A Head Full of Dreams
by Coldplay
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Dec 4, 2015
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 461 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 275 out of 461
  2. Mixed: 121 out of 461
  3. Negative: 65 out of 461
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  1. Talhamid
    Dec 4, 2015
    10
    Now it is established: even if Coldplay come up with Sgt Peppers, critics will still hate them. Their lyrics are deeply scrutinized and their attempt at reinventing themselves on every album is seen as aping other bands. By contrast they go gaga over Taylor Swift. Oasis were forgiven through the biggest bad-album streak in history yet Coldplay, a band whose worst album IMHO (Mylo Xyloto)Now it is established: even if Coldplay come up with Sgt Peppers, critics will still hate them. Their lyrics are deeply scrutinized and their attempt at reinventing themselves on every album is seen as aping other bands. By contrast they go gaga over Taylor Swift. Oasis were forgiven through the biggest bad-album streak in history yet Coldplay, a band whose worst album IMHO (Mylo Xyloto) is still leagues better than the rest, are never given a chance. Good thing the general public disagrees. I can't praise this album enough; have a feeling in a few years time this will be regarded as one of the great albums. Neatly bookended by the title track (a track that reminds one of U2's triumphant start to The Unforgettable Fire, A Sort of Homecoming) and the closing track Up and Up, which is haunting, glorious, epic, and melacholy at the same time (with nothing less than a gleaming guitar solo from former scoffer Gallagher), and containing unexpected, shimmering melodies in between, this album works for anyone, Coldplay fan or not. So my message is: NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS, give this album a listen and you will love it. Guaranteed… Expand
  2. coldplayvideo
    Dec 15, 2015
    10
    This "Critic reviews" score is not well done, look at the 2 "Negative" reviews, nobady knows those magazines/websites, and take a look at the positive ones (Q Mag, Rolling Stone, NME, NYT, etc.). This album deserves a higher score, its a fantastic joyfull album. Beautiful melodies .
  3. Kelsier
    Jan 16, 2016
    10
    Loved the album a lot and it is according to me 2015's best release. Can't believe critics rated it so low.
    After a few listening s, it grows on you. I say don't go on what critics say and give the album a chance. Tracks like - Hymn for a weekend, A head full of dreams are amazing.
  4. eXadrian
    Jan 6, 2016
    7
    It is a more lighthearted album that is mostly forgettable. But there are a couple of songs that are good. One is the song "Hymn For The Weekend", which in my opinion is the best song on the album. Other songs that are good are "Adventure Of A Lifetime", "Army Of One" and "Everglow". "Up&Up" and the title song "A Head Full Of dreams" are alright but feel like they are a bit rushed. TheIt is a more lighthearted album that is mostly forgettable. But there are a couple of songs that are good. One is the song "Hymn For The Weekend", which in my opinion is the best song on the album. Other songs that are good are "Adventure Of A Lifetime", "Army Of One" and "Everglow". "Up&Up" and the title song "A Head Full Of dreams" are alright but feel like they are a bit rushed. The rest of the songs are bland and not very good, like they are just there to fill the gaps to make a full album.

    In the end the album is alright, but could have been better, they should have taken more time to add better songs to make this album great. However the few songs that are good make up for the bad ones.    … Expand
  5. Ricko
    Nov 20, 2016
    8
    After 7 albums, Coldplay deserve to be pleased with themselves, having produced 3 great pop rock albums in "Parachutes", "A Rush Of Blood To The Head" and "Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends". What Coldplay should be less pleased about is that the most recent of their truly great albums was released in 2008, almost a decade (and three albums) ago. After the downbeat but likeableAfter 7 albums, Coldplay deserve to be pleased with themselves, having produced 3 great pop rock albums in "Parachutes", "A Rush Of Blood To The Head" and "Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends". What Coldplay should be less pleased about is that the most recent of their truly great albums was released in 2008, almost a decade (and three albums) ago. After the downbeat but likeable "Ghost Stories", "A Head Full Of Dreams" goes back into Mylo Xyloto territory in terms of tone and texture, pop songs laced with production techniques and studio trickery to make them sound current and contemporary. The problem with this approach (and this can already be seen in Coldplay's back catalogue) is that this month's current sound, whatever it may be at the time, dates incredibly quickly. Coldplay's early material was timeless indie rock gradually progressing to stadium rock. The band's early singles still sound good to those of us who picked them up when they were released. Everything they've done post 2008 has followed a pattern of initially swamping the airwaves and then quickly disappearing, rarely to be heard of again. How often do you hear anything from Mylo Xyloto these days, a mere 5 years after it was released, in comparison to the likes of "Clocks" or "In My Place". I wouldn't go as far as to say they are now exclusively producing disposable pop but their music is beginning to take on many of that genres characteristics. The point here I guess is that rating "A Head Full Of Dreams" now, while it's still relatively fresh, could be a different prospect in a couple of years time. Reviewing it today I have to score it reasonably highly. It doesn't achieve the heights Coldplay hit in the first half of their career but it comfortably sits with what they've produced in the latter half. It's got 11 tracks with track 8 containing 2 songs. 2 of these are interlude type songs that add very little so what we're dealing with is essentially a 10 song album. Half of these tracks are excellently written and produced and while some may dismiss them as ear candy, there is no denying that the tracks are enjoyable. The rest of the material alternates between being average and good. Highlights for me include "Fun" with it's outro lifted from "Viva La Vida" and "Army of One/X Marks the Spot". I can see the Coldplay fans who got on board at the start with "Parachutes" struggling to really develop a love for this one and perhaps the Coldplay train is now beginning to run out of steam. Having said that, this is still an enjoyable album and one that I'm glad I bought.… Expand
  6. SomePersona
    Feb 8, 2017
    8
    This album is just so breezy and likable. It's a little painful to listen to with headphones (there's SO MUCH BASS), but listening to it openly (e.g. in the car) is a real joy. There always seems to be a period where a band evolves into a different genre, usually becoming more poppy. This happened to Rush, it happened to Queen, and now it's happening to Coldplay. It's just a period; theThis album is just so breezy and likable. It's a little painful to listen to with headphones (there's SO MUCH BASS), but listening to it openly (e.g. in the car) is a real joy. There always seems to be a period where a band evolves into a different genre, usually becoming more poppy. This happened to Rush, it happened to Queen, and now it's happening to Coldplay. It's just a period; the band will stay like this for a while and then go back to its roots. Rush went back to its roots in the nineties, twenty hundreds, and twenty tens (e.g. Clockwork Angels), and Queen would have gone back to its roots had Freddie Mercury not died. Coldplay's going to escape this pop period; they'll just be here for a while. While they're here, though, there's a lot to enjoy.… Expand
  7. KenanLV426
    Jul 2, 2017
    10
    A fresh, bright and colorful album by the world`s best band that brings back the Mylo Xyloto vibes. Very very underrated! Every track can be listened to on and on and on...
  8. ATOTHEJ
    Jun 19, 2017
    10
    I love this album so much. It is much better than Ghost Stories (in my opinion) and is right up there with Mylo Xyloto and Viva La Vida and Death and all his friends. Obviously it is hard to mix the new with the old, but I think Coldplay has really shown that by the end of the careers they will be remembered as one of the greatest live performance acts of this generation, bar none. I haveI love this album so much. It is much better than Ghost Stories (in my opinion) and is right up there with Mylo Xyloto and Viva La Vida and Death and all his friends. Obviously it is hard to mix the new with the old, but I think Coldplay has really shown that by the end of the careers they will be remembered as one of the greatest live performance acts of this generation, bar none. I have loved Coldplay since I was a child and with each new album release, it is more astounding each and every time (minus Ghost Stories, which was good but I think the weakest of all of their albums.)… Expand
  9. MasterOfMusic
    Oct 22, 2017
    10
    Good sounds, good lyrics, good rhythm, this album is one of the most brilliant. How always Coldplay does a good job and give us good quality. It qualification should be 100.
  10. MahdiBzs
    Sep 26, 2018
    10
    I Don'T Like Pop Rock Music But This Album Was The Best Pop Rock Album I Heard. It 'S Good For Coldplay To Go Past ,Anyway It Was A Good Album.
  11. cold_akhil
    Aug 12, 2018
    10
    Coldplay has always been producing magical music. Don't ignore these beautiful tracks, listen once and you'll love to listen them all again and again.
  12. sambuu
    Nov 12, 2018
    10
    First time i'm listen to head full of dreams, i'm thought it's just a waste album.But after few times listens whole album i changed my mind.Birds and Fun are my most favorite songs from head full of dreams.
  13. FirebreatherID
    May 22, 2016
    10
    Such an amazing album this album contains great songs like fun, Up&Up, hymn for the weeknd.
    But come on guys we want the old coldplay.
    Best songs: up&up, birds, fun, marks the spot and Army of one
  14. IsaacD90
    Dec 6, 2015
    10
    I've listened to Coldplay since "Yellow" and this is my favorite album since 'X&Y' and second favorite overall. But, this is the type of Coldplay music I like, slow, ballads, melancholy, pop-ish songs!
  15. Mannhorse
    Dec 5, 2015
    7
    Their past albums (A Rush of Blood to the Head, Ghost Stories) are still better than this one, but Hymn for the Weekend is amazing, and so are few other tracks. This record just feels too sugary and sweet sometimes.
  16. asdfasdfasdfas1
    Dec 7, 2015
    10
    Fantastic album. Is great and dreamy - Perfect for a cold, chill, snowy day with a cup of coffee. Different from their older albums, but still has the classic Coldplay charm attached to it.
  17. Ckallvinn
    Jul 8, 2016
    10
    Definitely the best album that Coldplay has ever produced. I listened to this album when it came out without really knowing much about Coldplay except their hit singles, and it became one of the best albums of 2015 and of the 21st century as a whole. The album has easily enough ups and downs to make it interesting, and the tracks each have enough diversity from one another that you don'tDefinitely the best album that Coldplay has ever produced. I listened to this album when it came out without really knowing much about Coldplay except their hit singles, and it became one of the best albums of 2015 and of the 21st century as a whole. The album has easily enough ups and downs to make it interesting, and the tracks each have enough diversity from one another that you don't get bored. All in all, A Head Full of Dreams is definitely the number one album for Coldplay.… Expand
  18. rewant
    Dec 4, 2015
    10
    This album is a full circle and back again to their roots(partially). This album envokes all emotions inside me, especially faith and hope...that everything's not lost.
    AHFOD-9/10 Sounds like vintage U2 but with a bit more melody and falsetto's. But this track proves that coldplay hasn't forgotten it's roots.
    Birds- 8.5/10 A decent track. Hymn for the weekend- 10/10 One word:    This album is a full circle and back again to their roots(partially). This album envokes all emotions inside me, especially faith and hope...that everything's not lost.
    AHFOD-9/10 Sounds like vintage U2 but with a bit more melody and falsetto's. But this track proves that coldplay hasn't forgotten it's roots.
    Birds- 8.5/10 A decent track.
    Hymn for the weekend- 10/10 One word: heavenly....
    Everglow- 10/10 yet another powerful ballad.
    Adventure of a lifetime- 9/10 the guitar riff proves it all.
    Fun- 7/10 Okay..
    Kaleidoscope- 10/10 It's weird how a 2 minute interlude can move you to tears.
    Army of One- 10/10 the beat drop is so cool! Amazing one.
    Amazing day- 9/10
    Colour spectrum-9/10
    Up&Up- 11/10 THE BEST! i can't define it in words, infact no one can.
    X marks the spot- 7/10 a bit of a letdown...but still better than hotline bling.    … Expand
  19. thedarklordya
    Dec 4, 2015
    9
    One their greatest albums and a true comeback for a very great band.
    Notable Songs
    -'Adventure of a lifetime' excellent pop song
    -'Hymn for the Weekend" featuring beyonce was one of the band's best ever songs
    -'Everglow' very moving ballad
  20. comeonhomeboi23
    Dec 7, 2015
    10
    Serene, uplifting, dream-lile, and colorful. The catchiest Coldplay album to date, yet there is something special about it. From Hymn to the Weekend to Everglow, this album is jam-packed with beautiful synths, harmonizing pianos, and wonderful production work. Welcome back, Coldplay!
  21. kevin3stacks
    Dec 5, 2015
    10
    This is a great album. Very enjoyable to listen to, sway and dance. look out for Birds, Hymn for the weekend, fun and amazing day. The production team do a great job on this one as well. Its definitely not the strongest album coldplay has but its worthy a spot in the discography
  22. chrisp1999
    Dec 4, 2015
    10
    Another new direction for Coldplay, and a excellent one at that. From the premiere of Adventure of a Lifetime, I knew that this would be something unexpected from Coldplay - an album that is just full of joy and one that makes you want to dance! It's a step towards pop, but that is no bad thing. They've made it their own as they seem to do with anything they try, and succeeded in that! IAnother new direction for Coldplay, and a excellent one at that. From the premiere of Adventure of a Lifetime, I knew that this would be something unexpected from Coldplay - an album that is just full of joy and one that makes you want to dance! It's a step towards pop, but that is no bad thing. They've made it their own as they seem to do with anything they try, and succeeded in that! I won't rank all the songs individually, but you can almost tell that this is what the band has been aiming for, with amazing bass lines, beautiful guitar lines, booming drums, and of course, those Chris Martin vocals we've come to love. Some might say it's a little bit cheesy at times, but I like that.… Expand
  23. Twisty
    Dec 6, 2015
    7
    I’ve just noticed that the covers of Coldplay’s albums (at least the last 4 ones), match really well with the overall sound of every project. Not saying I really like them, but the colours, forms and aesthetics define what the album will sound like. Viva La Vida had that Delacroix painting of the French Revolution that was epic as for example the homonime song, Viva La Vida. Mylo XylotoI’ve just noticed that the covers of Coldplay’s albums (at least the last 4 ones), match really well with the overall sound of every project. Not saying I really like them, but the colours, forms and aesthetics define what the album will sound like. Viva La Vida had that Delacroix painting of the French Revolution that was epic as for example the homonime song, Viva La Vida. Mylo Xyloto had a lot of colours and graffitis in the cover, same as I relate the sound, really colourful, with a lot of elements and maybe too much production, and the graffitis symbolize the more young, modern and changed sound of that CD. Then, Ghost Stories and the minimalist cover. The peaceful dark blue match with the more intimate, melancholic and calmed sound (except for A Sky Full of Stars, still don’t get the point of putting that EDM **** in that album, also it would had fitted better in this album). And we’re here with AHFOD, with a cover that breaks with the minimalism of the last one, and again adds a lot of colors that reveal the sound itself: more happy vibes, more lightful and danceful songs, a lot of synths and electronic elements… everything reminds a little bit to Mylo Xyloto, but this time with funk and dance. But the cover kinda reveals one of the problems of this: too much elements. There is an excess of production. Also it seems there is not a well defined direction in the album, a problem of combining producers of different genders on the same disc. Matter of fact, the only parts I really like are these kind of interludes. I think AHFOD is far from the level of Mylo Xyloto but, you know what? I don’t blame Coldplay after all. This album is conceived to be played and performed live. That’s why Ghost Stories didn’t have a tour. Songs like “Magic” or “Midnight” are not adequate to be played live at all. And this album is actually a right move in practical terms. It is an enjoyable album if you know, as I did, what you’re expecting to listen here. And I was prepared to listen another different Coldplay, moving even further than the sound of their first 3 albums. There are no good lyrics in this album cuz they don’t even care. Coldplay made this album for the temporary joy, not as a permanent reminder in this band’s legacy.… Expand
  24. SidNimmo1998
    Dec 4, 2015
    10
    This album has been amazing from the start from when we heard it, I find Adventure of a lifetime as a song which could always make you happy and same for the album it is just a great piece of thank you to the fans, hopefully Coldplay won't be gone for long because the music they produce is just out of this world, a true British band indeed.
  25. jonvlahiotis
    Feb 6, 2016
    10
    This new album by Coldplay is **** amazing. All the songs are catchy, fun and really inspiring. These critic review are so **** stupid; this deserves a way higher score. All the songs in this album are amazing and I will never get tired of it. This music is not only a new and exciting but it also still sounds like the Coldplay we have listened to and loved forever.
  26. lHarryl
    Dec 8, 2015
    10
    It's Coldplay, music turns into magic. What's so incredible about them is, they've never dono anything like the albuns before, such as Parachutes, Viva La Vida. It's pretty much a journey where they can print their own mark into anything. I'm glad Coldplay's still around.
  27. BanjoBeta
    Dec 7, 2015
    10
    One of the better albums of 2015.
    More of a pop album from Coldplay. But if merging Pop with alternative rock is a thing, Coldplay did it the best way possible.
  28. Goodwill
    Dec 4, 2015
    9
    Martin and the gang have a head full of dreams. These dreams are manifested in the tracklist being every type of song they've ever wanted to make. This culmination of the bands dreams accompanied by their friends and family is the definition of Coldplay in the most literal sense. This is admirable and, of course, very catchy.
  29. A7sus4
    Dec 7, 2015
    7
    Sounds nice from front to back. A good companion album for Ghost Stories which I also really enjoyed. The album actually does a nice job of sounding a little bit like all of Coldplay's previous soundscapes in different parts. Not disappointed at all.
  30. silverslimer
    Dec 5, 2015
    9
    Before purchasing the album today, I had read some reviews from critics. They all seemed to be fairly negative and I was wondering whether a purchase made any sense even though I had every other Coldplay album. Then, I watched "Adventure of a Lifetime" on Youtube and was immediately hooked to the sound. I just finished listening to the whole album: one 5-star song "Adventure of aBefore purchasing the album today, I had read some reviews from critics. They all seemed to be fairly negative and I was wondering whether a purchase made any sense even though I had every other Coldplay album. Then, I watched "Adventure of a Lifetime" on Youtube and was immediately hooked to the sound. I just finished listening to the whole album: one 5-star song "Adventure of a Lifetime", two 3-star songs, two deleted (the 1-minute tunes) and the rest 4-stars. It's actually quite strong and one of the better albums they've come up with. If anything, it's a very happy addition to their collection.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Most Discussed Album of 2015
14
#14 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 27
  3. Negative: 2 out of 27
  1. DIY Magazine
    Dec 16, 2015
    40
    Instead of its wide-eyed optimism rubbing off onto others, this album has the effect of canned laughter bouncing off the walls. It’s a hundred nutritional yoghurts being mushed into bland liquid nothingness.
    Read full review
  2. Drowned In Sound
    Dec 14, 2015
    30
    The head feels weighed down with unresolved torment, the smile forced and awkward, the colours garish and messily-applied.
    Read full review
  3. Clash Music
    Dec 11, 2015
    40
    It’s clear that Coldplay retain their thirst, their passion for making music--it’s merely a shame that it results in such polite noises.
    Read full review
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