OK to begin with I'd like to say I'm a big fan of the evolving Coldplay and I think it helps them as friends and as a band stay healthy and happy with each other. Maybe this is because I became a big fan during the Mylo era or just cause I like fun music. Whatever the reason I love the changes.
I would then like to say I love this album
Listening to Ghost Stories for the first time left me unfulfilled and a little disappointed. I missed two or three tracks that just would have given the album more substance. I came to love Ghost Stories but I still feel this way about the album. However, this is not a Ghost Stories review.
A Head Full of Dreams
What an opener. Listening to this on the Tidal stream gave me instant excitement. It delivers a lot of energy, excitement and joy to the listener (or me at least) and it always makes me want to listen to the rest of the album. The Oooohs don't bother me, it's a popular technique and I think it's executed well. Johnny's guitar is not buried in my opinion and I love it, great to hear Guy slapping the bass and I think Will's drums are killer too (as always).
Birds
To be honest, it's my tied favourite with Army of One. It has a great funky beat to it, the chorus is what I wouldn't expect to hear from Coldplay as far as sound and lyrics and how those lyrics are delivered but it is real great to listen to and I was so pleasantly surprised. Johnny, mate you and your guitar are amazing. Again, Guy has a strong bass presence which I love as well. The lyrics are nice and pleasant too.
Hymn for the Weekend
A tiny bit shocked when I first heard the lyrics of this song to begin with. But in context they're absolutely fine. Beyonce has a good balance in there, it isn't a Duet and it sure as heck doesn't feel like it either which I like. Piano is great, Will's drums great and I absolutely love the brass instruments on this track. It's a great single, not my favourite Coldplay song by any means but it's very fun to listen too and I can't imagine how much fun it'll be live.
Everglow
This was the ballad Ghost Stories was looking for. It's got a great message to it and I love that I can hear everyone contributing to this song, something I struggled to hear in some Ghost Stories tracks. Great to listen to and the lyrics are really meaningful. It feels like a song of peaceful lament, something that is hard to describe and I think it's a unique human emotion that's hard to express but it's done perfectly here.
Adventure of a Lifetime
So much fun, me and my mate have had so much fun just listening to and attempting to dance to this one. Sure the lyrics might not be that strong but the music makes up for it and it's kinda the point of the song, it's to dance to and I actually think the lyrics are great to sing with as well. If you want deep lyrics read a poem. Lets have some fun with music.
Fun
A great duet. I can't really fault it. Again to me it's more musically and lyrically fulfilling than, what I feel are it's Ghost Stories counterparts, Ink and True Love combined. I really enjoy listening to it and the sense of hope that it gives with the final lyrics. Never heard Tove Lo before, I think she's bigger in the US than here in AUS, but she was perfect and well balanced great on this song.
Kaleidoscope & Colour Spectrum
Grouped both the interludes together cause there's only so much you can say.
I like Kaleidoscope a lot. As an interlude it's great, Poem is great, piano is sold, Barack Obama: 10/10
Colour Spectrum... eh
Army of One
Was greatly surprised by this. Did not expect such a solid song from it but it's great. The Chris backing thing doesn't bother me and it's got a great euphoric feel to it. I love how the organ/synth things kick in during the intro and I think the lyrics are quite good and I love listening to it. Again it just makes me feel happy. Kind of a trend on the album.
X Marks the Spot
Oh this song makes me giggle. It's a solid effort. I don't think it's awful, but then I don't love it either. It's kinda eh but it's funny to listen to haha
Amazing Day
Another happy song, got some real substance to it's lyrics I feel. I think the bridge is one of the best part of the song and it's gonna sound great with 50,000 people belting it out in a stadium.
Up&Up
Like it, don't love it. Still nothing has knocked Amsterdam from it's place as my favourite closer, DAAOHF came close but no. I do like the hat tip to Ghost Stories in the ending. It sounds kinda like the O reprise. I see what Chris means by saying it's the completion of something. It's a good song.
Conclusion
I love this album and I'm glad I bought it... twice. I think it's Coldplay at their best and I can't wait to see them live. And if you're reading this Coldplay, can you pls come to Adelaide, thanks.