Coldplay, Music of the Spheres | Album Review 💿

Grammy-winning alt-rock band Coldplay return with their ninth studio album, Music of the Spheres, which yields some winning moments.

I was as surprised as anyone when 🎙 Coldplay earned a 🏆 Grammy nomination for Album of the Year for their 2019 album, 💿 Everyday Life.  It was an enjoyable album with some noteworthy moments but didn’t feel like an album of the year contender.  🎙 Chris Martin, Martin, 🎙 Guy Berryman, 🎙 Jonny Buckland, and 🎙 Will Champion return two years later with what feels like an unexpected follow-up, 💿 Music of the Spheres.  Music of the Spheres drew some buzz with two fine advanced singles (🎵 “Higher Power” and 🎵 “My Universe”), but, how good is it beyond those familiar tunes? Read on and find out!

“⦵ (Music of the Spheres)”

🎵 “⦵ (Music of the Spheres)” commences Music of the Spheres atmospherically.  This sub-one-minute instrumental intro sets the tone, constructing a galactical experience – or something along those lines.  It’s a fine preface to the bright, exuberant single, ✅ 🎵 “Higher Power”, produced by 🎛 Bill Rahko, 🎛 Max Martin, and 🎛 Oscar Holter (they produce the album as well). “You’ve got a higher power / Got me singing every second, dancing every hour,” Martin sings on the chorus. “Higher Power” thrives off spiritual references without referencing God or a specific deity.  Quite intriguing and picturesque record regarding sound (those synths, New Wave cues) and ‘spirit,’ “Higher Power” is ear catching the first time you hear it.

Chris Martin is brilliant, serving up energetic and expressive lead vocal. The lyrics aren’t overly complicated don’t go incredibly deep. The first and second verses feature repetition and feel more ‘vibe’ than anything else.  The pre-chorus sets up the centerpiece, the chorus, in all its glory.  There’s also a high-flying bridge that celebrates the higher power, as well as an outro referencing prayer… perhaps.  “When for so long I’d been down on my knees,” Martin sings, continuing, “Then your love song saved me over and over.” Martin could be talking about God, a god, or someone who ‘saved him.’ All said and done, there’s lots to heart about this record.

“Humankind” 

“I know, I know, I know / We’re only human / But from another planet / Still they call us humankind.” Okay, sure! Following “Higher Power” is tough – it ranks among the gems of Music of the Spheres.  Thankfully, 🎵 “Humankind” is a respectable follow up that’s ear catching on its own.  The production is bright, busy, and engaging.  I love the blend of guitars and synths.  Martin remains true to self as the front man.  Are the lyrics elite? Again, no – you don’t leave “Humankind” feeling like poetry has been served up.  Nonetheless, the chorus is memorable.  Following “Humankind,” Coldplay unleashes another instrumental interlude, 🎵 “*✧ (Alien Choir).”  To quote 2 Chainz, “It’s a Vibe”.

“When you love somebody / Then it hurts like so / To let somebody go.” ✅🎵 “Let Somebody Go” pairs Coldplay with an unlikely artist – 🎙 Selena Gomez.  How exactly did this duet come about? Anyways, while not flashy, Gomez is successful here given the subtlety of this ballad.  Still, could another pairing produce more heat? Yes, of course. Regardless, “Let Somebody Go” is radiant, remaining even keel for much of the record.  When it ascends next level, it never gets too high or overreaches dynamically. 🎵 “♡ Human Heart” follows, pairing the band with more unlikely collaborators: 🎙 We Are KING & 🎙 Jacob Collier.  The result is enjoyable, radiant (once again), and ultimately, successful.  Thematically, “Human Heart” conveys a notable message, focusing on matters of being human.  That said, while the theme may be poetic, the lyrics don’t rival Shakespearean sonnets – just saying!

“People of the Pride”

In need of a f-bomb to add intensity to Music of the Spheres? Look no further than ✅ 🎵 “People of the Pride,” where Chris Martin curses! “There’s a man who swears he’s God / Unbelievers will be shot,” Martin asserts on the first verse, continuing, “There’s a man who walks around / Like he owns the fucking lot.” Uh-oh – I also sense some religious skepticism, which might be more notable than that unnecessary ‘fuckery.’ Beyond that, however, the bridge features the most important, inclusive lyrics: “We’ll all be free to fall in love / With who we want and say / Yeah, yeah, yeah / People of the pride / Go.”  With some memorable lyrical moments, as well as some fine production wizardry, “People of the Pride” ranks among the best of Music of the Spheres.

On 🎵 “Biutyful,” the big question is, who singing like an alien? According to Martin, it’s confidential.  Whatever, I suppose.  I am glad that Coldplay didn’t merely have this secret alien sing the entire song. We also hear Martin’s recognizable instrument.  Like the titular lyric, there is something that’s beautiful about this number, just like the love sung about (“When you love me, love me, love me / I’m nowhere else / I’m on top of the world /… and it’s beautiful”). 🎵 “❍ (Music of the Spheres II)” follows, featuring reversed vocals that speak to the concept of the LP: “Ladies and gentlemen / Welcome to Music of the Spheres / Remember, everyone is an alien somewhere.”

“My Universe”

Coldplay and 🎙 BTS collaborating? Surprising, but that’s exactly what goes down on ✅ 🎵 “My Universe”. This is a collaboration you shouldn’t expect to work in the least but “My Universe” is successful.  From the production end of things, the sound is incredibly slick as it has been the entirety of Music of the Spheres.  It’s a bright, energetic, and warm ‘universal’ experience! Credited writers include Coldplay (Martin, Berryman, Buckland, and Champion) and select members of BTS (🎙 🎼✍ j-hope, 🎙 🎼✍ RM, and 🎙 🎼✍ SUGA). Is the writing so good it required a million writers? That’s debatable, but the results are positive, particularly the simple but gargantuan chorus (“You, you are my universe / And I, just want to put you first”).  The chorus sums up what Chris Martin and the respective members of BTS (🎙 Jung Kook, RM, 🎙 Jimin, 🎙 Jin, j-hope, and SUGA) sing (or rap) on their respective verses and bridge.

With “My Universe” playing out as crossover pop song, the remainder of Music of the Spheres isn’t focused on being commercial.  🎵 “∞ (Infinity Sign)” is a full-length cut but again, the lyrics don’t ignite a fire.  The penultimate song is more aesthetic and vibe than anything else, featuring repeated “Olé” and “Spiritus sanc – / ‘Ritus sanc-” lyrics.  Ultimately, it’s interesting.  More interesting, however is the 10-minute-plus 🎵 ✅ “Coloratura.”  It’s hard to sustain interest with such a lengthy song, particularly when the lyrics have been a wee bit simplistic throughout the album.  The good news is, Coldplay delivers a well-rounded, thoughtfully penned closer.  Will it receive lots of spins while listening to Music of the Spheres? Highly unlikely, but as the artsiest record, true to its title, it deserves recognition.  The music is stunning, blending alternative, progressive, and symphonic rock seamlessly. 

Final Thoughts 💭

So, how does Music of the Spheres stack up? Positively, Coldplay have some alluring moments.  “Higher Power” and “My Universe” were successful singles and continue to pack a punch in the context of the album. Furthermore, it’s hard to deny the musicianship of “Coloratura,” even if it’s not a radio-ready hit.  Bright spots aside, Music of the Spheres is imperfect.  There’s great music, and a decent concept, but the band fails to fully develops things or produce a cohesive LP.  The lyrics are often weak and overly simplistic, relying on the music to provide atonement. It does mostly, but at times, Music of the Spheres feels like it needs more.

✅ Gems 💎: “Higher Power,” “Let Somebody Go,” “People of the Pride,” “My Universe” & “Coloratura”

🎙 Coldplay • 💿 Music of the Spheres • 🏷 Parlophone • 🗓 10.15.21
[📷: Parlophone]