Every Coldplay Album Ranked Worst To Best
The best and worst from the pop rock masters.
Out of all the rock bands to come out of the woodwork in the 21st century, Coldplay has been one of the most accessible. Their unique brand of alternative rock mixed with pop hooks made them great crossover artists on the pop charts. Their songs were the perfect compositions that could help expose the rock sound to the uninitiated.
Across their career, the band were always finding ways to tamper with their original sound, often incorporating electronic and pop elements into the fray. Lead singer Chris Martin has also found ways to stretch lyrically while staying true to the emotional core of what Coldplay is.
Throughout their tenure, the band has yet to release an album that is a grave misfire or misguided mess. However, there is a definitely series of lowlights and highlights amongst the band's discography. Even with the band's subtle lows, exceptional songs can be found on each of these albums. As we take a look back on Coldplay's studio output, you may find some undiscovered gems and fantastic deep cuts that are well worth the musical journey. And away we go...
8. A Head Full of Dreams
While this stands as Coldplay's worst album technically, by no means should any fan overlook A Head Full of Dreams. Some of Coldplay's most pop-centric singles appear on this album like "Hymn for the Weekend" and "Adventure of a Lifetime," along with deep cuts like "Everglow" and album closer "Up&Up" which reflect the authentic Coldplay magic.
This would go under the category of Coldplay's feel-good record, with tracks that are mostly upbeat and a laid-back vibe. As a followup to their darker turn on Ghost Stories, it's understandable why the band would want to move away from that dour songwriting approach.
However, the album does seem a bit underwhelming as a whole. The initial positive vibes tend to wear out their welcome after repeated listens and the interludes on the record do seem to function as pit stops rather than an actual artistic inclusion. This record may not have as many show-stopping moments as their previous material, but it doesn't really need to either. This is a perfect example of an album you can turn on, turn your brain off, and have a good time. Not the band's most artistic effort, but still good for what it is.