Released: 15 October 2021
Coldplay explore new sonic galaxies on their latest LP ‘Music of the Spheres’.
The 12-track collection kicks off with lead single Higher Power, a Max Martin-produced earworm that demands you give in to your inhibitions and surrender to the beat.
Each track on the record corresponds with a planet in the group’s fictional universe; a narrative that’s laid out alongside the songs on digital platforms and in the album package.
It’s sequenced so that one songs bleeds into the next, fuelling the vision of the group hopping between planets, each with their own atmosphere and culture.
Despite its other-worldly inspiration, ‘Music of the Spheres’ is rooted in the human condition, with Humankind exploring our purpose as a race and People of the Pride celebrating individuality.
But while a combination of futuristic pop jams and topical lyrics appears to be a perfect match, what should be a record brimming with excitement feels a little over-engineered to be truly authentic.
The songs are well crafted and the album isn’t short of radio hits, but it’s not quite as out there as we – and perhaps the band too – hoped.
There’s also the issue of collaborations; My Universe featuring BTS works and is a highlight of the record, but Human Heart with We Are King and Jacob Collier could be so much more and the addition of Selena Gomez on Let Somebody Go feels like a desperate attempt to reach new listeners.
It all comes to a head on 10-minute closer Coloratura which, despite its epic run time, is still lacking in the excitement and spontaneity an album like this needs to really translate.
‘Music of the Spheres’ is available on CD and limited vinyl.
