A Head Full of Dreams
Coldplay
Universal
Two and a half stars
Sometimes disaster is a good thing.
The resulting refocusing of the mind often leads to better decisions and, more importantly, new reserves of honesty and self-criticism.
After enchanting the world with heartfelt, yet hopelessly bland, anthems about overcoming personal struggles, Coldplay’s chief songwriter and singer Chris Martin found himself down in the dumps last year following his notorious “conscious uncoupling” from actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
The result of that pain was last year's Ghost Stories, Coldplay's best album since their 2000 debut Parachutes. The brooding and haunting work resonated because it felt real. Ironically, Martin wasn't trying to "fix" anyone on that record – his strikingly direct lyricism, with musings on despondent nights watching TV – proved that heartbreak was indeed something that has to be lived through, as opposed to being healed through a few melodic platitudes.
The album also demonstrated that the British four-piece still have something to say on the artistic front. Hence, with the band seemingly on reset mode, their seventh album A Head Full of Dreams arrived with a healthy dose of anticipation.
Unfortunately, the affair is ultimately lacklustre because it succumbs once again to that familiar Coldplay two-step: announcing interesting sonic directions in the run-up (this time around, the album is helmed by Norwegian production team Stargate), only for the whole thing to sound like another Coldplay record.
It’s a pity, really, as the songs on this album offer frustrating insights into what could have been.
The much-vaunted collaboration with Beyoncé, Hymn for the Weekend, feels serviceable: Martin croons over twinkling pianos and finger snaps before a truly plodding – and unintentionally theatrical – chorus arrives that doesn't do justice to Bey's vocal gifts.
Fun, a collaboration with emerging Swedish talent (and recent Beats on The Beach performer) Tove Lo, is slightly better. Guy Berryman's guitar swirls, augmented by some digital drums, recall the evocative nocturnal landscapes of American dream-pop duo Beach House. The interest is eventually tempered with another lumpy chorus – this time veering dangerously close to Oasis's Stop Crying Your Heart Out.
The same can be said about Army of One. Martin valiantly attempts to lift listeners with some sweeping melodies but the production is too staid for it to go anywhere. That said, Coldplay haven't sold nearly 80 million albums for nothing. The band continue their enviable streak of planting in each album a pair of sublime hits.
The first single, Adventure of a Lifetime, is doing its job on the charts courtesy of its winning disco swagger, while the second hit-in-waiting is the album's majestic title track, which comes with a singalong refrain made to conquer stadiums.
A Head Full of Dreams is not a total disaster, but another chance squandered. If, indeed, it becomes the band's swansong – as hinted in interviews – it will ensure Coldplay are remembered for their hits as much as their misses.
sasaeed@thenational.ae
