I've been seeing a lot of posts from people who aren't quite sure about how the story line ties together, so I figured I'd help some people out.
This isn't anything concrete, it's just my take on the record and the narrative and I think it might help a few people view the record in a different light.
Here is the story of mylo xyloto:
Hurts Like Heaven:
This sets the scene and pace of the record. There is oppression everywhere. Graffiti is the means of the youth to release energy and express creativity.
Hurts like Heaven is about passion. The metaphor of using a heart as a weapon is an expression of love and hate - two sides of the same coin.
We learn straight away that the narrator feels restricted and oppressed and we learn of the importance of the symbolism of the graffiti. "I'll be armed with a spray can soul". It essentially means that in order to fight negativity you need to be full of life, spontaneity and rebellion.
Paradise:
This introduces the female protagonist. It talks of lost dreams, lost potential and a desire to succeed. But overall, I think Paradise is about hope in a bad situation. You get the sense that the hope is slightly fading, but this girl is holding on to everything she has got and trying to stay optimistic.
Charlie Brown:
This introduces the male protagonist. He is rebellious and full of youthful angst and expression. You get the sense the authority is after him and he continues to find peace through the expression of colour and a "luminous" spirit. There are subtle undertones of drug use and it paints the male lead as someone with a sensitive soul that is attempting to break free through unconventional means.
Us Against the World:
The male and the female meet. They find security between one another and they feed off the hopes they share. They feel stronger than they previously did because they have each other. The two realise that they will face immense hardships but band together with hope and more importantly, love.
Every Teardrop is a Waterfall: This is similar in themes to Us Against the World, but you get the sense that they are starting to be tested by the authorities. They are being hurt, they are being strained - but they use that in order to form something beautiful. They turn their tears into waterfalls and use the oppression to elevate their spirits and unify.
Major Minus:
And this is where things start to change. The authorities start to gain more control. This really introduces what exactly the protagonists are up against. It draws connection to the novel 1984 - where an evil government has control. There is no freedom. There is no creativity. There is censorship and there is surveillance. It doesn't matter what you do, they are watching you. The pressure mounts and mounts and the two lovers start to struggle.
U.F.O:
The male starts to become worried. He's confused, he's lost and he is scared that they won't make it out together unharmed. His confidence from Every Teardrop has started to fade. However he makes a promise to his partner that they will make it out and "find somewhere the streets a paved with gold". He tells her that whilst bad things are happening, you can still find the good in everything.
But you get the sense he isn't so sure.
Princess of China:
The break up. You get the sense that a bit of time has passed and the two are no longer together. The oppression has got the better of them and their previously burning flames have been doused. The female remarks that they could have made it together, they could have been something - but alas, it never happened and they lost the fight.
Up in Flames:
The adrenaline from the break up has started to wear drown and now they have realised that it truly is over. It's that harrowing realisation of the end. The anger and the heat of the moment has passed, and now all that is left is regret and disappointment. They know no song or no piece of creativity will ever stop the burning they feel now they are apart.
A Hopeful Transmission:
This interlude is very important. It makes a change of mindset. The violins sweep upwards and you start to hear a faint heart beat grow louder and louder.
Don't Let It Break Your Heart:
And then, out of nowhere there is an explosion of energy. Something that we hadn't seen since Every Teardrop. The two realise that it's over, they get over it and they realise that they don't have to feel so terribly upset anymore. Yes, things didn't work out but that doesn't mean life can't move forward. They don't let the break up ruin them and they regain the faith they once had.
Up with the Birds:
The male decides its time to move away. He couldn't make it, and whilst he fought hard he decides to leave and try somewhere else. He moves forward with his new found optimism and starts afresh. Maybe he will see her again? Maybe they will regain their spark? Who knows. But he is certain that no matter what happens,
good things are coming their way.