Pitchfork have had this really weird system over the past decade where the collective staff will vote on a score, then get an individual writer to do the review. So often the reviews and scores don't match up at all. Case in point with Moon Music. 

6 hours ago, LARD said:

Congratulations! Music really sticks when it’s tied to our life events.

I love your mix of iAM by the way. Do you happen to have it in FLAC? (I’m sure you have more pressing things to worry about but either way it’s a great mix)

I wanna do a proper version that takes more than 5 minutes to throw together. Can't promise it will be soon but when I get around to it I'll upload as high quality as I can. 

Did they pay Cristiano to promote the album or he just likes the album that much ?

20 hours ago, WaddleBurr said:

@Famous Old Painter  @Famous_Old_Painter

Not quite a warm welcome I feel...Too bad. Well I am me and only me and have nothing to do with anyone else with a similar nickname.

Now you can go back to topic.

16 hours ago, gustavothehuman said:

Context is important here: Pitchfork was super indie in the 2000s, they hated anything popular back then.

I agree profoundly with this:

But big emotions needn’t mean simple ones, and childlike wonder doesn’t have to mean regressing to the most banal possible sentiments. That’s when there are sentiments: The words heard most often on this album are “la la,” and around half the songs end in a wordless singalong. When Martin sings, “La-la-lay/That’s all, all I can say” on penultimate track “All My Love,” he’s practically daring someone to go, yes, Chris, we know!

23 hours ago, WaddleBurr said:

@Famous Old Painter  @Famous_Old_Painter

@A Famous Old Painter get in here 

4 hours ago, Famous_Old_Painter said:

Not quite a warm welcome I feel...Too bad. Well I am me and only me and have nothing to do with anyone else with a similar nickname.

Now you can go back to topic.

Sorry, I didn't mean for the joke to be hurtful. I just saw a star wars reference and I thought it would be funny to make it. Welcome back! 

11 hours ago, WaddleBurr said:

Sorry, I didn't mean for the joke to be hurtful. I just saw a star wars reference and I thought it would be funny to make it. Welcome back! 

 

Ok I see, I got it all wrong, sorry. 

I'm totally in love with iAAM. One of their best songs in 15-years time...and it has lyrics everywhere 😉

Well I have different favorites every day from this album, must mean it's good, right?

There's not really any song that I think is horrible, which was the case with MOTS (actually multiple tracks).

I think we can all agree that this LP is much better than MOTS. Which is very positive.

What would have made "Moon Music" one of the band´s four best albums:

- A little but of effort and deepness on Chris´lyrics. The lalalas are completely unnecessary on FLIFIL and "All my love", and the title track, "Karate Kid" and "Man on the moon" show you can talk about simple and basic feelings, things everybody can relate to, without using the vocabulary from a primary child. No need for philosophy at all, but this is shameful.

- I like the transition from the title track to FLIFIL, for real, but don´t like at all that half of the songs have an appendix, and it´s absolutely hurtful after One World. I suppose it´s a gift for the fans, not something that is gonna add anything to the song or the album, but...

- One World could be a perfect closer but I feel like Eno could have gotten more juice from there, but it´s ok, although not as good as Everything´s not lost, Death and all his friends, Coloratura or Amsterdam as closers.

- I would have released Good Feelings as a separate single for the summer, and used that spot with "Man in the moon", for example. By the way, another example of foolish simplistic lyrics, and pretending that this song talks about wars and couples separated by conflicts is ridiculous.  

- 🌈 has divided the critics, because nobody understands (or knows) why would you do a mix of some completely different and unrelated songs and publish it as a song-song. Again, I suppose it´s a gift or a wink to fans, but I guess we would rather have those songs in their complete form. Anyway, it´s the exact opposite of the band that made My Universe, Good Feelings or High Power, so 3 points for our guys for not caring at all.

- "Aeterna" should have stayed as a b-side, but it´s a decision I don´t care about. It´s not a deep and meaningful song, and the lyrics again are as simple as could be, but I love the dancing version of Coldplay. Reminds me a lot of U2´s live version for "I´ll go crazy if I don´t go crazy tonight".

 

Edited October 12, 20241 yr by edupoint

3 hours ago, ToniMoreno said:

I think we can all agree that this LP is much better than MOTS. Which is very positive.

Yes, tho it doesn't have any song as good as Coloratura but it doesn't have a horrible song either, it's like if MOTS and EL had a baby 

5 hours ago, edupoint said:

¿Qué hubiera hecho de “Moon Music” uno de los cuatro mejores álbumes de la banda?

- Un poco de esfuerzo y profundidad en las letras de Chris. Los lalalas son completamente innecesarios en FLIFIL y "All my love", y la canción principal, "Karate Kid" y "Man on the moon" muestran que se puede hablar de sentimientos simples y básicos, cosas con las que todo el mundo se puede identificar, sin usar el vocabulario de un niño de primaria. No hay necesidad de filosofía en absoluto, pero esto es vergonzoso.

- Me gusta la transición de la canción principal a FLIFIL, de verdad, pero no me gusta nada que la mitad de las canciones tengan un apéndice, y es absolutamente doloroso después de One World. Supongo que es un regalo para los fans, no algo que vaya a añadir nada a la canción o al álbum, pero...

- One World podría ser un cierre perfecto, pero siento que Eno podría haberle sacado más jugo a eso, pero está bien, aunque no tan bueno como Everything's not lost, Death and all his friends, Coloratura o Amsterdam como cierres.

- Yo hubiera lanzado Good Feelings como single independiente para el verano, y hubiera usado ese espacio con "Man in the moon", por ejemplo. Por cierto, otro ejemplo de letras simplistas y tontas, y pretender que esta canción habla de guerras y parejas separadas por conflictos es ridículo.  

-  🌈  ha dividido a la crítica, porque nadie entiende (o sabe) por qué harías una mezcla de algunas canciones completamente diferentes y sin relación entre sí y la publicarías como una canción-canción. De nuevo, supongo que es un regalo o un guiño a los fans, pero supongo que preferiríamos tener esas canciones en su forma completa. De todos modos, es exactamente lo opuesto a la banda que hizo My Universe, Good Feelings o High Power, así que 3 puntos para nuestros chicos por no importarles en absoluto.

- "Aeterna" debería haberse quedado como lado B, pero es una decisión que no me importa. No es una canción profunda ni significativa, y la letra es de nuevo tan simple como podría ser, pero me encanta la versión bailable de Coldplay. Me recuerda mucho a la versión en vivo de U2 de "I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight".

 

In general I agree with what you say.

I think the "bonus tracks" that many songs have at the end are small attempts at experimentation. They are a bit reminiscent of EveryDay Life: random things, which break the commerciality that Coldplay has a bit. In the case of Jupiter, I think the "single" version, without that bonus at the end, is much better. In others like One World it doesn't bother me. In Aeterna it does look a little strange.

I really like Alien Hits. It is the counterweight to Good Feelings and Feels Like. The non-commercial point. And the fact that there are two songs grouped together so that it exceeds 6 minutes (Same as One World) I think is a way to give it more weight on the album. If we take the two songs separately, there really isn't that much cut compared to the combined version of the two. I think both would be good b-sides for singles..

On the topic of so much lalalala and simple lyrics I agree. Despite everything, I think it's a good album and that it will age well over the years.

Guys, can anyone share the Moon Music booklet in PDF format? I bought the digital version from the Coldplay store, but unfortunately the email only came with the mp3 files and album art... Thanks in advance!

Edited October 13, 20241 yr by Lisa98

On 10/12/2024 at 3:43 PM, edupoint said:

What would have made "Moon Music" one of the band´s four best albums:

- A little but of effort and deepness on Chris´lyrics. The lalalas are completely unnecessary on FLIFIL and "All my love", and the title track, "Karate Kid" and "Man on the moon" show you can talk about simple and basic feelings, things everybody can relate to, without using the vocabulary from a primary child. No need for philosophy at all, but this is shameful.

- I like the transition from the title track to FLIFIL, for real, but don´t like at all that half of the songs have an appendix, and it´s absolutely hurtful after One World. I suppose it´s a gift for the fans, not something that is gonna add anything to the song or the album, but...

- One World could be a perfect closer but I feel like Eno could have gotten more juice from there, but it´s ok, although not as good as Everything´s not lost, Death and all his friends, Coloratura or Amsterdam as closers.

- I would have released Good Feelings as a separate single for the summer, and used that spot with "Man in the moon", for example. By the way, another example of foolish simplistic lyrics, and pretending that this song talks about wars and couples separated by conflicts is ridiculous.  

- 🌈 has divided the critics, because nobody understands (or knows) why would you do a mix of some completely different and unrelated songs and publish it as a song-song. Again, I suppose it´s a gift or a wink to fans, but I guess we would rather have those songs in their complete form. Anyway, it´s the exact opposite of the band that made My Universe, Good Feelings or High Power, so 3 points for our guys for not caring at all.

- "Aeterna" should have stayed as a b-side, but it´s a decision I don´t care about. It´s not a deep and meaningful song, and the lyrics again are as simple as could be, but I love the dancing version of Coldplay. Reminds me a lot of U2´s live version for "I´ll go crazy if I don´t go crazy tonight".

 

All My Love is what the entire written to fit around it was the first song to have la las too so

On 10/12/2024 at 5:36 PM, Galal said:

Yes, tho it doesn't have any song as good as Coloratura but it doesn't have a horrible song either, it's like if MOTS and EL had a baby 

If Coloratura was the closer instead of One World people would be calling Moon Music one of their best albums 

The reason why Karate Kid wasn't on MM was because it was only finished 2 weeks ago 

2 hours ago, Benjod25 said:

If Coloratura was the closer instead of One World people would be calling Moon Music one of their best albums 

I know i would 

Everytime I understand less why Good Feelings is not released as a single. It is the most radio formula song on the album. I would have put it on the singles list instead of We Pray and All My Love. Also Aeterna would be better as a single than those two. If they have released Good Feelings and Aeterna as singles, they would have smashed the radio lists.

Yeah

 

FLIFIL, Good Feelings, Aeterna,

That would be a better singles release combination 

And then later maybe All My Love as very last single.

Those 4 tracks are also the best ones of the album in my opinion.

9 hours ago, Benjod25 said:

The reason why Karate Kid wasn't on MM was because it was only finished 2 weeks ago 

Really?

5 hours ago, The Philosopher said:

Everytime I understand less why Good Feelings is not released as a single. It is the most radio formula song on the album. I would have put it on the singles list instead of We Pray and All My Love. Also Aeterna would be better as a single than those two. If they have released Good Feelings and Aeterna as singles, they would have smashed the radio lists.

Maybe I´m alone here, but I can´t see Aeterna work out as a successful single. Ok, it´s catchy, urges to dance, but it doesn´t have anything else. I´ve said here that I really like it, but being honest, it doesn´t have the massive end ASFOS has, it could work on clubs at night, but I don´t see it being repeated again and again on the radio.

I'm not usually a big fan of re-doing tracklisting but since the MOTS Era now has two albums and finally some b-sides, I'm going to go ahead and see if I can make MOTS & Moon Music better albums for me. I want to use some of the other leaked songs but won't until they are released.

I wish MOTS committed 100% to the over the top fun pop vibes. I think adding Good Feelings and Aeterna to that album adds not only needed instrumentation from Jonny and Guy, but it brings more of a spacey-dance vibe to the whole album. It would arguably be the best bass album for Coldplay and cut some of the most boring and laborous parts. To balance out the pop, Karate Kid and Coloratura deliver the beautiful classic rock and piano influence of Pink Floyd and Elton John. 

Meanwhile, Moon Music could serve as a more indie/pop and classic Coldplay album. Man in the Moon and The Astronaut would deliver some 80's flair and fun similar to MOTS but be helped by the more organic sounds of Jupter and FLIFL. The rest of the album would largely stay the same and be strengthened by the orchestral and serious sounding songs: Moon Music, One World, Angel Song, Neon Forest. 

I really like We Pray and Biutyful but they just don't serve their albums very well. LSG and Infinity Sign are b-side quality. 

Spoiler

MOTS Volume 1 - From Earth With Love (2021) - more alt rock and classic sounding but still with that space theme but more all out pop as well with Higher Power, Good Feelings and My Universe. Stadium rock with Humankind and POTP balanced with choir vocals and classical piano and strings of Karate Kid and Coloratura. 

1. MOTS/Humankind (combine tracks into a more exciting opener)
2. MOTS III/My Universe feat. BTS and Nile Rogers (add more guitar!) 
3. Karate Kid (a much better piano ballad than LSG, has Coloratura vibes)
4. People of the Pride (Live Recording for better guitar)
5. Human Heart feat. We Are King & Jacob Collier
6. Higher Power with the Love Choir
7. Good Feelings feat Arya Star and Nile Rogeres
8. Aeterna (better and more interesting than Infiinty Sign)
9. Coloratura 

Alien Radio EP w/Jon Hopkins (2023) - Here's a better spot for songs that either feel like b-sides or songs that are sort of goofy and alien sounding. 

1. Infiinity Sign 
2. Biuyitful with live outro
3. MOTS II/Let Somebody Go w/ Selena Gomez
4. We Pray feat. Little Simmz, Burna Boy, Elyana, Tini (released first as single)
5. A Wave

Moon Music (2024) -  Man in the Moon, Jupiter, and The Astronaut give a fun indie rock vibe. FLIFL, iAAM and All My Love give a classic Coldplay sound while One World, Moon Music and Neon Forest/Angel Song serve as a solid backbone of cinematic, orchestral sounds with thematic lyrics. Overall, removing Aeterna and Good Feelings helps keep the lyrics more consistently interesting as well, though admittedly the Astronaut has very simple lyrics.

1. Moon Music
2. FLIFL
3. Man in the Moon
4. Jupiter
5. The Astronaut
6. Neon Forest extended
7. Angel Song extended
8. iAAM
9. All My Love
10. One World

 

 

Album ranking because why not (apologies if there's a specific thread for it)

1. AROBTTH
2/3. VLV/EL - depending on the day
4. MX
5/6. Moon Music/Ghost Stories
7. Parachutes
8.  X&Y
9. AHFOD
10.MotS

To be honest, I think GS/MM/Parachutes will just be moving around each other depending on the day. 



 

 

Moon Music is their best selling album since Viva apparently 

thank you coldplay charts

#1. X&Y — 464,471

#2. Viva la Vida or Death — 302,074*

#3. A Rush of Blood to the Head — 273,924

#4. Moon Music — 237,000

#5. A Head Full of Dreams — 235,975

#6. Mylo Xyloto — 208,343

#7. Ghost Stories — 168,048

#8. Music of the Spheres — 101,045

#9. Everyday Life — 80,974

#10. Parachutes — 70,935

 

* Three days of tracking.