Hello Friend

Quote

25th October 2011

“Coldplay’s followup to 2008’s biggest-selling album is a curious thing. On the one hand, it aims for a certain ponderous gravitas. Mylo Xyloto is a concept album complete with a short filmic overture, interstitial instrumental pieces called things like A Hopeful Transmission, and recurring lyrical themes, set, as concept albums are legally obliged to be, in a futuristic dystopia: you can tell it’s a futuristic dystopia because one of the interstitial instrumentals, M.M.I.X., is helpfully bedecked with the sound of burbling computers. An oppressive regime wields power: “They got one eye watching you, so be careful who it is you’re talking to.” But the kids – it literally talks about “the kids” – are rising up against them, inspired by the power of rock’n’roll: “I turn the music up, I got my records on/ From underneath the rubble sing a rebel song.” Among the kids’ ranks lurk the two curiously named lovers of the album’s title. “The ending is very powerful, and about love conquering all,” explained drummer Will Champion, clearly a stranger to the spoiler alert. Without wishing to join the motley crew of petitioners who’ve cried plagiarism at Coldplay over the years, the plot sounds a bit familiar. It’s We Will Soft Rock You.”

~ Coldplay: Mylo Xyloto — The Guardian