Music Bloggery: Mylo Xyloto

Coldplay released the official video for 'Princess of China' featuring Rihanna. When I first heard the song, I was surprised to find that Rihanna wasn't using all her power to show-off her vocal range or to overpower the song. I believe Chris Martin and Rihanna's voice merge well together - you have the low bass tones of Martin with the background harmony of Rihanna.

However, when I first heard the two were collaborating, I was not too happy. Of course, Coldplay have always been an extremely popular, mainstream band. But when I heard that Rihanna, (some would say an even bigger R&B star) was featuring on the track I was slightly disappointed because to me, it shows that Coldplay are trying hard to reach a genre of music that just isn't them, that they're almost begging for new fans when they have millions already. There was really no need to stick Rihanna on the album. Oh wait, there was one reason - money.

In terms of the music video, it seems a mish-mash of different stereotypes that just fails to achieve an end point, really. Check it out below.

Disagree with anything? Comment below!

★★★★

Coldplay are a Grammy award winning British indie band, forming in University College London by
lead guitarist Jonny Buckland and frontman Chris Martin in 1996. The band introduced themselves to the world with the release of their debut album 'Parachutes' (2000). It was in this album that they then released the song that would make them one of the most popular bands in the world - 'Yellow'.

Their new album however, Mylo Xyloto (pronounced my-low zye-low-toe) is anything far from yellow. Its colourful album art summarises the whole theme and tone of the album itself. Songs like 'Don't Let It Break Your Heart' and 'Hurts Like Heaven' feature beautiful melodies and hooks that are synonymous of Coldplay. Part of the reason I personally love this album is because a new story is unraveled for each new song. Chris Martin explained how he and the band wanted a more cheerful theme on this album, and despite a few exceptions, this is completely true. 'Up In Flames' is the only exception to this, and I believe that it just might be the new 'The Scientist'. The song has an extremely simplistic harmony yet it works ever so well, especially when combined with Martin's reassuring, calming voice.

My undeniable favourite song on this album HAS to be 'Paradise'. After listening to it just once, you're hooked and you want more. The chorus is incredibly catchy, and the background harmonies have you reaching for the play button once again. Another reason why this song is my personal favourite is because of the deep meaning - it can be interpreted in so many ways, and it's such a beautiful meaning. 'When she was just a girl, she expected the world, but it flew away from her reach, so she ran away in her sleep, and dreamed of para-para-paradise.' Like I said before, a new story is unraveled, and it's done in such a beautiful way. Mat Whitecross, the director of the 'Paradise' music video has created such a great concept and idea and constructed it so well. It is definitely a must watch! (See link below)

Now I know some of you may dislike Coldplay because they're TOO 'middle class' (by the term middle class, I mean they can come across quite posh, rich and snobby to some) and uppity since Martin married Paltrow, but haven't they always been middle class? If you watch the music video for 'Yellow' you'll see they are quite middle class, although they don't show it immediately. Many people hate Martin for his donations to society and helping the less fortunate as they see it as his way of being pretentious, but if you look deeper, you'll realise that Martin is so humble and genuinely helping the less fortunate. If a person is doing a good deed, why should they be judged for it?

Coming back from my tangent, although I may seem as if I worship this album, I do not. The reason I have awarded this album only 4/5 musicos is because it lacks something for me. There is some sort of void that is not being filled. Their previous 2008 release, 'Viva La Vida and Death To All His Friends' was a truly amazing album, which seemed to have perfected and mastered all aspects of music. Mylo Xyloto however, seems to lack the Coldplay touch whatever 'it' is. It seems somewhat of an experimental album. Of course, that is no crime, but if you're leaving your fans waiting for the best part of 3 years, you should give them a little more worth waiting for. Songs such as 'Princess of China' are good, but the fact that they've featured Rhianna in the song speaks for itself. They're not content with having their worldwide indie fanbase and being one of the most popular bands in the world, they want to get even more of a mainstream fanbase. Yes, Coldplay have always been mainstream, but they weren't trying to be - the masses just loved their music! Now, it seems almost as if they know they are and don't really care. Correct me if I'm wrong - feel free to leave a comment.

If you're a new Coldplay-er I recommend listening to 'The Scientist', 'Viva La Vida', 'Yellow' and 'Fix You'.

Angeli recommends: 'Paradise', 'Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall', 'Hurts Like Heaven', 'Up In Flames', 'Don't Let It Break Your Heart'

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