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Album Reviews

Coldplay – “Moon Music” Review

Coldplay - "Moon Music" Review

Like frosted tips and planking, Coldplay records won’t age well. And while millions love them now that they’re a prime concern, few will pledge allegiance once the hype has dyed down. Yet, fair is fair; unlike bad hairdos and weird internet fads, the Coldplay phenomenon has not been a flash in the pan. It’s now lasted for decades.

And the worst thing about it is that the band’s music isn’t even ridiculously bad. That would make it worth talking about. Like the final Phil Collins solo records, these are bland songs made by talented people beloved for their positivity and personal charisma.

“Moon Music” is the latest album from Coldplay, one of the most successful British indie-rock bands of the 2000s. And if Chris Martin can be trusted, it is to be one of the band’s final albums. Take this with a grain of salt. Martin said the exact same thing about “Viva la Vida” back in 2008.

Coldplay - "Moon Music" Review

Soft Rock Bonanza and Pop Trends

The main difference is that back in 2008, Coldplay made undeniably great music. Yes, this was still a group of populists displaying more outward positivity than Bible salesmen. Yes, even when they were unashamedly ripping off songs by Joe Satriani, there was talent on display, and Brian Eno behind the producer’s chair.

“Moon Music” finds Coldplay equally as rich, successful and tanned. It’s the British dream manifested. The positive vibes have done their job. Coldplay is the most prosperous and one of the last noteworthy bands in the world.

And if their music hasn’t quite been spectacular for a long time, nobody of their millions of fans seems to notice.

But just what kind of music does Coldplay make nowadays? Their early albums made that clear. They were Radiohead fans who made guitar-pop ballads. They were the good boys from the right side of the tracks making slightly saccharine indie-rock. Coldplay was the new face of Britain and one of its biggest exports.

By the time of “Moon Music,” Coldplay isn’t tied to a genre. Martin is ready to make any kind of music, provided it has a chance of reaching the charts as if the charts are conjoined to the hearts of the people.

Not even Katy Perry‘s team courts as many trendy sounds and performers to feature on their clients’ songs. The well-intentioned but annoyingly vague anti-war song “WE PRAY” features Burna Boy, Little Simz, Elyanna and TINI. There’s nothing wrong with this but now try to imagine Radiohead or Oasis doing the same thing.

Also, can Coldplay suggest which war we should stop first? That’d make a world of difference, considering their status.

Chris Martin and the Art of Being Vague

And just like Katy Perry’s would-be feminist anthems, Coldplay also has a message. It’s a message of love. Just like a party seeking to reach as many voters as possible, Chris Martin avoids ever getting more specific than that. There’s nothing controversial about this rockstar.

That’s a lot to say about one band. But are the songs any good? Well, no. But, maddeningly, they’re not terrible either and not wholly cynical.

The band’s main single, “feelslikeimfallinginlove”, is all sunshine and positivity. It sounds as if it was made by a 20-year-old who heard The Beatles’ “All You Need is Love” precisely once. There’s nothing wrong with it, except for the fact that it sounds like nearly every pop song on the radio. It also sounds like Coldplay have written this song before.

Even when Coldplay delivers the kinds of songs you’d expect to be sung in the park for loose change, they do so with the gravitas of U2 playing Live Aid. The acoustic-based “Jupiter” and Imagine Dragons’ “iAAM” are more pleasing, middle-of-the-road songs about how great the world is.

There are a couple of attempts at being artsy, too. Without them, this would just be a collection of radio singles. The song titled with a Rainbow emoji and “ONE WORLD” are not badly designed, but the titles make it feel like the band is trying too hard. Will Brian Eno just pick up the phone?

Ok. There’s much worse music on the charts. Ok, it’s clear that Chris Martin doesn’t actually need his bandmates to play instruments on this kind of record, but he has generously asked them along. The moment you decipher what the drummer and guitarist are actually doing here, do let me know.

So, what’s wrong?

The most important question about Coldplay and its music is this: Is Chris Martin as much of a positive thinker as his songs lead us to believe?

There are two possible answers. The first, based on logic, says no. He must either be mad or a total cynic. Nobody is that much in love. Even John Lennon, the guy who wrote “All You Need Is Love”, used to talk dirty and smack people around.

The second, based on the band’s enduring success, tells us that Martin has cracked the code. Wish it, dream it, turn it into reality. Now, if only the songs were better.

About author

Eduard Banulescu is a writer, blogger, and musician. As a content writer, Eduard has contributed to numerous websites and publications, including FootballCoin, Play2Earn, BeIN Crypto, Business2Community, NapoliSerieA, Extra Time Talk, Nitrogen Sports, Bavarian FootballWorks, etc. He has written a book about Nirvana, hosts a music podcasts, and writes weekly content about some of the best, new and old, alternative musicians. Eduard also runs and acts as editor-in-chief of the alternative rock music website www.alt77.com. Mr. Banulescu is also a musician, having played and recorded in various bands and as a solo artist.
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