Coldplay’s Comeback

Coldplay released their new single “Magic” on Mar. 3, and will be included on Coldplay’s upcoming studio album Ghost Stories, which will be released in May. The song fuses elements of Coldplay’s newer pop-rock material and their older alternative rock sound. Although the song combines old and new Coldplay sounds, it sounds like nothing they have ever released before. Some notable sounds are the heavy bass line and piano, which create a unique sound. “Magic” sounds serene yet melancholic, and lead singer Chris Martin’s vocals along with the bass line create a moody rhythm, but the piano adds calming undertones. “And I just got broken, broken into two, still I call it magic, when I’m next to you,” Chris Martin chants in the first verse. The song is rumored to be about his relationship with wife Gwyneth Paltrow, and it resonates with the listener more with the news that they are separating after eleven years of marriage. The song’s mix of melancholy and hope cannot be overstated. When the news broke of Martin and Paltrow’s marriage, the song and its tone made sense. One wouldn’t expect piano and beats to mix together so well, but “Magic” succeeds at doing just that, reminding long time fans of Coldplay’s old alternative sound, yet moving forward in creating a new dynamic sound. Overall, “Magic” is a great first single from Coldplay, a somber yet uplifting song that makes the listeners curious to hear what Coldplay’s new album has to offer.