After a three-year respite, the return of the British Rock band Coldplay has occurred. The band’s tenth studio album, Moon Music, released on October 4, 2024 through Atlantic Records, shows exactly why they have routinely dominated domestic and foreign charts for the last twenty-seven years.
An eclectic blend of Classic Rock jams that will reign supreme on the radio for months and perhaps even years to come, the record also depicts the ever-developing exploratory nature of the group. The legendary foursome of Chris Martin (vocals, piano), Johnny Buckland (guitar), Guy Berryman (bass), and Will Champion (drums) had already reached the summit of the UK charts in just 78 hours post-release. Furthermore, Moon Music has become the fastest-selling album in 2024 in terms of physical and digital sales. From Jazz to Pop, and even EDM, Moon Music does well to keep you on their toes, while trying but unsuccessfully anticipating what magical music will escape next.
Opening with “Moon Music,” the album immediately enters an ethereal state. The title-track delivers on its name, leaving you orbiting with just over two minutes of soaring notes before Martin graces us with his voice. It was an ambitious decision to begin the record with the track, but in the end, it was truly the only way to set up the entire journey.
Transitioning to “feelslikeimfallinginlove,” the group gets heads bobbing as a pulsating bass drum propels the remaining three members right along. A poppy Dance track, it serves immediately to not confuse you, but have you question what exactly the record will come to be. We trust the band because of their track record of fantastic delivery, but an eyebrow Pop might occur when track two gets going. However, it fits well as it unfolds, revealing just how deep Coldplay may take us into the cosmos.
Continuing with “We Pray,” which includes a guest appearance by Little Simz, is the first taste of a Hip Hop influence. Undoubtedly a song that will reverberate throughout dance clubs this winter, “We Pray,” flips the record on its axis. Martin, demonstrating an almost rap-like singing style, cruises right along with Little Simz, and inevitably takes a gamble with this track. Little Simz beautifully matches the flow and rhythm of Mr. Martin and delivers an unexpected, but sure-fire hit. The first true surprise on the album, it will get you on your knees asking that the record continues down such a beautiful and unique path.
Although the album contains only ten songs there is plenty to unpack. Looking deeper inside, “Jupiter,” is the first on Moon Music to beam classic Coldplay. Here, Martin’s ringing vocals are boosted by the nimble guitar work of Buckland. This is while Berryman and Champion keep the roll going. The most complete performance at this point of the record, the song demonstrates just how tight the foursome remains after over a quarter century of work. It leaves you audibly aching for more; hoping that the remaining treats are just as sweet. From this point, the musical celestial navigation orchestrated by the band does indeed continue rocketing forward. For example, “GOOD FEELiNGS” returns to the Pop influence that seeps through each Coldplay hit that has dominated the charts. Martin and company enlist the assistance of Arya Starr for this upbeat, dance-inducing blend of shimmers that can only described in just that way.
As the record continues, “Aeterna” circles back to the beginning with sounds and beats changing at a breakneck pace. There remains, however, the constant feeling that you are in motion. Maybe it is the beats and grooves, so powerful that even your conscious begins to shake and wiggle; or rather it is exactly as Coldplay planned, to bring you on a journey of discovery that reminds you just how small you might be in this ever-moving and ever-changing universe. The cut shifts, utilizing the powerful collective of a chorus to propel the music onward, and deliver an incredibly emotional and unified performance.
Finally, the penultimate and closing songs presented on Moon Music are where you finally get to experience, once again, the talent that Chris Martin has on the piano. In fact, the notes of “All My Love” seem to almost hurt Martin’s soul as he sings. It feels as if are in a room alone with him while he delivers a terrifically heat-breaking performance, it is the type of track that launched the band into superstardom. No frills, no fancy gimmicks, just the group and their instruments led by a frontman that seems to will raw emotion at a moment’s notice. This continues with the closer “One World” which begins with calming bird whistles and a methodic guitar line that opens into more tremendous key work by Martin. With a tempo and soul-scrapping emotion reminiscent of Louis Armstrong himself, it is almost as if Martin knows the end is close.
Coldplay has been on their musical journey for quite some time now, and with only two further albums planned, you are close to having this supremely talented group removed from our lives (at least about new music). Moon Music may have been a slight diversion from what is normally recorded, but that is not a slight in any form. Coldplay opened their ears and has absorbed their collection of influential sounds since 2021’s Music of the Spheres. Like the cosmos, they have continued expanding, and it certainly would be a great surprise and gift if this remained the case until they shut the doors on the band. A must-listen for music fans of all types, Cryptic Rock gives Moon Music 4 out of 5 stars.
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