YOU’D be forgiven for assuming Coldplay’s latest offering might sound like the same old stuff after ten albums and 24 years since their debut record.
They are selling out stadiums around the world and preparing for a record ten-night run at Wembley next August.
But does anyone really want another batch of tracks from Chris Martin and the gang?
More importantly, is it any good?
I’m happy to say that on both fronts it’s a big yes.
Moon Music delivers. It mixes classic Coldplay with more futuristic and experimental offerings.
All My Love is reminiscent of their 2005 mega-hit Fix You and is certain to be a favourite with fans and newlyweds looking for a first dance.
Chris sings: “We’ve been through low, been through sunshine, been through snow. You’ve got all my love, whether it rains or pours, I’m all yours.”
We Pray and Aeterna are their most electronic and quirky tracks in years.
The latter opens with an electronic vocoder before a funky Bee Gees-inspired beat kicks in.
My only criticism is Coldplay have continued with a tradition set by 2021 album Music Of The Spheres and named one track as an emoji.
Luckily, I can’t see (rainbow emoji) being a single anytime soon, as it’s more than six minutes of whimsical, uplifting chords.
Lyrically, Moon Music is cheese, but then when have Coldplay ever done otherwise? Jupiter’s repetitive “I love who I love” chorus feels like the “live, laugh, love” of music.
But I bet you it will be chanted back to them with euphoric gusto come the group’s 2025 UK shows.
The album ends with One World, opening with a bird chorus reminiscent of their Beyonce collaboration Hymn For The Weekend. Over strings and synths, Chris softly sings: “In the end it’s just love.”
And I think he’s right. I can’t see this breaking their run of nine No1 albums.
Jack Hardwick
COLDPLAY
Moon Music
★★★★☆
LANA DEL REY has told fans that she is “very happy” after tying the knot in a surprise wedding.
She got hitched last week to alligator tour guide Jeremy Dufrene in a low-key ceremony in Louisiana, following a whirlwind romance.
In a comment posted on her Instagram account, she wrote: “Jeremy is the one and only.
“And amazing. And we’re very happy.”
LILY’S STILL UNSURE OF TOUR
LILY ALLEN is considering embarking on her first tour in six years and says it could be mortifying.
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In 2026 it will be 20 years since she released her debut album Alright, Still, but she is unsure whether to mark that.
Lily said on her Miss Me podcast: “I do think maybe there is a conversation to be had about doing a 20th anniversary tour of Alright, Still – but that person singing those songs is a relative child.
“I can’t imagine being a 40- year-old woman standing up on stage singing those songs with any conviction. My voice is different.”
But she added: “I think I could possibly connect with It’s Not Me, It’s You, my second album, a bit more than I can my first.
“It came out in 2009 so that gives me five years. But I’ll be 45. I’ll have had the facelift, the boob job and the bum lift by then.”
I don’t think she’s even joking.
TOGETHER Again – the UK’s newest music festival – has announced a line-up featuring UB40, Jake Bugg, Scouting For Girls, Gabrielle and East 17.
The headliners are yet to be revealed but the three-day event held at Bolesworth Castle in Cheshire will run from July 25 to 27.
Weekend tickets start from £99, with kids and grandparents going free.
BLUR SHOT A WEMBLEY WINNER
A SHOT from Blur’s comeback gigs at Wembley Stadium last summer has won Music Moment of the Year.
The 2024 Abbey Road Music Photography Awards were held at the historic studios in West London last night, where Tom Pallant’s picture of the band’s guitarist Graham Coxon on stage, scooped the prize.
Tom said: “Knowing Graham would launch his guitar 20ft in the air, I was ready to capture the exact moment.
“It’s the only time I’ve ever shouted ‘Yes!’ out loud after getting a shot.”
Top photographer Rankin, who was the lead judge, said: “The work this year has surpassed my expectations, it’s really elevating the standard to new heights.
“We’ve received an overwhelming 22,000 images, making the selection process challenging and inspiring.”
Perrie’s next step
PERRIE EDWARDS gets a step up in her career as she poses on a ladder to launch new single You Go Your Way.
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She looked incredible in this shoot for Euphoria magazine ahead of the track’s release today. But the former Little Mix singer faces fierce competition.
She has put out the track on one of the busiest days of the year so far for fun pop releases.
Eurovision winner Nemo has returned with the single Eurostar while Ella Henderson has dropped Filthy Rich, her first solo track in two years.
Other new releases include Aitch’s FWG, Rizzle Kicks’ Gumdrops, and Billy Flynn of Bethnal Green by Louis Dunford.
Blackpink’s Lisa has put out her solo single Moonlit Floor, while Rag’n’Bone Man has dropped his latest tune, Pocket.
RUGRATS: THE CREEPY CRAWLERS
I LOVED the American cartoon series Rugrats when I was a kid, but its return sounds downright weird.
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It’s been announced that a live-action movie is in the works, complete with CGI babies.
The original animated series, which launched in 1991, was bright and fun.
But I can only imagine that watching actual toddlers chat and scheme will be creepy and uncomfortable.
Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster, Phil and Lil DeVille and Angelica Pickles will all appear in the movie, which has been written by Saturday Night Live stars Mikey Day and Streeter Seidell.
I’m hoping I will be proved wrong, given I was very sceptical before the Barbie movie became a hugely successful blockbuster.
But putting babies on the big screen feels wrong to me.
ANGELINA LINKED TO BRIT RAPPER
AFTER Brad Pitt went public with his girlfriend Ines De Ramon in August, ex-wife Angelina Jolie appears to be showing off a special someone in her life too.
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She has been romantically linked to British rapper and political activist Akala, the brother of Ms Dynamite.
They were first seen together in August at the Venice Film Festival and he was recently pictured with Angelina and her son Pax at the New York premiere of her latest film Maria.
But speculation grew when he attended a party she threw for her company Atelier Jolie at the weekend. He was spotted in the background of photos shared online from the bash.
However, those close to the actress insist they are just pals.
A source said: “They share the same passion when it comes to social and humanitarian causes.
“They did several collabs over the years. Angie speaks very highly of him.”
It’s claimed he has a partner called Chanelle, who has apparently been with him at events when he’s been seen with Ange.
These celebs know how to keep us on our toes.
Ape that, Robbie
ROBBIE WILLIAMS has been transformed into an ape in his upcoming biopic – and he has finally explained why.
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The first trailer for Better Man has just been released and shows a chimpanzee, as the singer.
Rob says in the snippet: “I know what you’re thinking, what’s with the monkey?
“I’m Robbie Williams. I’m one of the biggest pop stars in the world but I’ve always seen myself a little less evolved.”
I’ll reserve judgment until it hits cinemas on Boxing Day.