Just in time for your Christmas party, Coldplay are back with their seventh album.
The guest list of collaborators includes Beyoncé, Noel Gallagher, Tove Lo and soul legend Merry Clayton; a sample of Barack Obama crooning Amazing Grace completes the starry line-up.
Following last year’s lovelorn Ghost Stories – released amid Chris Martin’s split from Gwyneth Paltrow – A Head Full of Dreams is a more colourful collection that edges out Martin’s moping in favour of uplifting, preppy pop with a pristine finish from Norwegian co-producers Stargate.
The kinetic groove of the opening title track is mirrored in the delirious disco of Adventure of a Lifetime, while Hymn For the Weekend is an unlikely R&B-style tune with Beyoncé. Paltrow’s a ghostly presence with her barely there backing vocals on piano ballad Everglow.
Otherwise, Coldplay sound like they’re having fun again.
(Parlophone)