Coldplay might be back, but their sound is definitely different. Mylo Xyloto

Coldplay

EMI Records

Grade: B+

Coldplay might be back, but their sound is definitely different.

Moving on from the slow, piano-based sounds of their earlier albums “Parachutes” and “A Rush of Blood to the Head,” Mylo Xyloto delivers a nice mix of fast-paced and more traditional slow-paced tracks to make an album sure to keep you moving all the way through.

The first single off the album, “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall,” exemplifies the feel of the new Coldplay. Though Chris Martin’s exceptional vocal range is nothing new, the sweeping guitar riffs and driving speed of Will Champion’s drums add to the song’s upbeat mood.

This quick tempo is apparent right from the start: The album’s first full-length track, “Hurts like Heaven,” plays at an unrelenting tempo, filled with more guitar riffs and Chris Martin symphonies. The use of Auto-Tune in the song is a bit shocking, but it seems that the band is willing to adapt to new trends in music.

The second single, “Paradise,” further proves that Coldplay is moving in a new direction. In a surprising move, it seems that Coldplay has chosen to make a song better suited for a club or a bar than a relaxing Sunday drive. Nothing could better prove this than the repetitive bassline, which sounds more like house music than anything Coldplay has ever done before. But the old Coldplay isn’t buried too far underneath — the use of strings is strong throughout and once again, Chris Martin sings at the forefront, hitting the high notes just as the song’s chorus peaks.

But don’t fear, old-school Coldplay fans. Songs like “Charlie Brown” and “UFO”  still bring the mellow Coldplay feel we’ve all come to know and love. Chris Martin stated that the album was “based on a love story with a happy ending” —  something not too far off from the mood of most Coldplay songs.

Leaving you little time to catch your breath, Mylo Xyloto is a fast album where the band experiments with new sounds and techniques but sticks to their own style.