Song Review: “Paradise” by Coldplay

by Tom “Wonderboy” Roth

“Paradise”
Coldplay
Mylo Xyoto
Release Date: October 24, 2011

 

First, it was the release of the single “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall.” Then, the announcement of their upcoming album’s title, Mylo Xyloto.

Now, it’s all about “Paradise.”

As British rockers Coldplay close in on the release of their fifth studio album, the world is abuzz with talk of how it will fit with the band’s resume. If “Paradise” is any indicator, the only similarity Mylo Xyloto will have to its preceding release is its total deviation from what we’ve already heard from the band.

Sonically, “Paradise” is not as stripped-down as frontman Chris Martin promised. The complex sounds of “Viva La Vida” remain on “Paradise” as do the stringed backing although they aren’t quite as pointed as the group’s honor-darling golden goose. The staccato jabbing of 2008 is replaced by a veritable acoustic massage. Before Martin’s gentle piano chords enter, the track has a quasi-hip hop sound. Somewhere, Wiz Khalifa is kicking himself for not thinking of it first.

Johnny Buckland’s guitar solo is a welcome addition to Coldplay’s modus operandi. Where his stringed abilities have previously shouldered Martin’s keys and croons, Buckland’s Hendrix-impression is a hint at what could be a much more prominent role for the strummer on Mylo Xyloto.

Lyrically, “Paradise” is a downer. In interviews, Martin has suggested that the upcoming album will deal with themes of escape and with the release of “Paradise,”  it is clear which track he was referring to. While the boys extract a modern instrumental backing, Martin laments the loss of innocence and the desire to escape to – you guessed it – paradise.

See the video for “Paradise” here.