First, sounds like an ambient sleep album, and second, I dont hear any live drumming going on this whole album///

Amazing job.

Magical and beautiful

The last good thing Coldplay ever made before selling out. It's a shame how bad they've become but Ghost Stories is a beautiful end to one of the 2000's best alt rock bands.

Best album ever

This is by far the greatest album of music I've ever heard in my life (along with Aquilo - Silhouettes) the pure raw purging soul emotions of love and why we're here are truly indescribable in audible words and this has changed my life with such emotional release and empowerment ever since it was released. This album is the heart and soul of what it means to feel on every level and it's the defining work of emotional existence. Thank You for changing this world Coldplay All blessings for continued happiness

This album is much, MUCH deeper and more philisophical than people give it credit for, and A Sky Full of Stars gives it a bad rep, and is an inaccurate representation of the album as a whole. To start, Midnight is genius. Hands down. Genius. It channels a bit of Kid A, but Coldplay makes it more melodic, something that Radiohead (despite their lyrical and musical genius) couldn't always do. The lyrics of Midnight are also some of Chris Martin's best. The next song worthy of noting is Oceans, which is reminiscent of one of their more obscure but best songs, Easy to Please (off the Brothers and Sisters EP, one of their best releases). The feeling Oceans evokes is simply stunning, with his voice perfectly blending into haunting guitar and synths. What's best about this song is that the emotion is pure, unadulturated, and honest. Gone are songs about young love unrequited (Shiver), or the overly dramatic and slighty cotrived sappieness of Fix You, replaced with a pure and hollow feeling of loss. All in all, this album doesn't get the credit it's due. And its nice to see them veering away from mainstream (at least on a few of the songs).

"Magic" and "Midnight" specifically stand out, but the whole album is a masterpiece. Coldplay makes yet again, a wonderful album.

Absolutely love this album!!!

This is my favorite Coldplay album. It's just amazing. It's definitely a sad album but I like that kind of music. The sound is amazing.

Ghost Stories took awhile to grow on me but it's really a great album for when you just want to chill. "True Love" is haunting. "Magic" is a great song. "Midnight" is another highlight as is "Another's Arms".

Coldplay heavily experimented with this one, and if i had to use one word to describe it I would use "ambience". Each song is set within its own world that is fully displayed through chris martins vocals and the heavy synthesized background. No space is left unfilled, sound encompasses every direction. I love this album, as I have loved every album before now. This just might be my favorite.

This is what Coldplay is good at. Beautiful album!

Love love love Coldplay and really dig the way they keep their sound fresh. This aLbum is deep, personal, has a groove and is very well made in so many ways. Just beautiful. And that guitar line in "real love" is sick.

This is my favorite album simply because it gives so much meaning. All the songs I could listen to millions of times over

When I die, I'm taking this album with me.

Wasn't such a big fan of this album as most of the songs were about heartbreak and loss. I've been a fan of their music ever since hearing Clocks when I was a kid, but was really fading away from them at the time. Around December 2014, my dog became sick and I was forced to euthanize him. It really tore me apart with guilt and sadness. I've had my dog since he was a puppy and we grew up together. I was really depressed for the following months. Then I started listening to this album and it really helped me get my head up again. A Sky Full Of Stars really made me smile once more. It got me back to listening to Coldplay's music and reminded me why they have always been my favorites.

stop saying that they are good anymore they are even better

I recently just got into Coldplay and when I first heard this album I didn't like it very much,but now it is really amazing and it gets the job done very well.

Cuz in the sky full of staaaarr...

Is in my wish list please

This is the most underrated Coldplay album. The emotion and brillance behind the lyrics show Coldplays incredible versatility. You need to own this album. (sidetone: if a perfect song has ever been written, it is the final track O (Fly On)) thank you Coldplay for this incredible album

My favorite was sky full of stars

Ghost Stories is an anomaly. For Coldplay, it's the point where they COMPLETELY ditch their previous sounds for a much more experimental, risky 9 track effort. This is the closest they've gotten to Parachutes since Parachutes, which should overjoyed any lover of Coldplay. However, since the release of Ghost Stories, Coldplay has released A Head Full of Dreams. This is a completely safe album, likening closer to the pop influences of Mylo Xyloto than anything else. If you're unhappy with Ghost Stories, please examine why you like Coldplay in the first place, because this is an incredible work of art.

It's one of my favs from Coldplay. Very calm and chilling.

Ghost Stories is an experience. Every element of it, from the ambient, spacey feeling given off from “Always in My Head,” “Oceans,” or “Midnight,” to the more upbeat “Magic” and “A Sky full of Stars” has a specific purpose. This is my ultimate breakup album, and I am probably biased, but I feel that it really spoke to me. Like Chris Martin said, it was meant to be a more personal expression, something he had to get out, no matter what critics thought. That’s what music is all about people. When someone puts that kind of emotion into telling a musical story, it creates something beautiful. If you’ve dismissed this album or have only listened to a few songs, put it on on a cool summer night at 2 AM, and listen to the whole thing through, then reevaluate it.

In love with Magic.

I love this album, not gonna lie, it really scared me that you were gonna screw it up, but you didn't. Honestly, this is a really good album on its own and isn't just a cop-off of the other albums. It's like that every year. They do different thoughts and ideas on each album. Which is really good because they turn out really well. All the people that hate this album just liked the old albums and don't want their sounds to evolve to new heights, but I encourage that with different bands, I want them to try something different. And this is a whole different thing, and I like it. Good job Coldplay, you did good

this is the best band ever,period.even better then the beetles.

I love all of their albums with the exception of the first. This one is no different. Its music that for me at least, is healthy for the mind.

In 1979 the rip-roaring heavy metal band KISS released a disco-like album to mix in with the times and remain on top 10.

I feel Coldplay is going the same route. This album on has been nothing but modern pop instead of alt-rock, the way Coldplay has always been

Magic is dope

One to relax, or one to get high on. It’s one of those albums. And I must say, I really like it! The only upbeat song on here is “A Sky Full of Stars”. But it’s still an amazing album to listen to. Give it a shot; don’t listen to the haters!

The title of my review says it all. This is the greatest album of all time.

With moving and touching music that not only makes you addicted, but it takes you on a journey of feelings.

This album, is simply their worst album. Simply put, it was a flop.

Just listening to this album gave me chills. I grew up listening to Coldplay and their sound does change, but it's definitely not for the worst. I hope they keep coming out with new music and keep doing what they feel is right. So far, they are doing fantastic.

Keep up the great work peeps!!!

Though not up to Prospekt's March standards, Ghost Stories stands up to repeated listening over the years. Not great in range, but very enjoyable quiet gems.

Standouts: True Love, Oceans, Midnight, Sky.

Great album I really love Ink and A Sky Full Of Stars :-) keep rockin out coldplay!!!

A fantastic album by my favorite band. The music and vocals are great

Bliss , what I love about them!

Amazing

This is such a fantastic album by Coldplay. They did a really good job to this album. I've been a big fan of Coldplay since their first album, Parachutes. I love all of their albums and songs and this album has a really nice, mellow, and pop rock tune to it. I love all the songs in the album. Here are the reviews to all of the songs.

1. Always in my head- A really good way to start off the album. Really nice and smooth song. Love it!

2. Magic- This is one of my favorite songs in the album in my opinion. This such a good song and really smooth, too.

3. Ink- a really nice and good song. I love the beat to it, too

4. True Love- A truly nice and love like song. Really good!

5. Midnight- Another song that I love in the album. A really relaxing and smooth song. Love the ambient to the song, too

6. Another's Arms- Another good and smooth song to listen to.

7. Oceans- This one of the most relaxing and chilling songs to listen to in the album. Such a good song to fall asleep in. Love it!

8. A Sky Full of Stars- This is one of the best songs in the album and my favorite. A really fantastic song to dance and listen to. Also, I recommend for you to buy it.

9. O (Hidden Track)- A really nice way to end the album and a really good relaxing song.

Coming off the explosion of color that was Mylo Xyloto, Coldplay pulled the reigns back and stripped their music down to basic sonic rhythms. This album could have easily become an over-produced mess but instead it was produced and fine tuned to the point of absolute and total perfection; clear, cut, precise, and to the point. Nothing in this Album occurs unless it was designed that way. Coldplay clearly had something to say, and this album says it with little distraction. Ghost Stories is a small, smartly written, and neatly placed package that stands among their best work.

Yet another amazing album by the greatest band in the world!

it was great

This threw me off at first, but then I listened and I really loved it. I was quick to judge. It turned out to be one of my favorite albums. Sometimes you need a little slow music in your life. This is perfect. I love. :)

Amazing sound with endless emotions

tf i like almost every song on this album this honestly isn't that different like what r u talking about.. Coldplay always creates sonically wonderful music and this is no exception like maybe if all you like is only some of their older stuff then you not liking this would make sense, but if you also like albums like Viva La Vida & Mylo Xyloto then this really isn't much of a stretch? i wholeheartedly feel that Ghost Stories still has that same Coldplay feel to it as much as all their other work does... u guys r delusional

I love how every album they release has a certain “flair” about it, each one being fresh and befitting of their time period. From what I’ve heard it sounds great and flows with the album title and cover. Coldplay never disappoints me, and for any complaints over being too mainstream or other hipster B.S. that’s too bad for them. I’ll just enjoy the quality of music they give every time.

EDIT: It’s been over a year for me to reflect on this album. I’ll actually say that this album may have grown into my favorite one overall (I bought the Target one w/bonus tracks). I just love the atmosphere the music and art conveys. I don’t know, it just hits some place in me.

Now their new album “Head Full of Dreams” is coming out soon, and I can understand a little why fans become a little divisive about ColdPlay’s new music. Each person has their own tastes and may have loved their earlier sound, but have an absolute dislike towards the type of music they are now experimenting with. I have a pretty broad range of music I can appreciate, so their new sound is no bother to me. I still think their high quality of musicianship is still there, its just that some people want them to hearken back to the music that fit their tastes more. I admit, seeing them approach a sort of Parachutes #2 album with the experience they have now sounds like an awesome idea. We’ll just have to see.

Compared to their last 4-5 CD’s this one is boring. Listened twice and just do not get into it like the past. I will put it on at night when I can’t sleep.

I love this album. It's so different from the previous music I loved from them, but it speaks more to my heart than anything else they have put out. These songs are beautiful

This album is terrible and sounds like it was completely phoned in. I'm thankful that it only has 9 tracks. Should have been a Chris Martin solo project because the rest of the band is nonexistent. Very disappointing...

This is basically a Chris Martin solo album - there are no actual instruemnts being played. Don't get me wrong, I love a lot this band's material and have seen them 7 times. But there is nothing exciting about this album. In 10 years, when they are still playing stadiums, they won't be playing any of the "songs" from this album.

This. This is not my Coldplay. And while I understand that I don't own the band or their artistic decisions, I do wish that they would continue to cater to the fan base who fell in love with Parachutes and other similar albums. I love that Coldplay. That folky, melancholy at times, romantic and beautiful Coldplay. This, this new poppy sound, feels as cheap and sad as Chris' "conscious uncoupling." I don't approve. And I know my little review doesn't matter a jot, and I know that your opinions are different. And that's ok. And new Coldplay is ok. But when it comes to music, i choose not to settle for ok. I'll stick to Parachutes.

And since when is Coldplay an "album only"band?!

Now I have heard 6 and a half of their 9 songs (plus one hidden track in O) and the three songs the most people have heard, Magic, Midnight, and A Sky Full of Stars, are the most expirimental songs on the album. Always in My Head is short but has a great sound to it like off Rush of Blood to The Head and the studio version is much better than the live version. Another's Arms is one of my favorites, although not the best lyrically and a little weird, it is the only song on the album with that classic Coldplay buildup. Oceans is a great acoustic track that sounds like it was off Parachutes but with a little electronic vibe. O is a piano ballad with a nice sound that I have only heard part of. I don't know why everyone can say this album is not like the old Coldplay if they haven't even heard half of the album yet!

I've heard snippets and some full versions of 7 out of the 9 songs, and I'm not surprised that I've fallen in love with this album already. I knew I would the minute I found out there would be a sixth album. This group of four men are the most talented artists and poets of our time in my opinion; their music and themselves as people have become such a large part of my life as I've grown up that I can't imagine being without them. Obviously this review might seem a bit biased BUT with all of my opinions and personal experiences set aside, you cannot deny that this album is beautiful already. Instead of complaining about the monotone synthetic electro theme that you've heard so far, focus on the lyrics, the beauty of the instrumentals, and the story progression of the album itself. You all know Coldplay. They don't write empty songs in order to flow with the path of modern music. Their music has ALWAYS been breathtakingly beautiful in every aspect and if you truly take the time to listen to the lyrics, analyze meanings, and appreciate the absolutely inexplicable talent it takes to create the art that these men do, then hopefully you'll quit bashing them for "changing too much." They're experimenting and taking risks such as these because they can; they're one of if not the single biggest and greatest bands in the world and they're trying to appeal to a more broad audience. I listened to a snippet of O today and let me tell you that all of you saying this album is hollow and meaningless need to think twice because this album is completely filled with stories and meanings and lessons and memories that are portrayed in the beautiful way that only Coldplay can portray them. This band is a blessing to all music and I wish people appreciated that more.

These songs are extremely beautiful, original, clean, yet still sonically rich and deep. What more do you want??? I hope the rest of the album builds from these. Great job Coldplay at never settling for rehashing old sounds, and pushing forward even if you know haters are lurking around the corner, almost all of whom could not write a song half as good as these.

At a private Coldplay show and I have to say its a great album. Magic their single I'm not a big fan of but luckily they have 3 amazing songs on their album. a sky full of stars, ink , Another's arms and midnight are plain masterpieces . I already preordered the album

Even from the album art and the two songs they’ve released, it’s easy to tell Coldplay has outdone themselves again with the creative vision and thought they’ve put into this album.

I’m sick of the stupidity of people who complain that “Coldplay isn’t supposed to be a pop group” or “This album only has 9 songs, that’s disappointing.” If Coldplay was a pop group they would have NEVER released “Midnight" on their website before they released "Magic.” Each of their albums is totally different, so don’t complain to me that they’ve sold out and gone pop just because their last album had more pop elements in it. People who complain about that hate whatever forward movements Coldplay makes in the first place. And a 9 song album means a tight, concise album (see also: Prince, Radiohead).

I’m tired of seeing all this crap thrown at Coldplay. They can do what they want and they also do it very well so let them be already and let yourself enjoy the work of some of the most creative minds in music today.

After hearing a good selection of this new album at SXSW, I think it is fantastic. Coldplay is still Coldplay! Even more excited now than I was before! Why so much negativity based off of two songs that are released, and not the whole album?

It pains me to see so many people rating this at one-star simply because Coldplay has taken a new direction with their music. I've been listening to them since Parachutes, and even though it still is my favorite of all their albums, I've gone into every single one with an open mind, and have thoroughly enjoyed all of them, and for the record, from what we've heard so far, the spirit of this album is a lot more like classic Coldplay than Mylo Xyloto was. By far. Anyone calling this "pop" is out of their minds. Both Midnight and Magic are quiet plainly minimalistic and experimental, which is a genre Coldplay is all about- breaking common musical barriers and pulling a "punk-rock" with their sound. They've definitely re-invented themselves, but in a way that's positive, not negative.

Before going on a tirade about what you think this album will or won’t be, why not, I don’t know…WAIT until the full album is out and then do what you do best and bash it. Basing your critique of an album before it is even out and you have had a chance to listen to it is ill-advised. Thank goodness you are “FAN” of the group. Geez, with fans like these, who needs enemies. I, for one, will wait for the full release to make a comment about the new album. So far, I’m actually liking what I’m hearing. We will see how it all comes together.

Magic isn't bad. People are overreacting. You can't expect them to sound the same as 7 years ago.

based solely off midnight and magic this album could possibly dethrone mylo xyloto as coldplay's worst album ever

Coldplay was the best band of all time... For the first four albums

Everyone needs to stop complaining. Coldplay has been around for so long because they have constantly changed their sound to keep with the times. Do you honestly think that if they kept their sound the same as the parachutes era for the rest of their career they would be half as popular?? No, because music is constantly changing and they know how to keep making music people want to listen to.

And stop assuming the whole album is going to sound like Magic, WE HAVE ONLY HEARD TWO SONGS OUT OF THE ENTIRE ALBUM STOP ASSUMING THINGS AND JUST WAIT FOR THE ALBUM TO COME OUT OMG really people.

Are you kidding me. #1: they used a drum machine. This is understandable(maybe) for solo pop singers who don't have a band to play with, but Coldplay has a drummer. Will Champion. What has he been doing? #2 how many times can you possibly say "and I don't" in one song. I could have written this song. I get that some people are bad songwriters, but they've written great songs. This is just so lazy. I guess because they know people will flock blindly to whatever pop garbage they put out and slap some cool artwork on. R.I.P. Coldplay's balls

magic is repetitive and it lacks depth or meaning. midnight sounds (and the video looks) like an LSD trip and UGH so...much...reverb -_- what happened to the strong melodies and complex dynamics and powerful lyrics i love so much?? coldplay please don't get pulled into pop like paramore did :'( you guys are kings what are you doingggg D: i really hope the rest of the album has some ballads maybe it won't be as disappointing as we think...?

Changing your style doesn't make it okay to put out garbage!

No matter what style you choose to present your songs in....garbage is garbage.

Yes, Coldplay has changed. It is obvious. However, they have not changed for the worse. In my opinion nothing compares to "Parachutes." but this new stuff is also great. In reality nobody wants to listen to 6 albums from a band that sound exactly the same. That would be boring. Coldplay is not experimenting; they know exactly what they are doing. "Midnight" is a haunting track with outstadning vocals. Sure there are effects added to Chris's voice, but it is still the same falsetta and beauty we are used too. And for "Magic," it sounds like an old Coldplay tune turned into a pop song. It is fantastic and catchy. I have a feeling this album will contain many surprises based on how different each single has sounded so far. I am sure it will all flow together flawlessly. And on a final note, you can't rate an entire album based on 2 songs! When 'Mylo Xyloto" came out everyone knew the "pop" songs, but when you put them all together into a full album it had a beautiful flow and it all made sense. This album is going to make sense. So for all you haters out there, just give it some time. Give it a chance. I am so excited for this album! Coldplay rules.

First off, this piece of work is nothing close to being single material. I could imagine this maybe playing in the background while I do some homework but certainly not any sound I'd have a genuine emotional connection with. Not even regarding what Coldplay used to sound like, if I heard this song playing on the radio or just happened to stumble upon it, I wouldn't be too thrilled with it. The fact that this came from Coldplay, a band that has made more than one absolutely perfect album which I could happily listen to all the way through, is just the icing on top of the disappointment cake. Let's hope it gets better from here.

Not good….this is just synthetic music. What is the band gonna do during a concert? Stand there and look at a machine play loops?? This is not good…..at all.

What Happened to "Parachutes" "A Rush Of Blood To The Head" Coldplay. That's the Coldplay we want back, no this Pop-Modern band! If You have been listening to Coldplay since they first started! This is a huge Dissapointment!

Parachutes, Rush of Blood, X & Y, those are spectacular albums. Death and All His Friends is good. The one before this is not good. (it is so bad I don't recall the name of it) Now I can appreciate Coldplay wants to re-define itself but this is trash. The last good single I enjoyed was Christmas Lights. The song they did for Catching Fire sucked too. It seems Coldplay can barf out an album, put their stamp on it and it will sell. Wrong. Other bands have tried this before....and failed. I think this is the end for Chris and the boys.

Coldplay used to be incredible. Their songs were emotional, original. Now, each song sounds like it took a few minutes to write, then an hour to lay in computer-generated beats and a little synthesizer. It's lazy, and I've lost so much respect for Chris Martin and company with every release since A Rush Of Blood To The Head. Modern pop music is just lazy, emotionless, copied trash.

Coldplay is, and will forever be, one of if not the greatest bands of all time. Since the beginning Coldplay has done nothing but release phenomenal albums, captivating music listeners around the world. People have become bitter to the attempt given by the latest Mylo Xyloto, but should those who have turned their backs on this band be considered fans at all? The answer is no. Keep making flawless records Coldplay, and true fans will appreciate your outstanding work no matter the sound.

I have high expectations for this album for a few reasons. One, Coldplay is a great band. Two, they do not produce the same style of albums over and over - they take risk. Three, this album seems to have a more mellow mood, which Coldplay excels at. Finally and sadly, Mylo Xyloto was not a great album. So far I love the single, Magic!

To those of you who are hating on their newest music saying, "they've changed so much" and "the new "pop" coldplay is awful".... Do you expect them to keep coming out with the same exact sound of music album after album? If you want to hear more of the same stuff, put those albums on repeat for the rest of your life. I'm not saying i love all of their new songs, but I'm not saying I loved all of their old ones either. Coldplay was and always will be a great band- just because you do not like they're new music doesn't mean it's any less as good as their originals--it's just new. Sounds pretty good to me. Excited for this album.

Or does magic not sound ANY good... I love Coldplay with paradise, clocks, viva la vida, yellow, life in technicolor... But this... What is this

Vapid, the "Magic" single. Musically and lyrically uninteresting. We'll see if they're done. Hope not. Life is so much richer with good Coldplay.

Cold play used to be great until they went in this crappy mainstream direction

Really though, awful.

I don't really like this new synthetic, minimalist tone Coldplay has gone into

Let me be the first to say that Coldplay is not a "pop group". Heavy experimenting with another genre shouldn't be done on an entire album, maybe an EP, but not an album. I didn't wait 3 years to hear Coldplay practically get rid of the other 3 members of the band and flip their entire sound to pop and electronic. They've replaced their lively music with this. They weaved together such beautiful sounds that you couldn't pin point one but just listen as they played together in a symphony that lifted your entire being up. How is Chris Martin supposed to dance around on stage to this single bass beat music? Given this review is based off of the first two songs, which clearly set the tempo for the rest of the album, but I guess we'll all have to wait and see.

I love Coldplay and I'm stoked about Ghost Stories coming, but Magic sounded almost... R&B-ish. I love you Colplay, but this is just kind of weird.

This isn't Coldplay, this is freakin crap! I didn't know Coldplay was trying to be the postal service or owl city. Not worth money or time listening to.

One of the worst songs ever

It seems like Coldplay is trying to take a more modern/pop direction or at least that's what it seems like from this single. They've also decided to have their album with only 9 songs.... That's a bit disappointing, maybe they will later release a deluxe version with extra songs but for now these seems like a pretty lazy and rushed album. The single is decent but if this is what they've chosen for the lead/main single for the album the. I'm a bit worried...

"Magic" is a very good song that feels somewhat different from other Coldplay songs. It has an intimate, minimalistic and very new-age feel. It is a song that represent the modern era very well. "Atlas" and "Magic" are good indicators that this album will be much better than Coldplay's previous album, which had a more stream-lined and poppy sound. This album, so far, feels much more like a dark, yet optimistic and colorful soundscape that fits more in-line with Coldplay's first three albums while also adding something new.

I've always been a fan of you guys, keep it up Chris. I love the variety between albums as you have grown and changed; I have things to listen from you for each of the moods I experience throughout my week and life. Really excited for more great music from you. Thank you :)

Loving the new direction of their music.

Magic is such a beautiful song. I love this new Coldplay!

Coldplay has always created such perfect music. I loved their last album and I'm excited to hear this one. Can't wait until the release!

This just made my entire month. Coldplay can never go wrong

It's great to see them continue to explore sonic landscapes. It's very immersive from an instrumental standpoint.

Its been 3 years & their finnaly back . ghost stories seems like is gonna be a great album as you can see . Magic sounds like a great song , just pre-order this album . finnaly, cant wait (:

Listened to "Midnight" and I was immediately hooked to this new side of Coldplay, triggering that same addiction I had to Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek" years ago with the same vocoder-style that she used. It didn't stop at "Midnight", though. Their electric and simplistic personality in "Midnight" carried over into "Magic" with a simple beat, awesome vocals and great backgrounds! Super excited for the rest of the album!!

Is it just me, OR CAN I NOT WAIT??

I think I will love this album...!