This latest album from the group once again shows it was designed to be performed live than simply to be enjoyed at home.

It would be fair to say that Coldplay are masters of creating songs that really explode into life when performed live on stage as opposed to being simply listened to at home and this tradition continues with this latest album.

Music of the Spheres has an ethereal and other worldly quality to it that does make it intriguing to listen to but can in places feel a little bit soulless.

With songs such as ‘Higher Power’ and ‘My Universe’ – the album feels as though it is in its safest territory and are of course real highlights of the album. ‘Higher Power’ in particular has feel of being a real breath of fresh air quality about it that makes it a really enjoyable song to listen to. Meanwhile ‘My Universe’ which sees Coldplay performing alongside BTS certainly sounds confident and assured that would be incredible to hear performed live.

Yet, there are a couple of surprises to be found on Music of the Spheres. This includes the delicate sounding ‘Let Somebody Go’ featuring Selena Gomez which certainly reveals a more thoughtful and serious side to the music found on the album, while ‘Coloratura’ brings a diverse range of qualities and sounds to keep the listener guessing as to what is coming next. Elsewhere, ‘People of the Pride’ has certainly got a different edge to it that is slightly more aggressive in tone but shows a different side to what the group are capable of.

However, because there is so much happening musically it can make the tone of the album as a whole a little bit uneven – as songs such as ‘Biutyful’ prove.

But there is no doubting the thoughtfulness and attention that has been paid to the lyrics of songs as heard on ‘Human Heart’ that offers insight into the way in which it explores human emotion from the perspective of men and women. Performed alongside We Are KING and British jazz musician Jacob Collier, it is certainly one of the more sensitive and poetic tracks to feature on the album.

While the overall tone of the album can make Music of the Spheres feel like a bit of a mixed bag – there is no doubting that there is still some good quality songs on there that fans will enjoy singing along to when going to the tour next year.

By Emma Clarendon

Music of the Spheres is available to buy and download now.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐