X&Y
by Coldplay
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jun 7, 2005
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 711 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 574 out of 711
  2. Mixed: 75 out of 711
  3. Negative: 62 out of 711

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  1. alecvl08
    Dec 19, 2014
    6
    This album definitely does not have the quality of the previous two Coldplay albums. The songs aren't horrible, but there are a few that are too loud for too long or get lost in themselves. The lyrics don't connect at all, and the album has a hard time figuring itself out. Best track is Square One.
  2. EddieHokie
    Nov 27, 2019
    4
    Coldplay does U2 arena rock! The worst album in their catalogue and it isn’t really close. Tons of filler here and everything to everyone type of lyrics (What If). Speed of Sound is a rehash of what’s been done before. Talk is the worst single they have released. Hardest Part is the only good song on the back half of the record. It’s saving grace is arguably their best song in Fix YouColdplay does U2 arena rock! The worst album in their catalogue and it isn’t really close. Tons of filler here and everything to everyone type of lyrics (What If). Speed of Sound is a rehash of what’s been done before. Talk is the worst single they have released. Hardest Part is the only good song on the back half of the record. It’s saving grace is arguably their best song in Fix You (gives me chills almost every time it kicks into gear) and White Shadows with some synthy funk feel. This is the only Coldplay album I would recommend passing on… Expand
  3. jos95
    Sep 8, 2011
    5
    I loved Rush of Blood, but this is easily Coldplay's weakest album. Most of the songs are pretty average with a few standouts (Fix You, White Shadows, Talk) I'd give it credit for being less piano based than Rush of Blood, but the lyrics are mainly empty. Coldplay are still a talented group but this isn't their greatest work.
  4. manurock
    Aug 6, 2011
    5
    A weaker album. It seems that they weren't as inspired as in their two previous; they had ran out of ideas (this is proved later in the change of sound of Viva la Vida). Still, a few songs like "fix you" or "speed of sound" make this album good enough to listen for Coldplay fans (by no means should a non-coldplay fan start with this album)
  5. shakersonic
    Sep 7, 2012
    6
    Probably the worst Coldplay Album. When I talk of solid album, I'm talking about a set of tracks that are listenable from beggining to end. Sadly, X&Y feels so over-produced, but more importantly several songs feel like they lack a structure. I don't know If I make sense, but what I mean is that the middle-way between the choruses feel rushed. Nevertheless it still got songs like Fix You or Talk.
  6. babaganush96
    Oct 8, 2010
    6
    While I believe X and Y is marginally a stronger album than A Rush of Blood to the Head, it's still not the smashing album I had hoped for. There are some standout tracks, but some seem either too similar to another, or are just thee to fill the album.
  7. aristotle
    Jun 7, 2005
    5
    meh. More of the same. Avoid.
  8. matta
    Jun 6, 2005
    6
    It's disappointing to see Coldplay take such a huge step back. Parachutes was a solid album with some great singles(8) but then came A Rush Of Blood To The Head which was near perfect and established Coldplay as a band that not only appeals to indie and british rock lovers, but to teenage girls and middle-aged businessmen as well. Now they make us wait three years and the best that It's disappointing to see Coldplay take such a huge step back. Parachutes was a solid album with some great singles(8) but then came A Rush Of Blood To The Head which was near perfect and established Coldplay as a band that not only appeals to indie and british rock lovers, but to teenage girls and middle-aged businessmen as well. Now they make us wait three years and the best that they can come up with is X&Y, a cheesy, cliche-ridden album that features at least seven tracks that are blatantly and shamelessly either ripping off or trying to aspire to the same style of U2 (Lord knows why Coldplay would want to try and copy them). Any distinctiveness and originality that Coldplay once had is almost completely lost. The only bright spots are Fix You, which is an insant classic and if Colplay is smart they will make it their second single, Talk, and the first single Speed of Sound. It's sad being a Coldplay fan for so long (ever since I heard an EP with Bigger, Stronger on it five years ago) only to have them release such a mundane third, and possibly final album.… Expand
  9. RyanO
    Jun 10, 2005
    5
    I love Coldplay, a true old-school fan, I'm proud to say, seen them several times in concert and last month at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Anyways, this album is a step backward from any standpoint other than commercial. Chris' lyrics are really trite and cliche on this record. Such as "the next step you take, could be your biggest mistake, but thats the risk you take". I love Coldplay, a true old-school fan, I'm proud to say, seen them several times in concert and last month at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Anyways, this album is a step backward from any standpoint other than commercial. Chris' lyrics are really trite and cliche on this record. Such as "the next step you take, could be your biggest mistake, but thats the risk you take". Another "tears stream down your face". I've heard this kind of stuff in boy band songs for gosh's sake. My buddy said it best, this record has no guts, no balls. It's a big let down from wonderful songs like God Put a Smile, Clocks, and In my Place. There gonna have a masterpiece of an album, but this certainly isn't it.… Expand
  10. vande
    Jun 15, 2005
    4
    so, with this album, Coldplay did not use its chance to make its large audiance listen to something challengig. U2 did it, Pink Floyd did it, Raidohead did it, PJH did it in their careers, many names... why did these people take risks at least in one period of their lives ? were they crazy ? no... they just had the vision for music. and it got inspirational for many other names. but this so, with this album, Coldplay did not use its chance to make its large audiance listen to something challengig. U2 did it, Pink Floyd did it, Raidohead did it, PJH did it in their careers, many names... why did these people take risks at least in one period of their lives ? were they crazy ? no... they just had the vision for music. and it got inspirational for many other names. but this album showed that Coldplay do not have the courage for their music journey so it will be a nice journey maybe but not interesting. sorrunding in the same places. . and what is important for Coldplay ? the sales are guaranteed, the awards maybe guaranteed, the popularity is guaranteed. so what's left for the rest, what about music evolution ? Just do not ask. I hope other bands do not take it as example, then they do something interesting.… Expand
  11. damlak
    Jun 17, 2005
    5
    typical coldplay. not original and not different. boring
  12. BradP
    Jun 18, 2005
    6
    this album was so influnced by the record company it's not funny! Coldplay fans will pick and choose their song and take what they want. Although it still has a strong sinigle, a sloppy but loveable piano ballad and good starting (i.e. Polik) which all coldplay albums have had. It good but not that good and even more mainsteam then before. It so safe at times it's offesive. Next this album was so influnced by the record company it's not funny! Coldplay fans will pick and choose their song and take what they want. Although it still has a strong sinigle, a sloppy but loveable piano ballad and good starting (i.e. Polik) which all coldplay albums have had. It good but not that good and even more mainsteam then before. It so safe at times it's offesive. Next ablum be better but this album is great for the first few times ut will then is useless… Expand
  13. JenniferM
    Jun 20, 2005
    5
    Well, I guess the sales numbers prove that suspense and over-hype really do work. I don't know what Coldplay were thinking. The ballads on this album are sappy and the hard(er) songs never really rock. Very disappointing as I adored AROBTTH. However, the biggest weakness is the lyrics. Heart-felt is fine, but don't club us over the head with it. We get it! -- you love your wife Well, I guess the sales numbers prove that suspense and over-hype really do work. I don't know what Coldplay were thinking. The ballads on this album are sappy and the hard(er) songs never really rock. Very disappointing as I adored AROBTTH. However, the biggest weakness is the lyrics. Heart-felt is fine, but don't club us over the head with it. We get it! -- you love your wife and she's been through a hard time It will be very interesting to see whether Coldplay can get back what they've obviously lost on this one.… Expand
  14. JimH
    Jun 20, 2005
    4
    "What If" and "Talk" are two tracks on this CD that actually stand up and say for the band "See? We CAN be good but choose to be sleepy and boring instead! Take that!" If this CD only had those two songs on it, I'd give it a 10. Too bad.
  15. CosmoP
    Jun 6, 2005
    5
    Good but not great. "Low" and "Talk" are the tracks that stand out as opposed to the lame sappy nonsense of "Fix You " or " What If?". But really this is no different that the last two albums. Neither were masterpieces by any stretch. This is music for your mother.
  16. dand
    Jun 6, 2005
    6
    They smothered the whole record in three kinds of cheese: 80s Yanni synths, cliches-as-lyrics pretending to mean something, and fake U2 guitar. Still, it sounds good, and has a lot of beautiful tunes. A big step back artistically. Probably a big step forward commercially.
  17. Gnarles
    Jun 7, 2005
    5
    The anticipation factor makes X&Y initially engaging, but it proves to be a yawner fairly quickly. Nothing here is even remotely as memorable as their biggest singles, and as for "Speed Of Sound", they should have just called it "Clocks II", so cynically similar are the two hits. This album is not bad, but nor is it good. In fact, it's very averageness be may the most disappointing The anticipation factor makes X&Y initially engaging, but it proves to be a yawner fairly quickly. Nothing here is even remotely as memorable as their biggest singles, and as for "Speed Of Sound", they should have just called it "Clocks II", so cynically similar are the two hits. This album is not bad, but nor is it good. In fact, it's very averageness be may the most disappointing thing about it. A classic case of a band getting too big too fast and being afraid to rock the boat. Alas.… Expand
  18. ShaneH
    Jun 8, 2005
    5
    Very bland. Not nearly as good as last 2 albulms. Very dissapointing to have to wait this long for this.
  19. BretR
    Jun 8, 2005
    5
    The music is well-produced and polished to a shine, but it's only occasionally interesting. Thought-provoking lyrics could have helped, but unfortunately the album falls flat on this count as well. They're obviously going for deep and universal, but too often they end up at vague and uninspired. Overall: pleasantly forgettable.
  20. MarcB
    Jun 8, 2005
    5
    That album is what i feared of that album... I hope They'll be back on the rails, because this one misses the target. Chris Martin should think about changing his lyrics methods and fast! The same pattern again and again. The songs don't have their "adrenaline rush" which is what i like of coldplay.If i'm insomniac this is my new sleeping pill for sure!
  21. Adam
    Jun 9, 2005
    5
    Don't thank Eno! He's an innocent and not involved in those synth pads.
  22. NicM
    Aug 26, 2005
    4
    Not nearly as good as the previous albums - makes you understand why non-fans feel Coldplay is contrived and tepid. Still a playable record, but very forgettable as well.
  23. MarioC
    Oct 11, 2005
    6
    A little deception...
  24. BlakeT
    Dec 24, 2005
    6
    I'm new to Coldplay. I go the CD and did enjoy it. I can see what others mean when they say uninspired. It isn't brilliant or that creative. But, some of the songs have merit and it is worth a listen. I wonder if the band is experiencing the Yoko Ono effect after the birth of their baby Orange.
  25. BoydM
    Jun 10, 2005
    5
    Thjs album was below average. Not just for them, for anybody. I felt that i was listening to the same song over and over and over. Thier other albums were both more varied and more original. To think, this album almost broke up the band. I can see why, it sucks.
  26. hipsterj
    Jun 10, 2005
    5
    What pleasant melodies, which is to say artless and overcooked. Reminds one of corporations that test product messages with random focus groups until they are precise and unoffensive, and then mix them together and call it a
  27. Michele
    Jun 11, 2005
    4
    This set of tracks is one very big disappointment collectively. Assuming most people responded so well to "A Rush of Blood to The Head" for its range and raw energy, "X&Y" clearly lacks anything like that, and there is little on it that can remotely equate this band with what they were all about five years ago: musicians delivering a sound and voice of their own, not some corporate This set of tracks is one very big disappointment collectively. Assuming most people responded so well to "A Rush of Blood to The Head" for its range and raw energy, "X&Y" clearly lacks anything like that, and there is little on it that can remotely equate this band with what they were all about five years ago: musicians delivering a sound and voice of their own, not some corporate formulaic meant to push CDs sales and save the boardroom and investors at EMI from disaster. Too repetitive, the lyrics are embarrassingly juvenile - about as energetic as valium. And btw: did anybody notice the missing title for the 13th track?… Expand
  28. K
    Jun 14, 2005
    4
    This album is just so boring and is impossible to get into. It never gets going.
  29. jboy
    Jun 14, 2005
    4
    I've listened to Coldplay since before they hit the big times here in the states and I must say this is the weakest CD they've put out. What happened to the warmth they had in "Parachute" or the edge they displayed in "Rush of Blood to The Head". They threw all that away for more sales margins as the went generic just to please more people.
  30. IanC
    Jun 16, 2005
    4
    I kept fast-forwarding through track after track; the songs don't take off, and each seems more bland than the next. Two listens is all the time I can waste with this.
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Discussed Album of 2005
13
#13 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. Blender
    100
    [Coldplay] have made their masterpiece. [Jun 2005, p.112]
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    Confident, bold, ambitious, bunged with singles and impossible to contain, ‘X&Y’ doesn’t reinvent the wheel but it does reinforce Coldplay as the band of their time.
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  3. The Guardian
    60
    They have chosen to opt for the standard formula: it's elegiac, mid-tempo, stadium-friendly ballads all the way.
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See all critic reviews »