Mylo Xyloto, builds a bridge between yesterday’s rock stars and the urban acts filling the big rooms now, like Kanye West and Jay-Z—both pals of singer Chris Martin. It’s a brilliant gambit because it actually sounds like a natural extension of Coldplay’s big, radio-friendly sound.
Swaddled in synths and gilded by state-of-the-art production, but never too off-putting if you still insist that "real music" is played by men with guitars.
They're consistent, and for those who want another dose of warm, cosy fluff, this will do the trick.
Once more, they bust out a bracing, if slightly ineffective, concept that showcases them at their most idiosyncratic without losing sight of what their audience wants
You quickly get the feeling that Coldplay might have been laying it on a bit thick about the pop influence on Mylo Xyloto.
It's not, on the whole, dislikable; it's just a bit of a mess.
Underneath all the jittery electronic production that on the surface might seem like the band is trying something new, it’s really just a facade for some of their most simplistic writing to date.
They’re attempting to breach their comfort zone, and they’re definitely drilling away here, but it’s questionable whether or not it’s in the right area.
This is the kind of sequel where nothing new is introduced, no great revelations are to be had, and the things that made the previous installment so great are nowhere to be found.
#5 | / | Q Magazine |
#15 | / | Gigwise |
#35 | / | Amazon |
#42 | / | The Fly |