So for one week, Coldplay has their newest single “Ivy Hill” up for free download on their site. This is surprising because it is a week before the single’s ’street date’ and it’s going to make a ton of money…but bravo for them for offering it for free and they’re also playing a FREE show at Madison Square Garden sometime soon.
…Anyways, the song intrigues me. I largely feel like their last album “X&Y” was a huge mis-step and Chris Martin’s trivial lyrics and connect-the-dots songwriting had grated me too much and I was sick of the band. However, there were still some exemplary stuff on that album…”Swallowed in the Sea”, “Fix You” and “Kingdom Come” have that kind of understated grace that I think Coldplay are able to get down better than anyone else I can think of.
So, there is nothing about the new single that I can point to and be like: “THAT’S AWESOME” but it just hits for some reason. I can’t put my finger on it but I’ve listened to it 4 times in a row and am trying to classify what it is to no avail. I know the ending with the wilting piano chords is classic Coldplay (i.e. kind of straining to be a more accessible Radiohead). I can feel for the first time that the band is really trying to be concerted and ambitious with this release and to me, that’s great…I just hope it doesn’t get buried in self-importance with an album title such as “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends”…(Kind of echoes Bright Eyes’ “Lifted” album…now I’m worried).
Anyhow, this is my most anticipated release of the year unless Ryan Adams should decide to put out 15 albums again…and the new Death Cab album I’m sure will be awesome. i was really excited for “X&Y” too and that broke my heart so let’s hope this one is for real.
Check out the song on Coldplay.com!
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