`"Music of the Spheres" (subtitled Vol. I: From Earth with Love) is the ninth studio album by British rock band Coldplay, released on October 15, 2021, by Parlophone in the UK and Atlantic Records in the US. Produced by Max Martin, the album features guest appearances from Selena Gomez, We Are King, Jacob Collier, and BTS, as well as contributions from electronic producer Jon Hopkins.
The album serves as Coldplay's second concept album, following Mylo Xyloto (2011). It delves into genres such as pop, pop rock, space rock, and ambient music, set in a fictional planetary system called The Spheres, which includes nine planets, three natural satellites, a star, and a nebula, with each corresponding to a track on the record. Lead singer Chris Martin noted that its themes were inspired by both Mylo Xyloto and the Star Wars franchise, prompting the band to consider what other artists might be like across the universe.
In anticipation of the album, Coldplay released "Higher Power" and "My Universe" as singles, with the latter debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Coldplay as the first British group to achieve this. "Let Somebody Go" followed as the third single in February 2022, while promotional singles included "Coloratura," "People of the Pride," and "Biutyful."
The album received mixed reviews, with some critics criticizing its pop sensibilities. However, "Coloratura" was praised for its unconventional structure. Music of the Spheres was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. It debuted at the top of the UK Albums Chart, becoming the first album since Ed Sheeran's No.6 Collaborations Project to sell over 100,000 units in its first week. Coldplay supported the album with the Music of the Spheres World Tour and released a concert film, with the second volume of the series, Moon Music, scheduled for 2024.
The idea for a space-themed album had been in the works since 2010, when Chris Martin proposed creating "a solar system." This concept eventually influenced the Mylo Xyloto universe and hinted at Music of the Spheres in promotional materials for their 2019 album Everyday Life.
Bassist Guy Berryman noted that the band aimed to create Music of the Spheres with live performances in mind, resulting in an album designed to energize audiences. Martin described Max Martin's involvement as pivotal, with the producer helping shape the creative process. The band found his approach refreshing, avoiding unnecessary layers in their sound.
Music of the Spheres has been characterized by a variety of genres, including pop, synth-pop, and ambient. The fictional planetary system in the album consists of nine celestial bodies, each represented by a track. The thematic exploration focuses on the universality of human experiences through the lens of a cosmic narrative. The album promotes a message of unity, encouraging listeners to reflect on what connects rather than divides humanity.
The artwork for the album, depicting the planetary system, was created by Pilar Zeta, who also contributed to the visuals for Coldplay's previous albums. The album explores themes of existence and connection, framed within a creative universe inspired by earlier projects like Mylo Xyloto.
