Music of the Spheres
by Coldplay
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Oct 15, 2021
User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 221 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 118 out of 221
  2. Mixed: 41 out of 221
  3. Negative: 62 out of 221
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  1. DavidSG3
    Oct 28, 2021
    6
    Coldplay feels too generic in this job. While there are some interesting sounds like Humankind or People Of The Pride, there are other songs that spoil the album: Biutyful gets horrible to hear by that unnecessary squirrel voice, Let Somebody Go is too boring and feelingless, and all the interludes contribute nothing.
    Luckily the last two songs raise the rating of the album, because    Coldplay feels too generic in this job. While there are some interesting sounds like Humankind or People Of The Pride, there are other songs that spoil the album: Biutyful gets horrible to hear by that unnecessary squirrel voice, Let Somebody Go is too boring and feelingless, and all the interludes contribute nothing.
    Luckily the last two songs raise the rating of the album, because Infinity Sign sounds quite original and has an interesting melody. Moreover, Coloratura is the best song on the album and a 10-minute piece of art.

    Final rating: 6.3/10    … Expand
  2. eusoufael
    Oct 15, 2021
    6
    Unfortunately this is Coldplay at their dullest, it bears the same downsides from 2015's A Head Full of Dreams, overblown and shallow music, but it lacks the catchy songwriting that holds most Coldplay albums together. Songs like Humankind and My Universe are probably among the worst things the band has done, both are loud and dumb and have really nothing to say. The worst part is that theUnfortunately this is Coldplay at their dullest, it bears the same downsides from 2015's A Head Full of Dreams, overblown and shallow music, but it lacks the catchy songwriting that holds most Coldplay albums together. Songs like Humankind and My Universe are probably among the worst things the band has done, both are loud and dumb and have really nothing to say. The worst part is that the concept actually seemed great and it's beautifully delivered in Coloratura, one of the best tracks the band has ever put out, but what should be the closer of a musical journey is just a proof of how good this record could be and isn't. The whole planet system idea is never fully realized, while albums like Mylo Xyloto and Viva La Vida can perfectly summon theire worlds, Music of the Spheres sounds more like just a collection of songs, and songs that are not even that good. There are some other highlights like Infinity Sign, an almost instrumental collaboration with Jon Hopkins, and People of the Pride, a reworked demo from the Viva La Vida sessions, which tells a lot about how disappointing the songwriting of this record is. Ballads Let Somebody Go, Human Heart and Biutyful are all ok, but fail to leave any impression.

    Overall it's a very disappointing album after the gem that was Everyday Life. Even when compared to other Coldplay pop albums like A Head Fulll of Dreams and the (actually excellent) Mylo Xyloto, Music of the Spheres fails to deliver songs that are actually exciting or even fun. Probably theire worst release to date.    … Expand
  3. chromaticah
    Oct 15, 2021
    4
    Sou um grande fã do Coldplay, mas esse álbum é tao ruim que chega a ser constrangedor. Em pensar que mesma banda lançou A Rush Of Blood To The Head, Mylo Xyloto, X&Y, etc. Vale um 4 somente por Coloratura e People Of The Pride.
  4. laurosouza11
    Oct 15, 2021
    5
    It's not a bad album, but it's extremely inferior to its predecessor. And that's sad.
  5. Alex7113
    Oct 15, 2021
    6
    Music Of The Spheres is a well executed pop record. Not less, not more. Coldplay claim to experiment but they are actually sticking to their usual formula. Just like in A Head Full Of Dreams and Everyday Life instrumentals are too many, but this time the real problem is that the songs feel empty and don’t convey any emotions. Well produced, will surely be heard a lot on the radio, but thisMusic Of The Spheres is a well executed pop record. Not less, not more. Coldplay claim to experiment but they are actually sticking to their usual formula. Just like in A Head Full Of Dreams and Everyday Life instrumentals are too many, but this time the real problem is that the songs feel empty and don’t convey any emotions. Well produced, will surely be heard a lot on the radio, but this is just not enough for Coldplay standards.… Expand
  6. DramaManiac
    Oct 15, 2021
    4
    It doesn't change even with harsh criticism, and it's a sloppy album with similar concepts and sounds.
  7. Mellowry
    Oct 15, 2021
    6
    I was really hyped about the concept of the album, because i'm also into X&Y and the spacy notes in that record, therefore i had sort of great expectations. The opening tracks are quite fine for me. Also the successful singles "Higher Power" and "My Universe" were okay, "People of the Pride" was interesting, them going into more of a The Black Keys direction. Though i gotta note that thereI was really hyped about the concept of the album, because i'm also into X&Y and the spacy notes in that record, therefore i had sort of great expectations. The opening tracks are quite fine for me. Also the successful singles "Higher Power" and "My Universe" were okay, "People of the Pride" was interesting, them going into more of a The Black Keys direction. Though i gotta note that there are also some tracks on here, like "Biutyful", which is definitely one of Coldplays most obnoxious songs period, because of the annoyingly high pitched voice reminding me of Akon's "Lonely". And i know it is a concept album, but the interludes sometimes don't really add anything, in fact most of the tracks are quite forgettable, where i'm kind of debating over buying a 17$ copy only for 7 tracks, 4 interludes and a 10 Minute closure track. Speaking of the closure track, "Coloratura" is definitely my favorite on this one, mostly because of the guitar solo in the end, reminding me of the early Coldplay. Overall kind of a waste of some really creative ideas, but also not the worst in my opinion. Just a bit confusing and disappointing.… Expand
  8. Menios
    Oct 29, 2021
    5
    So disappointed in them. Most of their tracks are so boring and uninteresting, except for a few ones, such as "My Universe" and "Biutyful".
  9. AJKolevsohn
    Oct 20, 2021
    5
    Not their best work. They seem to be playing on the typical pop models without creating anything new, along with trying to collaborate with artists that are flooding the market with generic tunes. Quite disappointing considering the phenomenal start to their music careers with Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head. Only two songs stands out to me and they are People of the Pride andNot their best work. They seem to be playing on the typical pop models without creating anything new, along with trying to collaborate with artists that are flooding the market with generic tunes. Quite disappointing considering the phenomenal start to their music careers with Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head. Only two songs stands out to me and they are People of the Pride and Coloratura. People of the Pride boasts a powerful riff and keeps you going through its upbeat tempo. Coloratura is a beautiful end to the album with its very calming yet triumphant melody, almost reminding that they still have some quality to their work.… Expand
  10. dannymira
    Nov 25, 2021
    4
    it's a shame that Coldplay went back to over-elaborated pop song when "Everyday Life" was a breath of fresh air leaving me hoping for the future's band. This album just simply doesn't have that magic that was present in first ones or the previous one
  11. diegomartinez
    Nov 5, 2021
    5
    Este álbum representa un bajón notable de creatividad comparado con su álbum "Everyday Life" del 2019, aunque le habría puesto una nota más baja de no haber sido por "Coloratura".
  12. MusicGuyMack
    Oct 26, 2021
    5
    Though not without its moments of giddy effervescence and/or genuine brilliance, Coldplay's latest is a frustratingly surface-level exploration of the band's admittedly grand self-created sci-fi universe, with wildly uneven songwriting as well as a general lack of structure and focus and rigid adherence to pop cliche rendering "Music of the Spheres" an ambitious misfire rather than anThough not without its moments of giddy effervescence and/or genuine brilliance, Coldplay's latest is a frustratingly surface-level exploration of the band's admittedly grand self-created sci-fi universe, with wildly uneven songwriting as well as a general lack of structure and focus and rigid adherence to pop cliche rendering "Music of the Spheres" an ambitious misfire rather than an operatic masterpiece.

    Choice Cuts: "Higher Power," "Humankind," "Let Somebody Go (feat. Selena Gomez)," "Coloratura"    … Expand
  13. higormartinezo
    Oct 19, 2021
    4
    Coloratura and Higher Power are great, but the final result is not so good.
  14. PEDROMFR
    Nov 3, 2021
    4
    I'm sorry, but this may be one of the most boring albums I've ever heard. The transitions on this album were beautifully produced but, unfortunately, they lead to nowhere interesting. The highlight of the album is "My Universe" but just because of its catchy chorus, since the lyrics are cliché. This is not the memorable content Coldplay usually give us.
  15. VBSBazooka
    Nov 3, 2021
    5
    The Album has quite the idea behind it but I think the amateur songwriting and monotony of some tracks does leave more to be desired. In its mediocrity though, there are touches of inspiration and reminders why Coldplay has been so popular for so long. Certainly not their best work but I also might listen to it again before I forget about it. Also, helluva closer.

    Favorite Songs:    The Album has quite the idea behind it but I think the amateur songwriting and monotony of some tracks does leave more to be desired. In its mediocrity though, there are touches of inspiration and reminders why Coldplay has been so popular for so long. Certainly not their best work but I also might listen to it again before I forget about it. Also, helluva closer.

    Favorite Songs: Coloratura
    Least Favorite Songs: Let Somebody Go, People of the Pride    … Expand
  16. ElCrispy
    Dec 6, 2021
    4
    Music of the Spheres, while ambitious, lacks any real emotional appeal. While the band’s single “Higher Power” proved catchy and somewhat inspiring with its futuristic sounds; it felt clichéd and forced, their collaboration with BTS also proved surprisingly successful, yet the remainder of the album lacked any real essence and engagement for listeners.
  17. Fabiancsc
    Jan 19, 2023
    6
    A musically and lyrically acceptable album. Which makes it generic and boring. We cannot deny that there are salvageable songs. But it leaves a tasteless, since much more was expected from this great band.

Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. Under The Radar
    Oct 29, 2021
    30
    It’s a concept album that fundamentally refuses to engage with its own premise. Instead, the band doubles down on lyrical clichés about love and arena-friendly electropop. ... Frontman Chris Martin was never known as a brilliant songwriter, but his lyrics were never this vapid either.
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  2. Uncut
    Oct 21, 2021
    60
    Despite Chris Martin's underdeveloped lyrics – "Be an anthem for your times" at least explains his motivation – there's something reassuring in their ham-fisted urge to bring people together. ... Glam-stomper "People Of The Pride" or well-meaning power ballad "Let Somebody Go," and instrumentals harking back to earlier Eno adventures offer pleasant reprieves. [Dec 2021, p.25]
  3. PopMatters
    Oct 20, 2021
    40
    The significant flaw of Music of the Spheres is that it spends a lot of effort telling us that humans have this capacity for love and goodness, sometimes in overly saccharine terms, without getting us to feel it.
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