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Coldplay's fifth studio album, "Mylo Xyloto," hit the streets Oct. 24 with the attitude "It's us against the world." The British alternative rock band has taken a new approach to its unique sound and flavor.
This concept album tells the story of two lovers, Mylo and Xyloto, living in what Chris Martin – lead vocalist, keyboardist and guitar player – calls an "oppressive, dystopian urban environment."
Mylo and Xyloto meet through a gang called "The Lost Boys" and fall in love. The story is told using a mixture of alternative and electronic rock which offers a nice variety from start to finish. By releasing two singles, "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" and "Paradise," before the album dropped, the band gave fans a taste of the album's variety.
"Paradise," the album's second single, tells the story vividly: "When she was just a girl / she expected the world / but it flew away from her reach."
With this album, Coldplay has become more acoustic and intimate. The inspiration behind the album can be seen in the lyrics. "Mylo Xyloto" takes place in what the band describes as an oppressive, dystopian world.
The album is inspired by old-school American graffiti; the White Rose Movement, a non-violent intellectual resistance group in Nazi Germany; and HBO's "The Wire."
R&B sensation Rihanna collaborates with the band, singing vocals alongside Martin in "Princess of China," where she brings a majestic feel to the album that resembles her musical swag.
Although the album received mixed reviews among critics and fans, it demonstrates that a seasoned band can still both compete and change with the tide.
A switched-up musical style and storytelling make this album a must-have for Coldplay fans and music enthusiasts alike.
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