Mylo Xyloto another iteration of Coldplay's success

By Ryan Gupta     10/26/11 7:00pm

Rebounding from disappointing record sales for their last album, Viva La Vida, plagiarism accusations and the incipient criticism that comes with increased popularity, Coldplay's new album is a fresh start for the band.

Fortunately for Coldplay loyalists, Mylo Xyloto does not represent a major shift from vintage Coldplay. Critics may herald the album as safe and boring. In truth, however, Coldplay sticks to who they are while expanding their music's boldness in both sound and message. This album has much more electronic influence than previous Coldplay material, and at least a couple of the songs have more pop influence than some fans will appreciate. At the same time, Coldplay did not attain their elite status in the music world by remaining stagnant. True fans will appreciate Coldplay's willingness to experiment while maintaining their core musical values throughout Mylo Xyloto.

Coldplay comes out swinging for the fences with three huge tracks to begin the album. The move is a bold one, as "Hurts like Heaven," "Paradise," and "Charlie Brown" are three of the best songs on the album, but it is clear that front-man Chris Martin is being more aggressive and more exciting than ever before. This theme of audacity becomes apparent in "Hurts like Heaven," where the lyrics pointedly state, "How come they're out to get us / How come they're out when they don't know the facts?"

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The band's independent attitude reemerges in the album's first ballad, titled "Us Against the World." The gamble of starting with three louder works pays massive dividends; the transition to a slow, softer melody moves listeners in the same way that Coldplay has done in the past with only their greatest pieces. The song itself is stunning, but its placement behind three harder-hitting songs creates the album's hallmark moment.

The album's first single, "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall," follows an airy, instrumental transition. The piece meshes new and old Coldplay styles in an impressive fashion. In the first minute, the electronic, synthesizer-heavy introduction gives way to a more subtle guitar riff which is extremely reminiscent of the "Strawberry Swing" opening. Unfortunately, the lyrics are a bit gimmicky, and the piece is too geared towards the mainstream to positively contribute to the album as a whole.

The album's heavy electronic influence also dominates "Princess of China," the album's most risky piece. In an unexpected twist, the song features Rihanna against a synthesizer and rhythm-heavy backdrop. While the piece seems a bit forced in the context the album, the song itself is masterful. The catchy track and Rihanna's R&B hook make this another song inevitably primed for heavy radio play; however, it is not guilty of the same gimmicky pandering that "Every Teardrop" is. While the piece may not be a perfect fit for Mylo Xyloto, the album may very well be remembered for this collaboration. Rihanna's guest appearance may seem new and uncomfortable, but this sort of fusion might be the beginning of a larger movement in alternative music.

Mylo Xyloto is the perfect harmony of traditional Coldplay and new influence; it is neither unimaginative nor an extreme shift. While the pop and electronic influences may detract from the album at certain points, Mylo Xyloto stands strong in a world where every work of music is bombarded by exterior influences. Mylo Xyloto is simply another reminder that Coldplay may be the most universally dominant musical force of this generation.

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