Moon Music is an astronomical success for Coldplay

Released on October 4, Moon Music, the second part to Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres project, asserts itself as a musical masterpiece in its flawless execution of the album’s magical concept and uplifting emotional direction through heavenly musical composition and joyful lyricism. “[The songs are] a reaction to feeling so powerless in the face of so many crazy things happening internally and externally and looking for answers,” British rock band Coldplay’s vocalist Chris Martin posted on the band’s official TikTok. 

The album starts with the title track “Moon Music,” which emits a mystical ambience that creates an extraordinarily breathtaking atmosphere. Unique techniques such as angelic sound waves, radio type voice effects, and shimmer sounds transport the listener to a celestial, ethereal world. The song features vibrant orchestra dips and peaks, later accompanied by piano that crescendos to make a heavenly listening experience.

One of the album’s most memorable highlights is the segue from “Moon Music” to the album’s second track, “feelslikeimfallinginlove.” This seamless transition between the two tracks creates a smooth fluidity that contributes to the album’s overall cohesiveness through a  mesmerizing atmosphere. In “🌈(ALiEN HiTS/ALiEN RADiO),” the magical mood presents itself through iridescent twinkles mixed with occasional deep beats and faint flickers that climax into a harmony of sounds. Vocals reminiscent of  sirens further add to a delicate and graceful tone. As the track closes off, the song features American memoirist and civil rights activist Maya Angelou singing, “When it looked like the sun wasn’t gonna shine anymore / God put a rainbow in the clouds.” The band expertly weaves Angelou’s speech into their uplifting message of balancing good times with balancing bad ones.

Moreover, the band’s exemplary lyricism produces a positive ambience for listeners. For instance, “AETERNA” depicts the pure and unfiltered happiness the singer feels after spending time with a special person. Lead vocalist Chris Martin sings, “This must be bliss / Must be for this I exist … / Wena ngiyakuthanda whe,” a Zulu lyric that translates to “I love you,” adding  an extra dimension to the album’s theme of positivity and further connecting the band to the listener. 

Moon Music not only uses lyrics to express jubilant emotions, but also a certainty and determination for the future, especially in the face of obstacles. In “iAAM,” the band’s positive mindset is evident in their lyrics: “I got this feeling and just what it is, God only knows … / I’ll be back on my feet again / ‘Cause I am a mountain.” The symbolism of a mountain represents the band’s unending strength against any challenge, a message that encourages listeners to also be confident in their own efforts. 

Overall, Coldplay’s incorporation of a multitude of sound effects and well crafted lyrics bring their transcendental and astronomical world to life.  For the next year, the band will be continuing its Music of the Spheres tour, visiting places around the globe such as Latin America, North America, and Australia. To fans all around the world, Moon Music reminds listeners that amongst rain and clouds, there is always the rainbow to shine light and color.

 

Grade: A