Ok mates, my honest opinion: this is the first "not quite kind of Coldplay" album. It's even strange in some parts, like in the transition from Sunrise to Sunset (quick and senseless...sorry).
My "review" is based more on the music than on lyrics, so I decided not to make any comparison to any previous released album 'til now. Let's do this
It starts beautyfully with such strong harmony on "Sunrise", all those violins (and the anxiety of new Coldplay music helps) give you immediately goosebumps and you thank God for such a magnificent beginning!
The trip goes on with "Church", where you feel a good musical production more than too much imagination on the lyrics...mixed with a eastern/arabian female voice at the choirs that sounds very nice, indeed.
"Trouble in Town" starts with CM whispering at us during two minutes, and after that..the until then quiet music gets "interrupted" by a "radio voice" and it's time for the guitars to strenghten it up...until we hear a child choir in the final last minute lowering it again, this time with without Chris's voice.
"BrokEn" is a ghospel music (???!!???), with church choir repeating what CM says (Oh Lord..Shine a Light on me). Two and a half minutes of "let's pray to the Lord"..
The song that follows is, by far, the most intimate Coldplay puts on the album. For me, it's even the best song of all! I think "Daddy" will rise tears from millions of us, specially those who no longer have their father among us. The melody is soooo profound, the harmony with the piano and CM voice sounds like "it's ok" to accept life like it is, with its losses and our most deepest regards to those who gave us life and we cannot hug or kiss anymore! I lost my father earlier this year, and i can't stop crying when i listen to this...in repeat. Profounding and heartbreaking...but beautiful.
After this you hear "WOTW/POTP" during one minute and you kind of ask: wtf is this? All said.
"Arabesque" was a great surprise for me: i didn't like the song on first hearing, but after several listenings, i have to agree this is a masterpiece, kind of "Grammy-to-be-awarded" theme. Obviously it's not usual to give so much free airtime to saxophone on a Coldplay music, but like i said on the beginning, this album is everything but a Coldplay album we were/are used to.
The next one is a authentic hymn. Sadly short one. "When i need a friend" could and should have been longer than the less than two brilliant minutes of multiple voices choir in ascending melody, almost no instruments, before it ends "interrupted" by a probably old spanish man/voice/speach.
And...that's it. First part of EVERYDAY LIFE is (obviously personally) reviewed. Then comes the "Big Ben" transition between Sunrise and Sunset...and i will post a review about that 2nd part as soon as possible.
Family duties are calling...
Love and Peace to all of you!
FixYou