Coldplay, Arabesque | Track Review 🎵

Grammy-winning alternative rock band Coldplay shines on “Arabesque,” the co-lead single from their eighth studio album, Everyday Life.

Following a four-year hiatus between full-length studio albums, Coldplay returns in 2019 with Everyday Life.  Everyday Life serves as the proper follow-up to A Head Full of Dreams, released in 2015.  The eighth studio album by Chris Martin and company is a double album, comprised of ‘Sunrise’ (eight tracks) and ‘Sunset’ (eight tracks).  Initially, the Grammy-winning British alternative collective released a single from each disc – “Arabesque,” the penultimate cut from ‘Sunrise’ and “Orphans,” the second track (10^th overall) from ‘Sunset.’

“Arabesque” surpasses the five-and-a-half-minute mark in regard to duration.  The Bill Rahko, Daniel Green, and Rik Simpson co-production is quite unique – one of the biggest selling points of the record.  Following an intro that encompasses a soundscape of the city and traffic, “Arabesque” settles into this super groovy, alt-rock joint, characterized by rhythmic acoustic guitar, electric guitars, and horns.  Notably, between the second and third verses, there’s a fantastic alto saxophone solo by Omorinmade Anikulapo-Kuti, a member of the renowned Kuti family. Of course, a Fela Kuti song is sampled, featuring Femi Kuti (“Music is the weapon, music is the weapon of the future”). That’s not even the half of “Arabesque.”

Chris Martin is as potent as ever on “Arabesque,” even if he doesn’t ascend into his glorious falsetto. On the second verse, Martin allows Stromae to handle the bulk of the vocal duties.  That said, he still contributes, along with fellow Coldplay member, Will Champion.  Notably, Stromae sings in French, which seems to further support the band’s pursuance of unity and peace. Martin takes the reins once more on the brief third verse, which features the lyrics, “And we share the same blood / Yeah, we share the same blood.”  For further emphasis, at the end, Martin intensifies the message – “Same fucking blood.”

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, “Arabesque” is a superb promo single from Everyday Life.  It finds the band experimenting with different sounds while promoting a message perfectly tailor for ‘times like these.’ “Arabesque” is well-rounded in all facets – singing, songwriting, and production.  All in all, a winner.

Coldplay • Everyday Life • Warner • Release: 11.22.19

Photo Credit: Warner