DT Music Pick: Coldplay

By Kelly Montgomery October 27, 2011

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Coldplay “Mylo Xyloto”

For fans of: Keane, U2, The Temper Trap

We will start by saying that yes, we know you’ve heard of Coldplay before — this isn’t some unknown band that we are urging you to give a quick listen and a first chance. We happen to think the British band’s new album (out a few days ago) is worthy of noting here, but if you’re not a Coldplay fan already, we don’t expect you to do a 180 when you hear Mylo Xyloto. The album is a sort of departure for Chris Martin’s band, delving deeply into the pop realm and revolving around the concept world of a futuristic dystopia. Martin sings of youth uprising, a disaster world, love (of course), and the band even gives us a few danceable tracks, which is something distinctly new for Coldplay.

Even with the addition of synth and beat-heavy hooks, radio-friendly lyrics, and guest vocals by superstar Rihanna (on “Princess of China”), the same Coldplay you’ve always loved is still there. Chris Martin still sings in sweeping generalities and the band’s signature soft-rock sound is still somewhere to be found, with the addition of some catchy U2-influenced guitar riffs that give the songs just enough rock edge. While we’re not totally sold on the concept album idea, there are plenty of great songs here, from fresh, shamelessly catchy songs like “Paradise,” “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall,” and “Major Minus,” to quieter tunes like “Us Against the World” and “Up in Flames.” The album is bound to be divisive thanks to its pop leanings, but we like where the band has taken us — we might even have a few songs on repeat.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Music

Kelly Montgomery

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Kelly Montgomery is a magazine journalism graduate from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications…

Smart Home

The best music hacks for the Amazon Echo

Echo Show 5 in the kitchen

Speakers like the Amazon Echo Plus or the top-tier Echo Studio can unleash your favorite tunes with room-filling sound. An Echo is great for parties, house-cleaning sessions, cooking, or just setting some relaxing mood music (add a smart display, and even more possibilities open up).

Even if you’ve been using your Echo device to listen to music, you may not know everything an Echo can really do. These hacks will ensure you aren’t missing out on all the Echo has to offer.
Let Alexa quiz you about your next playlist

Smart Home

This BLUETTI portable power station is truly weatherproof

Man using BLUETTI AC240 portable power station while camping to cook

It seems like we're covering a new BLUETTI launch here at Digital Trends every month, but that's okay. Thanks to the brand's excellent products, innovative advancements, and great features, people all over can access reliable power. Its latest launch, the BLUETTI AC240, is an IP65-rated weatherproof portable power station that delivers a comprehensive energy solution for outdoor enthusiasts, first responders, and beyond. Protected against dust, water, and elements, this expandable station creates an uninterrupted power source in any environment at any time. Moreover, it empowers users to stay connected, even with power-hungry devices, to tackle demanding tasks regardless of the current weather, environment, or location. Right now, you can save big by taking advantage of Early Bird pricing.
Buy Now

Why you should buy the BLUETTI AC240 all-weather portable power station

Imagine for a moment that you're camping with your family, hiking through the great outdoors, or even taking a long, scenic road trip through the countryside. In all of these situations, even when you're off-grid, you'll still need reliable access to power to charge your phone and tablet(s) and power up other electronics -- like a coffee maker when you wake up in the morning. Of course, power stations and power outlets don't exist randomly out in the wild. You could use your vehicle, but that will drain the battery and, in some cases, still won't provide enough power for what you want to do. Cue the BLUETTI AC240 portable power station and devices like it.

Smart Home

Snag this Roomba robot vacuum while it’s discounted to $180

iRobot Roomba 694 at Best Buy - WiFi connected robot vacuum

If you're on the hunt for robot vacuum deals because you think you need help from one of these cleaning devices to keep your floors spotless, you should head on over to Crutchfield where the iRobot Roomba 694 is available at $95 off. From its original price of $275, you'll only have to pay $180, which is an excellent price for all of the conveniences that you'll get from this machine. We're not sure how much time is remaining before this offer expires though, so you better hurry and complete your purchase while you can still pocket the savings.

Why you should buy the iRobot Roomba 694 robot vacuum
For its relatively affordable price, the iRobot Roomba 694 offers most of the important features that you would expect from a robot vacuum. It comes with a three-stage cleaning system that includes an edge-sweeping brush, roller brushes, and powerful vacuum suction. You'll be able to control the device through the iRobot Home app on your smartphone or using voice commands through smart home devices that are powered by Google Assistant or Amazon's Alexa. Once the iRobot Roomba 694 is done, or when its battery runs low in the middle of cleaning, it will automatically returns to its base station for recharging.