Coldplay. We’ve all heard of this band, whether or not we’ve actually heard their music, we know who they are. If you don’t know, here’s a little backstory.  They originated from London, England in 1996/1997.  The band consists of Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion. They’ve been around for nearly 20 years and have managed to remain relevant and stay in the public eye for a majority of that time. The question is, how?

When they first began, they released 3 albums, none of which caught the attention of the media. Their single “Yellow”, released in 2000, followed by their debut album Parachutes,  released that same year, led to their worldwide recognition. Their album was nominated for the Mercury Prize. The band’s second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), was released to critical acclaim and won multiple awards, including NME’s Album of the Year.

In 2005, X&Y, the best-selling album worldwide, was met with mostly positive reviews upon its release. Throughout their career, Coldplay has been given criticism and positive reviews.  They have won over 15 awards through it all. In the 2000’s, the band was listed as the 4th best band by Rolling Stones. A little more than two weeks ago, the band released their most recent album Ghost Stories,  which has already hit #1 in the UK,  with their song “Stay With Me” already a huge hit. Its entire theme of the new album, heartbreak, is represented on the album’s cover, which is the shape of a broken heart. In the two weeks since coming out, most of my companions and acquaintances seem to love the album, myself included. I can already imagine the awards they’ll be nominated for. The reviews overall are mixed; while some love it, others aren’t so fond of it.  What’s your take on this band and their recent album?  My recommendation is don’t listen to the haters, listen to Coldplay!