COLDPLAY COUNTDOWN: WORST TO BEST ALBUMS (FEAT. MIDNIGHT)

They've released a brand new song for their upcoming untitled release "Midnight." How do their albums stack up?

BRAND NEW TRACK - MIDNIGHT

Eeerie, slow-building, Bon-Iver-like vocals. A total win.

X&Y (2005)

Though the album has many fan favorites, the entirety of X&Y feels bloated, redundant, and an effort that plays as though they were trying to make a better version of "Rush of Blood to the Head."

RATING - C+

FAVORITE TRACK - Fix You

FIX YOU

MYLO XYLOTO (2011)

Though the album proved to be divisive among hardcore followers (including myself), due to its often times incoherent "concept" and tacky lyrics, it edges out X&Y purely for the fact that it's a fun listen and has many surprising elements to it.RATING - B-FAVORITE TRACK - Every Teardrop is a Waterfall

EVERY TEARDROP IS A WATERWALL

PARACHUTE (2000)

The album that was in every teenage bedroom in the UK and US in the early 00s, "Parachutes" launched one of the most successful Pop-Rock careers in the last 3 decades with it's honest lyrics, brilliant writing, and it's subtley effective production. Also, Chris Martin #swoon

RATING - A-

FAVORITE TRACK - Trouble

TROUBLE

VIVA LA VIDA (OR DEATH AND ALL OF HIS FRIENDS) (2008)

Many call this Coldplay's defining album. Rather then stick to formula and re-tread similar sonic ground (like they did with X&Y), Coldplay opted to do a 180 instead. Using the concept of a 'revolution' and drawing on themes of struggle, war, and death, Coldplay crafted a set of 10 (or 12 depending on how you look at it) tracks that felt honed, focused, and rich - all elements that benefited the album as a whole.

RATING - A

FAVORITE TRACK - VIVA LA VIDA

VIVA LA VIDA

A RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD (2002)

A masterclass in crafting a Pop-Rock album. From the intense first notes of 'Politik,' through the final beautiful wash of 'Amsterdam,' Coldplay found their voice and hit us hard. #alltheemotions

RATING - A+

FAVORITE TRACK - In My Place

IN MY PLACE