Coldplay Finds Joy on a ‘A Head Full of Dreams’

Stephanie Hernandez

The dissolution of Coldplay Frontman Chris Martin’s marriage to Gwyneth Paltrow was the emotional subject matter of the group’s sixth album, “Ghost Stories” in 2014. A year later and it seems Martin is ready to move on to happier times on “A Head Full of Dreams.” Exchanging meditative lyricism and introspective melodies for propulsive beats and technicolor swirled synth choruses, Coldplay’s seventh album may quite possibly be the best time you may ever have with the group. Relentlessly forward marching, the 11-track whirlwind of a record does a great job at immersing you in what could be your new happy place. Their stadium made sound is as big as ever, still anchored in bittersweet moments. “A Head Full of Dreams” is Coldplay fully accepting pop into their repertoire.

Full of heavy-hitting guest stars, Coldplay set up their bases to attract a big crowd. The record’s first single, “Adventure of a Lifetime,” sweeps you up with echoing guitars, a disco backbeat and a bass line that will remind you of Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” so much so that you may feel the need to dance right then and there. The “oh oh oh-a-oh” chorus just aches to be screamed in arenas across the country; possible Superbowl collaboration? Moving on to a more somber note, “Kaleidoscope” features POTUS himself, Barack Obama lending his voice as a backing track to the introspective song while 78-year-old American poet Coleman Barks reads his own translation of a poem by the 13th-century Sufi mystic Rumi to a light piano accompaniment. With lines like, “This being human is a guest house/ Every morning a new arrival./ A joy, a depression, a meanness,/ some momentary awareness comes/ as an unexpected visitor,” the mid-album palate cleanser keeps the record from being too saccharine sweet. Not to worry, the cheery unavoidable handclaps continue with the entrance of pop goddess Beyoncé on “Hymn for the Weekend.” Reigning in huge harmonies and controlling an epic brass section with a little of that signature R&B sound, Bey gets Martin away from his trademark falsetto and steers the track into some serious euphoric fanfare. We are then swept up into the wistful “Fun” where Tove Lo and Martin sing “Don’t say it was all a waste/ Didn’t we have fun?” trading sweet memories of love’s past. Ending on a high note, British rock royalty Noel Gallagher lends his guitar chops to “Up&Up.” By providing a very “What’s the Story Morning Glory?” sized guitar solo on the final track, you’re reminded of just what Brits have done for pop music and you’re forced to take a moment and lean into its ecstasy.

“A Head Full of Dreams” definitely finds Coldplay in a happier place than they’ve even dared to venture in the last five years. The soaring electric guitars echo through walls of atmospheric synths and leave you feeling content but aching for more. A much easier listen than the darkness of “Ghost Stories,” the spirit of the band’s seventh studio release does feel rejuvenated, albeit a tad forgettable. There are some shining moments scattered throughout and as a whole the album shows the potential of journeying down a new road for Coldplay, but for some reason something feels lacking. The emotional depth of albums past was not at the forefront here and though it may feel refreshing to have a completely cheerful Coldplay album, we must admit, we do miss the lamenting just a little. Overall, not their best and not their worst by far, the success of “A Head Full of Dreams” comes from its foretelling of what could be a new, more joyous Coldplay.

Coldplay’s “A Head Full of Dreams” is available on Apple Music Dec. 8.