Well, would you look at that… Coldplay’s back and so am I! Any surprises there? Of course not, I need to express every emotion I’ve been feeling in regards to the release of their new album.
For those of you that don’t live on planet earth are unaware, Coldplay released their 6th LP, Ghost Stories this past Monday. Yes, there has been a lot of promo that I should have started discussing before the actual release. But let’s take a top-down instead of a bottom-up approach with this album, shall we?
To get the ball rolling, I’m going to review each track one by one from the album, day by day. Please bare in my mind that I am no professional music reviewer. In fact, this may not even qualify as an album review. It’s simply, direct insight into my thoughts during my first few listens of the album. This is strictly personal and just for fun!
Track 1 – Always In My Head
The track starts off with some muffled choir sounds. This follows a trend Coldplay has had since Viva La Vida where they open their albums using instrumental music (Ex: Life in Technicolor and Mylo Xyloto). I find this technique especially effective, because it almost forces the listener to instantly escape from life around them and jump into the separate world of the album. By the time the bass of the actual song kicks in, there’s a minor part of your brain that’s already been hypnotized by the sounds presented to you thus far. That feeling you get when the bass kicks in and Jonny’s guitar echo’s in your ear is realization of that idea. The idea, that you’ve already given a piece of your mind to this album less than a minute into it.
There is so much emotion in Jonny’s guitar riff right from the get go, that you know you’re going to be hit with something good. The bass only deepens that idea. But then, the lyrics start…
“I think of you… I haven’t slept…”
Not the most thought provoking idea in the world, is it? I won’t lie and pretend that I wasn’t disappointed with that. But, I’ll leave it at that for now.
As the song continues, it seems like Chris is simply talking to his audience. Then, suddenly there’s a glimmer of desperation in his voice during the second verse (“And so my mouth waters to be fed”). This causes the disappointment to quickly morph into curiosity when bamn, you’re hit with the chorus.
“You’re always in my head…”
That’s when you realize… that’s when you realize, that this is real and raw and genuine. This isn’t about you, it’s about him and what he has to say to the world – about his heartbreak and his life. He IS talking to his audience. He’s not trying to be profound or life-changing, he’s simply being honest and transparent. I’ve always wanted to know what goes on inside that head of is (Slight Pun Intended!) and I’m finally getting an in… there is no turning back now, even if I wanted to.
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Fav Lyric: “My body moves, goes where I will. But though I try, my heart stays still.”
Fav Component: Jonny’s guitar line – hands down! Super infectious, gets stuck in your head instantly. Guy’s bass is a sure winner on this track too!
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What did you think of the opening track?
coldplayy 