While I understand what Coldplay stands for, what does it say about them if they're essentially dedicating a song to a right-wing extremist activist? Little reminder to keep everything civil.

People might be against this but Coldplay dedicating a song to CK is just fine. I say this as a black male that lives in North America. Coldplay is about spreading positivity and their empathy towards his family is ok. I don’t think it’s political. They would do the same thing if it was easily a leftist well known influencer.

EDIT: I’ve been informed Reddit is mostly a leftist app. I’m moderate, so understand that the down votes. God bless all of you ❤️

Preaching about love, equality and sustainability, whilst flying all your equipment out to do a hedge fund corporate gig. Chris serenading the right-wing founder of the company. For the first time in the 15 years I've been a fan, I'm ashamed to be a Coldplay fan.

It seems like it sticks to his head.

I’ve been kicking this idea around ever since the song came out, but now I feel compelled to write a response in favor of FLIFIL and the upcoming album given the amount of dislike the track has.

At first blush I agreed, FLIFIL sounds like the typical pop variety that the band has settled into in recent releases. I had many of the same reactions as those mentioned here and elsewhere online regarding the lyrics that are either too simple or outright wordless, the sound feeling the same and dating back to 2016/AHFOD, MOTS, etc...

But as an old Coldplay fan, I am honestly shocked at how good this song is and how much it has grown on me. Upon the third or fourth listen, I feel like I "get" the track. Usually there is not a something to “get” when it comes to Coldplay tracks. But here, there is a purpose to all of those elements that is so clear to see and I will argue that this song is much more layered and profound than people are giving it credit for.

Sound and Lyrics in the verses

• The song opens with a drum machine, synth-y piano, and some twinkling background effects, like something an indie SoundCloud musician would try to make in their bedroom. This is not meant to be an insult but an observation, because I think this was deliberate. The lyrics reinforce this fact: that the character Chris is writing about is having all these pent up feelings in an actual bedroom before they “open the windows wide”.

• Another quality I hear about the instrumentals in the verses is that the sound is not just chill, but so refreshing and even disarming. Again, Chris has lyrics that once again match these elements on multiple levels. The literal “disarming” quality is matched perfectly, “defenses drop” and “born to kill every angel on my windowsill”.

• The melody also doesn’t quite resolve, leaving a certain unfulfillment until the chorus arrives which is more definitive. It leaves the listener wondering where the track is heading in the same way the main character is searching for and processing the feelings they are experiencing. Truly sublime and cohesive.

Chorus

• Here is where the answer comes in, that the character is opening themselves up to love again after being hurt before. Certainly true for Chris, but also very relatable to anyone listening to the song. (will add more later)

The “la-la-la” wordless lyrics

• Usually I totally dislike wordless vocals/lyrics. I would agree with you that they can be lazy. But there are excellent examples of how it can work well. Kanye West’s Runaway would be one of them, where Ye employs the use of a vocoder with his voice to create an incredibly cathartic expression for 2+ minutes of what he put into words in the first half of the song, just pure music. I argue that a similar intention is being made by Chris with this technique that his nonverbal lyrics are emotive, not lazy.

• In this situation, the first two “la-la-las” are clearly a foreshadowing into the climax at the end. It’s not a lazy attempt at lyrics, but a specific glimpse into the end of the song and a wordless expression of the search for the “feeling” (of letting your guard down, searching for that answer which is reinforced by the ‘disarming’ melody that doesn’t quite resolve, leaving the listener wondering where the song is taking them but leaving hints of where things are heading).

• And then finally “I know I’m not alone” at the end brings the song to its climatic end with wordless lyrics/vocals that I think are actually really great on their own even without my added context (Also, I don’t think people are complaining about the climactic part as far as I can see).

The album

• Let’s keep in perspective that this is only track two (or one of we count that track 1 is probably another instrumental intro). I think this is a perfectly suitable, steady album opener with a clear message (even if it appears too simple to many listeners) that will set the tone and theme of the album.

• All My Love which was played live is also incredibly strong. I already like it more than Everglow, Let Somebody Go, and Up In Flames which is obviously the lane this track is filling. And it is conceptually consistent with FLIFIL. I actually think that these tracks offer the very best case and evidence of Moon Music’s potential as one of their stronger albums, but we’ll know for sure after Glastonbury or the album drop.

(Note: I will be editing and adding my reasoning to this. I’m just usually busy and only have time to jot notes down during my commute but wanted to share what I had so far).

I think we all agree that Parachutes, AROBTTH, XY and Viva are the best Coldplay records... Mylo Xyloto had some great tracks, but not a complete album like the first four.

Moving on to Ghost Stories, following Chris' divorce. GS brought back the piano ballads that IMO set Coldplay apart from the other late 90's to 00's alternative/pop rock bands.

But as their fanbase became more global and their live shows became larger, they started to replicate more of their early hits that better translated to those audiences...

I think the commercial success of songs like Every Teardrop and Adventure of A Lifetime from A Head Full of Dreams lead them down a path of recycling the same overproduced formula...

In my opinion, Coldplay is best when they strip it down. Chris' piano writing along with raw, piercing and simple guitar fills is what made Colplay great in the beginning.

I know some people won't agree, this is just my take on the reason behind the steady decline of Coldplay from since their musical peak of Viva..

1. best albums in order

How could they sit in the studio and listen to that dirge reapeting that horrible refrain over and over again and think ' that's it lads, a hit!'

It's absolute garbage. A total piece of crap. The lyrics are horrific.

Worse thing they've done. And they should know better

Goldrush. My god..Goldrush. Imagine the critical notices that song would've gotten this band. It's playful, like nothing they've ever done, raw, and just a great fuckin tune. One of Coldplay's most underrated and under appreciated songs. And They didn't include it on Viva or PM. A fucking crime. Sure it's available but they released it as an afterthought rather than the position it deserves. I care how this band is perceived and it kills me when they makes poor choices that would've helped them against naysayers who say "Nay". Seriously though, I'm of the opinion that Coldplay is one of the most under appreciated and wrongly maligned bands in history. It bothers me others don't see what I see. When I see them essentially throwing away songs that could help them make new fans? It bothers me for some reason.

Remember Don Quioxte? Which some people say turned into Charlie Brown, which I don't hear, but whatever. That song could've been a major hit! It's beautiful! Yeah it's got the dancing in the dark sound but damn it, they never release it! What a chorus! What a groove!

They gave Lukas, another AMAZING song, to Natalie Imbruglhia. This is another song, which is more of a typical CP song than the others listed here, but still a great song telling a story. Could've been a hit. Deserved to be on an album.

They included shit like Princess of China and Paradise(yes I know people like that song. I think It's shit. I'm sorry. It's bubble gum pop shit that is beneath this band, or should be. It started out as an X-Factor song for Christ sakes) but not "Moving to Mars", the best song of the MX era, IMO. Moving to Mars gets relegated to a single B-side.

WHAT!?!?

Who is making these choices? Do they have ears? I mean, Jesus Christ, each of these songs are brilliant. Some of the best songs they've ever done. Goldrush is Beatlesesque! Lukas is just lyrically terrific, Moving to Mars has a Pink Floyd/Supertramp style that I adore. Don Quixote is sexy, fun, and has "Hit" written all over it.

These are some of the songs they released instead: Sky Full of Stars, Paradise, Every Tear a Drop is a Waterfall, Princess of China.

Different eras of tunes to be sure but still interesting to note. Now I know there are different factions of CP fans here. Some of you like the Top 40 shilling sound the band has been after these last couple LP's. That's fine if that's your thing. Me? I love Beatles, Pink Floyd, Supertramp, Rolling Stones. Those are the kind of songs I love from this band. So it worries me when I see them ditch truly great pieces of art for more commercial appeal.

Just imagine all the epic songs we haven't heard. The great Buckland Solo's. Will they ever see the light of day??

Again, I assume many of you will dismiss this because I believe this band shouldn't be in a duet with Rihana or Beyoncé but whatever. Different strokes and all that. I just hate to see this band waste opportunity. That's how I see it.

I think Everyday Life is not that good as the people say i mean yeah its good and have PEAK songs but the rest of the album is mid (in my opinion) and i know the album is meant to be deep and that and is deep... too deep and forgots what is it... a musical album not a philosophy class

I think it's be great. Chris could also perform at one of her gigs, would be immense!

I just don’t like it, it’s too alternative imo. I think it’s a little chaotic or something. I only hear positive things about Everyday Life, hence this post. Hope you can chance my mind.

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I think they evolved their sound. Not their best lyrical album BUT definitely growth as well musically