Coldplay's collaboration with Rihanna on 'Princess Of China' was leaked onto the internet this morning by an unknown source, so it's probably no surprise that the rest of Mylo Xyloto soon followed from someone in the world calling themselves "BriBerY".
As soon as it did, along came the expected wave of Coldplayer reviews - some good, some bad, some indifferent. Whatever your thoughts - please remember to pre-order it ahead of next week's worldwide release! Read on for some of your first impressions of the new album - and if you feel you are ready and able to - we'd love you to rate it on our sliding scale poll to the right of your screen and also here in the first impressions thread. (Please note there are no download links to the album on Coldplaying - so don't ask!) You can read and join in with more discussion on the new album at the Mylo Xyloto forum now, and if you refuse to listen to MX and you're waiting for the release date then here is the place to go! [uPDATE: We've smashed the most users online messageboard record! Thanks everyone for visiting!]
After one complete listen the tracks which stood out for me were 'Charlie Brown', 'Princess of China', 'Up in Flames' and 'Don't let it break your heart'. I've (obviously) heard 'Us against the world' and 'Major Minus' before, but in the context of the album they seem different somehow, and I think they'll grow on me. The only track (of the "proper" ones anyway) that i'm slightly indifferent to at the moment is "U.F.O", but it may improve with repeat listens. The only disappointment for me is "Hurts like Heaven". The vocals at the start are wimpy and "thin" sounding, yes, it does build up slightly, but it lacks the immediate "punch" the live version seems to have. But apart from that, I think it's a pretty brilliant album. [thanks xyloto]
But I have to say, I find MX to be really disappointing on my first two listens. I just don't like the pacing of the songs (the random acoustic tracks that don't really add to the album, and clash with the overall musical style). The production is overdone and compressed. And well, I just don't find most of the songs to be all that impressive from a writing point of view. I really hate being negative. I'm one of those people that loved Viva La Vida, and have praised the band for continuing to grow and evolve. But this feels like a misstep. Then again, I need to listen more. So that's why I'm holding off on scoring. [thanks Letterbomb]
So, now I listened also. And all I have to say: MIND-BLOWING! I would't have any problem to say that it is a shit album but I can clearly say that this is a masterpiece. Its up there with Viva and AROBTTH maybe also a bit better but its too soon to consider it. Mastepiece! I love it! Thanks Coldplay, thanks Brian Eno (for the lovely vocal effects which are always in the right order and fitting the topic well). [thanks Major_Love]
I've listened to it twice so far... It was better than I expected after everything we've been put through (I was expecting it to be a waste of megabites tbh). But it's not Coldplay's best work at all. Everyone that has termed this a masterpiece are probably the same type of person that would term 'The Resistance' as Muses' best album or something (oh I'm stereotyping, get me). I'd say that it is their worst album to date; but it's still significantly better than what a lot of artists are putting out these days. It's the final four tracks that actually make this album for me. I love every single one of them, they're beautiful and sublime. And they're more to what I had expected from this album. Despite the repetitive chorus in 'Up In Flames' I find it really endearing and I can see it being one of those 'let's have a moment to all get our phones out and Coldwave again'. I reckon it will be beautiful live. Overall if I could judge the album on the last segment I'd give it a 9/10 (maybe even a 10/10 because it's that stunning). But because you can't and there's more to the album than those tracks, the shine has been taken off... I'd say it was a 6.5/10. Solid, nice enough album... But not the masterpiece people have been calling it and there have been far better albums this year. [thanks Nattatouille]
After downloading the leak I'm considering not buying the album and even deleting most of this. Its boring, its overproduced, and there are only a few standout songs. Other than those its actually too much. I don't mind electronics or a bit of fancy tech but with PoC its just so layered on that you can barely hear the song, and Rhianna is freaking pointless and sounds so out of place that you feel bad for her. She's like the hot girl who lost a bet and now is uncomfortable at the dance with the dorky kid in danger of being a perpetual virgin. I'm just frustrated with Coldplay right now. After 2 amazing albums and 2 good albums they should be able to deliver still, but now they're in the 'hit and miss' stage of writing and that freaks me out because that means their relevance is on the way out. Sorry boys, this may be the last album I listen to from you. [thanks a_scientist]
Love it!!! full review to come - but man - it really is an amazing album, they truly are a blessing and a gift from nature/god/etc. - viva la Coldplay! Love MX/HLH (like it live though more than studio at present, mix off for some reason), Paradise, CB (wow!!), UATW (so glorious/grand), MMIX into ETIAW (what beauty), MM, UFO (parachutes homage), POC (amazing!), UIF (one of my new favorites, didn't like initially), AHT (beautiful interlude), i'll be honest DLIBY hasn't caught me fully yet (feel like it's x&y esque and trying to be a bit like the 2nd half of Death and all his friends for some reason), UATB (interesting, still digesting it, but like it). But overall - amazing album, love the evolution of coldplay. [thanks bdevil89]
Charlie Brown <3 DLIBYH <3 Had the album on repeat for the past few hours and I have to say I like it a lot! Am agreeing about PoC, Rihanna has too much lines in it. If the 'couldve been a princess' would be sung by Chris it would be a lot better I think. A Hopeful Transmission mesmerizes me for some reason and it fits perfectly with DLIBYH. HLH is slightly disappointing, thanks to the production. This album is in my opinion a better cohesive album then VLV, although I loved that album as well. For now I ain't able to say that I don't like any of the songs. It scores a 9/10 to me =) [thanks LoversInJapan]
There are pros and cons for me. This is a solid album with some truly beautiful songs but too much electronic going on, we dont hear Chris's voice enough.. They should have sticked to an acoustic album, not over produced songs.. And last but not least: Moving To Mars SHOULD HAVE been on that album. Period. [thanks vitaamine]
I just listened to it. It's a solid album, but I consider it their worst album. There's WAY too much production put into some of the songs, like "Hurts Like Heaven" (which was my favorite live track from the album besides "Charlie Brown"). "Princess of China" did impress me, but I still consider it decent (not enough Chris and not enough actual Coldplay with their instruments). Despite all this, however, I was really digging "U.F.O" and the last 4 tracks on the album, especially "Don't Let It Break Your Heart". For the people who say that it's a masterpiece though, I just want to ask you why? What makes this better than "Parachutes" and "A Rush of Blood to the Head", which are considered their masterpiece albums and put up with some of the greatest albums of all time (AROBTTH was ranked in the Top 100)? I'm not attacking your opinions of MX, I just want to know what makes you think it's so "groundbreaking". [thanks ImNotChrisMartin]
I have just listened the album and I have to say it's amazing! The new songs are great and even Paradise and ETIAW, on which I had my comments, sure do fit in the album as a whole. I really liked the songs Up In Flames and up With The Birds. Coldplay still has that magic in them to perfectly deliver these beautiful songs. A great album, not as great as AROBTTH but it still met up to my expectations, maybe even above that. My grade: 8.5/10. [thanks Sebazz1994]
Let me first say that my expectations for this album were lowered a lot this morning after I heard 'Princess of China',and really did not like it (I know that I'm one of the very few). But I must say I'd give the album about an 8.5/10, I think most of the tracks are great. Favourites so far are 'Hurts Like Heaven' and 'Don't Let It Break Your Heart'. [thanks Fairycat101]
I'm not a huge Coldplay fan. I love VLV and some songs of their previous albums and, although I own all them, I haven't listened a lot of their first stuff. So my opinion parts from VLV sound, which I really love. Well... talking about Mylo Xyloto, I think there's not a 10/10 song on it because it is overproduced. That doesn't mean it's a bad album - the opposite, it's really good. I really like Paradise (and I did since the first moment), Charlie Brown, UATW (the best one), ETIAW, UFO, DTIBYH and UWB. I don't like PoC, I think it's a cool song but I don't like the fact Rihanna is in it. Ok, it was ment to be a duet, blablabla, but I can't avoid it... f*ck Rihanna and her false recorded voice (100% autotune...). I would have preferred Mylo Xyloto to be a fresher album. If it was rawer, it would have been better. Anyway I still have to discover the songs, their sounds, understand them... So this opinion can change. [thanks Kristalain]
Not a masterpiece no. The inclusion of Para and ETIAW ensures that for me. But there were moments that gave me goosebumps and moments the evoked emotion and I was petrified I wouldn't get that from this album. Not their best, but a solid album. The final three songs are sublime. [thanks Mimixxx]
You know what? This album kind of reminds me of the Prospekt's March EP and Christmas Lights with what style they were teasing on those respective releases. DLIBYH is like a cross between a song off X&Y (maybe a b-side like Thing's I Don't Understand but more cheery), Glass of Water and a louder version of The Escapist. [thanks ChadBC]
I just listened to the whole album and I got to say it's amazing even in comparison to the other CP records. It's just so different so full of energy. Great, great album ! Stand outs .. for me Hurts Like Heaven, Charlie Brown, ETIAW ( yeah you read that right ), Up in Flames and Us Against the World ... those are my favourites so far. But rest is very good too. One of their best albums definitely if not the best. THANK YOU COLDPLAY !! [thanks Ravenor]
I enjoy the cohesiveness of albums. Viva was a welcome and major improvement to X&Y for which I'm grateful but it lacked a common thread throughout the record. MX definitely has a common sound and a story woven throughout the songs so I'm very excited. I think this could be their best since A Rush of Blood. Of course, ROB and Parachutes are very dear to me but I think we tend to romanticize the past and perhaps that's why they mean so much and why we yearn for that sound again. I'm excited for new and different material and from what I've heard they've done a fantastic job this time around. [thanks SamH]
I feel that this may tie my favorite album (Viva). The issue I had with Viva was that it wasnt a comprehensive album...which is something I really like. Viva had some of the best overall quality music, but the record could have been arranged a little better. Although MX may not have the best tracks (they are still really good in my opinion) they are supposedly ordered into a comprehensive album which is meant to be heard from start to finish. I love to throw a CD in the car and drive while listening to a whole album. I do not like an album that is a collection of songs that are really not related. I will always keep classic Coldplay close to my heart because that is what I fell in love with originally, but their new music is something special. The beats (PoC), the catchiness (HLH) the depth (CB). I feel that MX might be Coldplay's best overall album effort...and that is why I am stoked for this album. [thanks TheSkittz]
I’ve only listened twice, but everything sounds so much better in context. Which I figured would happen, and which is what I was hoping for. I still don’t think this is their best work in my personal opinion, just because it’s not “my style” so much, but leave it to Coldplay to make something completely different to what I usually listen to and hope for and still impress me. Right now, I’m thinking 6.5 or 7/10, even though I hate ranking things out of ten. As a whole piece of work, it’s great. There are several things and moments I would have done differently, but Eno and I don’t really see eye-to-eye on lots of things, so that’s OK. I always go on the low side when I first hear albums I’m greatly anticipating, though, because I have a fear of being too overly generous at first in excitement (which I’ve done before). I think this will end up being firmly between a 7 and an 8 for me, which is…astonishing, given what I expected. And the fact that there are still only two dud songs (which sound much better on the album than as singles) is a great thing, for any band, any album. [thanks ApproximatelyInfinite]
The ride was a good ride, but the ride was too fast. Way too fast for me to understand and appreciate it as a concept album. The production made it feel rushed and I do not remember a single moment of genuine intimacy, that Coldplay are so famous for providing. I was very disappointed as to how 'Mylo Xyloto', 'M.M.I.X', 'A Hopeful Transmission' and even 'Don't Let It Break Your Heart' to some extent, were limited to repeating the same motif. 'DLIBYH' was hardly the original, anthemic masterpiece I was expecting; I would describe it as a heavily reverberated Glass of Water. And the rest; with such interesting titles, it was the wrong decision to make them sound the same. Although the festival songs were great, the unfortunate repetition with the rest of the album led me to believe that the album suffered from not exploring enough musical ideas. I was misled when I thought the creativity in the festival songs, indicated the creativity of the album as a whole. The unknown section of the album simply wasn't enough. Take out the festival songs, and Mylo Xyloto is rubbish. [thanks birdman987]
I listened through MX now... and I felt like I was in another world for 44 minutes. In my opinion its a brilliant concept album and its exactly what Coldplay wanted to do. Those things some of you call "overproduced" just fit in perfectly and its just what MX is or wants to be. Are there fans out there who think the same? Im in a hype right now, but I think its as brilliant as all other albums... just better as a full album because it fits in so perfectly...every song...everything. wow. [thanks GTskilled]
More Coldplayer reviews to follow...!
October 2011: Your One-Stop-Shop for Coldplay Info! [thanks ApproximatelyInfinite]
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