Ironically, now that people are finally accepting it's okay to like them, Mylo Xyloto does not herald one of those times. We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate. But Coldplay’s fifth album – and most ambitious yet – suggests Martin cares too much not to at least try to help. How do you think Coldplay could have made Mylo Xyloto's story stronger or more meaningful? Coldplay: Mylo Xyloto Review. Martin says Mylo Xyloto was inspired by 1970s New York graffiti and the Nazi-­resistance movement known as the White Rose – it’s probably no coincidence both were about young people embracing art in times of turmoil. Coldplay: Mylo Xyloto – review 3 / 5 stars 3 out of 5 stars. Go behind the scenes with Coldplay in this exclusive video by Pete Ohs, With Imagine Dragons and London Grammar as support, the band’s return showcases new material from their sixth album, Ghost Stories, alongside Clocks and confetti cannons. In the three years since Coldplay’s last album, the world’s problems have gotten a little more urgent. Whether we want to admit it or not, there is a time and a place for the likes of Coldplay. It’s followed by “Up in Flames,” a minimalist slow jam. I think everyone, including Coldplay, wanted Mylo Xyloto to be that album. When I first heard lead single “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall” I thought that Coldplay had another hit on their hands but it wasn’t until I heard second single “Paradise” that I thought of maybe buying the album. AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine [+] Coldplay finally surrender to their essential good nature on Mylo Xyloto, their fifth album and first to ditch all pretense of brooding melancholia. Without wishing to join the motley crew of petitioners who've cried plagiarism at Coldplay over the years, the plot sounds a bit familiar. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Mylo Xyloto is a concept album complete with a short filmic overture, interstitial instrumental pieces called things like A Hopeful Transmission, and recurring lyrical themes, set, as concept albums are legally obliged to be, in a futuristic dystopia: you can tell it's a futuristic dystopia because one of the interstitial instrumentals, M.M.I.X., is helpfully bedecked with the sound of burbling computers. Pop-rock concept record about love is OK for tweens, teens. For one thing, the storyline is flimsy. Go behind the scenes with Coldplay in this exclusive video by Pete Ohs, With Imagine Dragons and London Grammar as support, the band’s return showcases new material from their sixth album, Ghost Stories, alongside Clocks and confetti cannons. But trying to dress it up in big concepts only belies the belief that it's somehow lacking, which leads to its undoing. So much of Mylo Xyloto is awash in synthetic tones, all designed to flash ‘n’ dazzle, that it feels too cheap by its end. As with the claims about the Brian Eno-driven avant-garde inclinations of Viva la Vida, you quickly get the feeling that Coldplay might have been laying it on a bit thick about the pop influence on Mylo Xyloto. © 2020 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. It doesn't stand a chance when pitted against Chris Martin's fearsome arsenal of cliches, generalities and motivational-poster platitudes: over the course of the album, the listener is left in no doubt that that streets aren't really paved with gold, that life goes on and that the sun must set to rise. This album is a much needed escape from reality. Or perhaps it's because whatever accusations you could heave at Coldplay, an inability to write hook-laden melodies isn't really among them, and a hook-laden melody is a movable feast. It's easily the best track here and an undoubted future single... which in itself is a key to why this album isn't quite the success it wants to be. Explicit political statements aren’t really Martin’s thing; he’s in the uplift business. I thought Mylo Xyloto might be that album. Despite Martin's worries, the chances of their vast fanbase suddenly defecting – to Justin Bieber or anyone else – seem pretty slender. All the mega-Coldplay fans, and we should acknowledge that they are many in number, are not going to give a fig what I think about it - and nor should they. Despite Martin's worries, the chances of their vast fanbase suddenly defecting – to Justin Bieber or anyone else – seem pretty slender. Mylo Xyloto has been described as a concept album about romance in dystopia. It certainly has some mighty catchy songs. Without wishing to join the motley crew of petitioners who've cried plagiarism at Coldplay over the years, the plot sounds a bit familiar. Our ratings are based on child development best practices. It’s a partnership that probably came together over champagne brunch at Jay-Z’s, but its synth-fuzz groove is offhandedly seductive. Where did Ziyi Zhang learn to throw knives like that? Review: Coldplay, Mylo Xyloto. It ticks all the appropriate boxes: electropoppiness, just enough credibility to get a pass, and anthemics (although not as many as you'd expect). "The ending is very powerful, and about love conquering all," explained drummer Will Champion, clearly a stranger to the spoiler alert. All rights reserved. Thu 20 Oct 2011 10.30 EDT It certainly never sounds awkward, even when Rihanna shows up on Princess of China, which might actually be the best thing here: a gleaming, tidily done bit of electro-pop. 14 Kids' Music Picks That Won't Drive You Crazy. Among the kids' ranks lurk the two curiously named lovers of the album's title. It's not, on the whole, dislikable; it's just a bit of a mess. © Copyright 2020 Rolling Stone, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC. Some more songs in this vein would be welcome. It ticks all the appropriate boxes: electropoppiness, just enough credibility to get a pass, and anthemics (although not as many as you'd expect). Mylo Xyloto's problem lies with the concept itself. Eleven years on from their multi-platinum debut Parachutes, Coldplay let loose with their latest effort Mylo Xyloto, a colourful and energetic concept album drawing on themes of love and salvation. If you really want to read this, try using The Internet Archive. Wondering if Mylo Xyloto is OK for your kids? As with the claims about the Brian Eno-driven avant-garde inclinations of Viva la Vida, you quickly get the feeling that Coldplay might have been laying it on a bit thick about the pop influence on Mylo Xyloto. Parents and caregivers: Set limits for violence and more with Plus.