Review: Coldplay – Ghost Stories

Certain experiences are universal enough to warrant full concept albums when they occur. In this case, Coldplay’s sixth studio album, Ghost Stories, embraces the quintessential moment when a relationship comes to an end. Calm, ethereal and incredibly cerebral, the album is reportedly inspired by the trauma experienced during the ‘conscious uncoupling’ of Coldplay front man Chris Martin and wife of ten years, actress Gwyneth Paltrow. The album is otherworldly and acoustic-oriented, a departure from the production and sound of 2011’s Mylo Xyloto. Ghost Stories is a less pop-centric and more personal listening experience for Coldplay followers. The lyrical content is simple and easy to digest, though it leaves a bit to be desired in the way of lyricism considering the record’s melancholy theme. However, Martin’s falsetto and howls on songs like ‘True Love’ and ‘Midnight’ lends an authenticity that is refreshing. It should be added that there is something inherently voyeuristic that comes with listening to inner the deliberations of someone whose marriage has recently and very publically ended, even if they are set to music and produced for mass consumption. But often a musical artist’s best works, if not their masterpiece creations, are created out of the circumstance of heartbreak. And we listen to their pain as we go through our own failed relationships from time to time.

The album, packaged with original artwork by Mila Fürstová, features frequent Coldplay collaborator, Jon Hopkins, as well as guest producers Avicii, Timbaland and Madeon. ‘Always in my head’ draws on the sound of celestial chanting that is later colored by guitar before the bass drops you into the meditative tone heard throughout the album. ‘Magic’, the album’s lead single, is contemplative while being slightly more upbeat, yet the album’s character and mood is fully present. ‘Another’s Arms’ embraces a feminine pulse while ‘Oceans’ dreamily incorporates the sound of a submarine sonar beep, waves and church bells produced into the soft acoustic guitar track. The familiar vibe of ‘A Sky Full of Stars’ delivers the one legitimate dance hit on the record, with all the makings for an extended club mix following the single’s success.

The final track on the album is simply entitled ‘O’, and solidifies the concept of lost love for the listener in the most relatable way. It is a song of acceptance. Accepting that for many, love does not last forever. Acceptance that maybe one day it will return again with the person with whom it was once fruitful. It is short and poignant, and speaks of soaring through time with the hope that ‘maybe one day I’ll fly next to you… maybe one day I’ll come fly with you’. Every breakup album needs to remind the listener of this type of acceptance that simultaneously facilitates the need for closure and the hope of rekindling. The final track contains a minute long reprise of the first song on the album, which may also serve as a metaphor of revisiting a relationship once it has come to an end. Ghost Stories, while chronicling the loss of love, really explores love’s capacity. Vulnerable and deeply moving considering the insight of the album’s backstory, it is definitely worth the listen.

 
Written by Mai Perkins

Originally from Los Angeles, Mai Perkins is currently living a decade long bona fide love affair with NYC and the music that keeps its spirit moving. Many of her adventures around the globe are documented on her blog: Mai On The Move! www.MaiOnTheMove.com

 
Author’s rating for Ghost Stories

Pop Magazine’s official rating for Ghost Stories

Rating key
MASTERPIECE a must-have
SUPERB for heavy rotation
EXCELLENT a great achievement
VERY GOOD a respectable result
GOOD worth checking out
FAIR an average outcome
WEAK not convincing stuff
BAD an underwhelming effort
VERY BAD quite a waste
FAIL a total failure