Published by Mason Oldridge, 1 October 2024
Coldplay continue their Music of the Spheres series with their tenth studio album Moon Music, though the record is not quite out of this world.
The title might suggest a cohesive sound throughout but there is actually great variation from track to track. Lead single feelslikeimfallinginlove is classic pop rock whereas follow-up single We Pray ventures into R&B, featuring several artists of the genre, though this experiment doesn’t work well for the reputable rock band. Jupiter puts acoustic guitar centre stage while the upbeat Good Feelings incorporates funk. Aliens Hits / Alien Radio opens with otherworldly sounds but goes off on a tangent before iAAM returns to the more standard commercial music with a positive attitude. Aeterna is dance-like with a sound reminiscent of Foals and All My Love is stripped back with Chris Martin at a piano singing honest lyrics. One World, despite its unnecessary length, closes the album with the prominent message of “in the end it’s just love”. Despite the album title, there is unfortunately no space rock.
The album can feel bland at times, but if you accept that the rock band we once knew has moved into the pop landscape, some tracks can be enjoyed for what they are.
6/10