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Ghost Stories
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Ghost Stories Image
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 452 Ratings

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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    May 19, 2014
    85
    Some will deplore the record for its relative lack of pop appeal, but for a massively popular band that has so often been derailed by its own lofty ambitions, there is a huge pleasure in hearing something that succeeds on such a small, modest, and humanized scale.
  2. Paste Magazine
    May 20, 2014
    75
    Coldplay is always going to be warm, nostalgic, melancholy, pleasant, innocent and good. They’re as much a warm word and an arm around the shoulder now as they were when they first showed up.
  3. No Ripcord
    May 19, 2014
    70
    On Ghost Stories, despite a near derailment, they "fly on," moving in fresh directions while keep the catharsis that gave them their audience in the first place.
  4. The Guardian
    May 15, 2014
    60
    The most striking things here are the tracks that shift furthest away from the standard Coldplay blueprint the lovely, beatless, vocoder-heavy drift of Midnight--based on an old track by electronic auteur Jon Hopkins--and the single Magic, which sounds not unlike the kind of beautifully understated pop song Everything But the Girl might have come up with in their mid-90s dance music phase. The rest is understated and equivocal, pleasant but underwhelming.
  5. Slant Magazine
    May 16, 2014
    60
    Although incumbent on its source material, Ghost Stories avoids wholly rote repetition by porting a modicum of the strangeness and innovation of other artists into its own body, despite Martin's clunky writing.
  6. Consequence
    May 16, 2014
    58
    The balance is off, and some songs suffer from a lack of direction.
  7. PopMatters
    May 19, 2014
    30
    For a record whose lyrics are meant to reflect a deeply personal music journey, the music finds Coldplay at the safest and most rote it has ever been.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 96
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 96
  3. Negative: 10 out of 96
  1. jasharkowalski
    May 30, 2014
    10
    Thank you, Gwyneth, for such a great record Coldplay put out...." A Sky full of Stars" is an absolute hit for 2014 ! This is their bestThank you, Gwyneth, for such a great record Coldplay put out...." A Sky full of Stars" is an absolute hit for 2014 ! This is their best produced record ever, laying almost invisible electronic sounds upon the piano and subtle guitar walls.… Expand
  2. Jai11elas
    Jun 3, 2014
    10
    Great Effort..Confessional and Heartfelt
    coldplay started with the blue room ep and songs like brothers and sisters..now they have created    Great Effort..Confessional and Heartfelt
    coldplay started with the blue room ep and songs like brothers and sisters..now they have created songs like viva la vida and up in flames..surely this album does not contain these marching anthems but it will still give you shivers..still make you like coldplya because above all we should call it "true love" for fans
    Highlight- Magic Midnight Another's Arms and Ink
    Low-O and A sky full of stars
    Buy the deluxe edition..the two new songs are amazing too..    … Expand
  4. BryantL
    May 19, 2014
    10
    I am a greatest fan of Coldplay since Parachutes, and i think this album is so emotional, wonderful and takes you to other dimension.. i haveI am a greatest fan of Coldplay since Parachutes, and i think this album is so emotional, wonderful and takes you to other dimension.. i have to admit that this album is not the best, i believe that A Rush Blood To Head is their best album... But still are a Beautiful album, better than Mylo Xyloto… Expand
  5. LanzJoshua
    Nov 24, 2014
    8
    As a Coldplay an myself I've got to say that this isn't their best album but still is a good compilation of songs you should listen to. FirstAs a Coldplay an myself I've got to say that this isn't their best album but still is a good compilation of songs you should listen to. First of all the inspiration of this album is from the fact that Chris Martin recently separated from Gwyneth Palthrow, making Chris Martin write songs that give feelings like sadness, reassurance and hope. But overall the album is generally an experimental because the album's genre isn't your typical alternative rock but rather an Electronica Pop if I were to say. Making this album in Electronica gives Chris Martin the opportunity to sing in an atmospheric and dynamic manner, given the song "Midnight" in this album which is both melodious and catchy. So bottom line for this review this album is worth listening too over and over again especially for those of you experiencing relationship issues, Coldplay is the band that will reassure you.… Expand
  6. showbizjunkie
    May 23, 2015
    7
    Ghost Stories is an interesting album. Overall, it flows beautifully from beginning to end. But take one of the songs by itself, and it's notGhost Stories is an interesting album. Overall, it flows beautifully from beginning to end. But take one of the songs by itself, and it's not particularly amazing. The general mood and ambience is addictive, though, and it's a welcome change from the fast-paced pop rock of Mylo Xyloto.… Expand
  7. Antreas
    Feb 1, 2015
    6
    It's a descent album but they have to put a terribly strong effort to achieve the heights of their first 2 albums. I loved them so much at theIt's a descent album but they have to put a terribly strong effort to achieve the heights of their first 2 albums. I loved them so much at the beginning ... :)… Expand
  8. aliceinwonderla
    Jul 18, 2015
    0
    It's so bad, it hurts! There's no such thing as "good music" in this. It's too slow, it lacks emotion and power in the lyrics, vocals andIt's so bad, it hurts! There's no such thing as "good music" in this. It's too slow, it lacks emotion and power in the lyrics, vocals and melodies. Don't listen to this, it's bad and totally forgetable.… Expand

See all 96 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2014
35
#35 Most Shared Album of 2014

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