Coldplay is back. The British rock band behind hits such as “Viva La Vida,” “A Sky Full Of Stars,” and “Fix You” dropped their eighth album titled “Everyday Life” on Nov. 22. 

Personally, I am a fan of this genre of music, and this album was no exception; however, very little of it was worthy of the band’s previous acclaim. This album deals with a message of an attempt to get back to humanity. Thematic concepts such as love, equality, pain, struggles, legacy, humanity, and hope are woven throughout the album’s 52 minutes. At its highest point, it reached seventh on the Billboard Hot 200 Albums.

Let’s start off with the songs I didn’t enjoy. My least favorite song was “Èkó.” This song seemed like one they threw in last-minute. The song’s lyrics did have meaning of someone trying to find a home in a new country, but nothing really stood out from it. Another song that seemed like it was thrown in was “Cry Cry Cry.” Between the two true “slow” songs on this album, this was the weaker one; however, the lyrics did make an impression about coming to someone’s side when they cry or are sad. This is a good slow song, adding to the rest of the band’s repertoire. Another song that has a strong message but is feels like it was thrown in is “بنی آدم (Children of Adam).” This song, which has a strong beginning section, ends abruptly.  Although it has a good message of unity among people, this feels like one that was thrown in at the end due to its uneasy transitions between sections. 

A couple songs could definitely have used some work before the release. Songs such as “Guns,” “Trouble in Town,” and “Sunrise,” although the last one is instrumental, could use some work. Although all of these songs were ones that were enjoyable, these needed some work to elevate them to the highest level. “Guns” very much reminds me of a western, country song that criticizes the use of America’s “addiction” to guns, however, doesn’t stand up to the rest of the group’s most popular work. “Trouble in Town” was a song that I originally liked; however, the more I listened to it, the song seemed to get worse. The song did have an interesting instrumental section near the end. “Sunrise” is an instrumental song for the album’s first song, and it serves its purpose. It’s a nice, peaceful song that works good for the opening. However, this song doesn’t compare to the other songs that are used for normal opening numbers.   

There are three standout songs on the album. The “best of the best” is definitely “Orphans.” This song very much reminded me of “Viva la Vida” as a pop song that shares a story. “Orphans” is about the Syrian Civil War. It showcases the story of a girl (Rosaleem) and her Baba (Arabic for father) who are now refugees and are met by what they believe to be the archangels, which is most probably someone aiding them in the refugee crisis. Rosaleem wants to go home, which leads to the eventual chorus, stating, “I want to know when I can go back and be young again.” This song is very catchy and is one of the few songs that I actually don’t mind listening to. Another great song is “Arabesque.” This song is influenced by rock, jazz, and multiple cultures, with sections in French and English, and also contains a saxophone solo. This song has a lick that is very catchy and makes it one of the best. As I said earlier, there are two true “slow” songs. “Daddy” is the better of the two. This song is very reminiscent of “Fix You,” and this makes it strong. Chris Martin, Coldplay’s frontman, says “[This song] is partly about how I feel about myself as a dad, how I’m a bit too absent when I’m touring. It’s a lot to do with certain people in my life, their dads have either left or are not really engaged.” This song is clearly one of the strongest, as it has a strong piano beat and is one of the reasons why this album is not average. 

There are two other songs that deserves an honorable mention. “Everyday Life,” the last song and the title track, sums up the album’s message of love, equality, and hope. This is another song on the slower side and is one of the songs that make an impact on the album and closes it very well. The other song that deserves an honorable mention is “Champion of the World.” This song is a slowish rock song that is enjoyable and is a tribute to someone who took their own life. 

In conclusion, this album is a triumphant return for Coldplay. Yes, most albums by most artists aren’t all standout songs, like this one, but it has a great mix of those songs that are standouts and ones that are not. The best five songs are “Orphans,” “Daddy,” “Arabesque,” “Everyday Life,” and “Champion of the World.” This album deserves an A- (91%). Although there are multiple songs that are probably there because the band likes them, the top tier is truly elite, and this album is a must-listen to for all fans of Coldplay and alternative rock.