That Coldplay has managed to continue as one of the biggest musical acts of the twenty-first century, despite all the changes in the music industry in specific and the world in general, points to both their appeal and mainstream nature. By this point, they almost verge on inspirational music, liberal hope in the place of religious faith. They might not inspire you, but you can see how they can be enjoyed. Latest release Moon Music exemplifies all this.
Technically the second volume/sequel to 2021 concept album Music of the Spheres (QRO review), Moon lowers the starry concepts for a more straightforward album of Coldplay’s signature hope. Even the relative darkest song, “WE PRAY”, still has the band’s big, orchestral sound (and thankfully brings in guests Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & TINI to do the rapping). This is a band, and an album, that can have a rainbow symbol as the title to a song, while others include “feelslikeimfallinginlove”, “ALL MY LOVE”, and “ONE WORLD”. Singer Chris Martin’s lyrics do verge into the simplistic and treacly, but this the rare rock band that can still regularly do giant spectacle and mean it.
Admittedly, we do need hope now more than ever, and it would be the bad kind of ‘too cool’ hipster-hate that would dump on someone inspired by Coldplay. Just feel happy for those who feel happy because of Coldplay.
