Music of the Spheres

Lore & Background

Music of the Spheres is the band's second concept album after 2011's Mylo Xyloto. The album explores pop, pop rock, space rock, space music and ambient influences. It is set in a fictional planetary system called The Spheres, which contains eight planets, a star and a nebula, with some tracks representing other celestial bodies. According to lead singer Chris Martin, its concept and themes were not only based on Mylo Xyloto, but also inspired by the Star Wars film franchise, which made him and the other band members wonder what other artists could be like across the universe, while also using the planets as a canvas to explore human experience.

Reader's Guide

In anticipation for the album, Coldplay released 'Higher Power' and 'My Universe' as singles. 'My Universe' debuted at number one in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making Coldplay the first British group in history to achieve the feat. 'Let Somebody Go' was later released as the third official single on 7 February 2022. 'Coloratura', 'People of the Pride', 'Biutyful' and a live version of 'Humankind' were served as promotional singles.

Music of the Spheres received mixed reviews from critics, many of whom criticised the album's overtly pop sensibilities and style. The album's closing song, 'Coloratura', however, was acclaimed for its lengthy, unconventional structure and production. The album was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, marking the band's third nomination in both categories. It became the first album of the 2020s to debut atop the UK Albums Chart with more than 100,000 units.

To support the record, Coldplay embarked on the Music of the Spheres World Tour and released an accompanying concert film. It was the first volume of the Music of the Spheres series, the second being Moon Music (2024).

Did You Know?

• The idea for a space-themed record had been envisioned by the band since 2010, when lead vocalist Chris Martin proposed a project of building 'a solar system'.
• The artwork featuring the planetary system was created by Pilar Zeta, who had worked on Coldplay's previous two albums Everyday Life and A Head Full of Dreams.