (“Once upon a time on the same side”) it features Rihanna and it works surprisingly well. Synths, uneasy computerized sounds and total absence of other band members, this one is different than anything they have done before and it's bound to polarize views.

A last minute addition “Up In Flames” (James Blake-isque) is an immensely tragic and highly depressive track conveying hopelessness (“Up in flames , We have slowly burned”) until Chris slowly whispers at the end "Can we pour some water on?". Mesmerizing. Another interlude gives into “Don’t Let It Break Your Heart”, an explosive penultimate track very similar to “The Killers”. The drums are heavy but Jonny's persistent play (minimal but at important points) features ending with flashy sound patches and heart-beat bass makes it more graphical.

Mylo Xyloto final draws to a close with “Up With Birds”, a meditative first half where our lead seems to be content with the loss and just watches the silver lining (“It's a spark in a sea of grey”), Chris almost gives in and escapes (“My arms turn wings”) but the flight turns slowly with the bird call (yes, there are bird noises) as Jonny lends his final riff of optimism.  Sheer courage without despair (“Even though all my armour might rust in the rain”) as love finally triumphs over fear.  Cheesy yet enchanting.

Never have Coldplay paid such high attention to detail. They have worked their heart out to get it right, to convey a message, to paint a picture, to make it more graphic. Some may call it “over-produced” but it’s important to know that everything (from addition of noises to effects) was carried out to say a story (as stated above).  This album hits out emotionally in much more direct ways than “Viva La Vida” ever did and Jonny assumes a lead role for most of the parts.

With Mylo Xyloto, Coldplay have managed to enter the new decade with an album that showcases not only their versatility but also the intent of staying relevant by re-inventing themselves time and again.

It’s not their “Achtung Baby”, it’s their “Mylo Xyloto”.  

Key Songs: Us Against The World, Charlie Brown, Hurts Like Heaven.

Tracklisting:
1. Mylo Xyloto (0:42)
2. Hurts Like Heaven (4:02)
3. Paradise (4:37)
4. Charlie Brown (4:45)
5. Us Against The World (3:59)
6. M.M.I.X. (0:48)
7. Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall (4:00)
8. Major Minus (3:30)
9. U.F.O. (2:17)
10. Princess of China (3:59)
11. Up In Flames (3:13)
12. A Hopeful Transmission (0:33)
13. Don't Let It Break Your Heart (3:54)
14. Up With The Birds (3:45)