I genuinely think this could be their best album ever. From the electrifying 'Hurts Like Heaven' down to the slower 'Up in Flames' or 'Us Against the World', this really is Coldplay at their absolute best. 'Paradise' is reminiscent of massive hits like 'Clocks' and 'Speed of Sound', while the addictive 'Charlie Brown' gets better every time I listen to it. They have teamed up with Rihanna to produce 'Princess of China', potentially opening up a whole new fanbase in the process, and this might even suggest that, like with Jay-Z on their last tour, Rihanna may share their gigs (I somehow doubt she would accept being the 'support' act!). True, there is no new 'Fix You' or 'The Scientist', but perhaps that's because those songs are so superb in themselves that any attempt to recreate them would be futile.
Most importantly, this album adds a vital element to the band's repertoire as a whole. Critics have branded their music as being too slow, too emotional, and, frankly, a little depressing. 'Viva La Vida' attempted, in part, to move away from this, although the decision to jointly name the album 'Death and all his Friends' rather betrayed that. But there can be no doubting that this is a faster and more upbeat Coldplay. This album is the missing link. It is the energy that some argue has been lacking from the band's earlier work. And credit to them - the critics laid down the gauntlet, and Chris, Johnny, Guy and Will have responded in breathtaking fashion. Yet crucially, they haven't been swayed by those critics into producing more mainstream music. The real brilliance of Mylo Xyloto is that it covers new ground for the band, but does so in a way that is so distinctly Coldplay. No-one else could have written these songs.
I have been excited about this album since the Glastonbury performance, where old and new songs blended together seamlessly to produce one of the greatest sets I've listened to. There was a danger, however, that the album would be a bit of an anti-climax, that the other tracks would fail to live up to those that had been selected for the festival shows. Yet any concerns were ill-founded. From beginning to end, it is a masterpiece. For those yet to listen, do so, you won't regret it. And for those who have, I hope you have enjoyed, and continue to enjoy it, as much as I do.
