Up in Flames
A concept album about love, rebellion, and colour on a dystopian planet.
Mylo Xyloto is the fifth studio album by British rock band Coldplay, released by Parlophone on 19 October 2011 in Japan and 24 October 2011 in the rest of the world. It is the band's first concept album and a thematic rock opera.
- Status
- Existing
- Source Material
- Mylo Xyloto
- Album Association
- Mylo Xyloto (2011)
- Release Year
- 2011
Lore & Background
The album tells the story of a war against sound and colour on the planet Silencia, overtaken by a totalitarian government led by Major Minus. The protagonist Mylo Xyloto, a 'silencer', encounters the sparker Fly and discovers his own sparker abilities and affiliation with the Car Kids. Drummer Will Champion noted the story involves characters 'falling in love and trying to escape together', with a theme of 'love conquering all'. In interviews the band said the album follows a love story between Mylo and Xyloto as separate characters, though in the comics Mylo Xyloto is the main protagonist and Fly is the sparker girl.
In Their Own Story
In a quiet moment within the fan-made archives, a search for 'Up in Flames' returns only silence. The digital shelves hold nothing but the familiar glow of 'A Sky Full of Stars' and the steady rhythm of 'Viva la Vida,' reminding seekers that some titles belong to imagination rather than reality.
Reader's Guide
The album received generally positive reviews, praised for its uplifting tone and new electronic sound, though some found it bombastic and overproduced. 'Paradise' and 'Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall' received three nominations at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards in 2012, while the album and 'Charlie Brown' received two further nods the following year. Internationally, Mylo Xyloto charted at number one in 34 countries. In the UK it became Coldplay's fifth album to debut at number one, selling 208,343 units in its first week and setting a one-week digital sales record with 83,000 copies. It broke an iTunes record for digital downloads by selling over 500,000 digital copies in a week. It became Coldplay's third album to debut at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 447,411 units in its first week. It was the UK's best-selling rock album of 2011, moving over 908,000 copies, and has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide.
Did You Know?
- The album's story involves a war against sound and colour on the planet Silencia.
- The band worked closely with producer Brian Eno following their collaboration on Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.
- The album's artwork was inspired by graffiti and created with British street artist Paris.
- Recording took place at The Bakery and a new studio called The Beehive in North London.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Coldplay album features Up in Flames?
This track serves as the closing number on their 2014 studio record, Ghost Stories.
Is Up in Flames an official release by the band?
Yes, it holds official status within their discography despite some confusion among listeners.
What themes are explored in the lyrics of Up in Flames?
The song encapsulates deep emotional heartbreak while simultaneously pointing toward eventual redemption.
Where does Up in Flames sit on the Ghost Stories tracklist?
It is positioned as the tenth and final song on the standard edition of the album.
Why is Up in Flames considered important by fans?
Its role as an emotional finale makes it a pivotal piece alongside other iconic hits from that era.
Elsewhere in the Coldplay universe
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