Setting aside any cynicism one may have about the convenience of Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow's conscious uncoupling announcement in March and its convenient timing ahead of Coldplay's sixth album release in May, listening to Ghost Stories does seem to back up Martin's claim that it was inspired by his recent life experiences.
It's a more understated, more downbeat album than 2011's Mylo Xyloto, less stadium-oriented, more melancholy and reflective, though still universal in its musings on love.
They continue to experiment with musical textures and production ideas - there's an emphasis on atmospheres, filled with quiet humming, all futuristic and spacious.
But it's still Coldplay through and through. Martin's distinctive vocals aside, there's still those ringing guitar riffs, insistent rhythmic patterns and some simple yet almighty hooks. Less "wooaaahs" all up, but then you listen to Magic, the most immediately successful track on the record, and you realise they're still using their trademarks, just more subtly.
Ink has a jaunty percussion riff and some nicely building chord progressions but these are paired with vocals that sound a little more raw and off-the-cuff than usual, which contemplate the lack of permanence and certainty when it comes to love.
