A Head Full of Dreams
by Coldplay
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Dec 4, 2015
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 461 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 275 out of 461
  2. Mixed: 121 out of 461
  3. Negative: 65 out of 461
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  1. Coroinha
    Apr 5, 2016
    6
    O sétimo albúm de estúdio da banda britânica Coldplay, intitulado de “A head full os dreams”, se dá como um processo experimental de inovação um tanto quanto equivocado. A sonoridade apresentada durante a transição das 11 faixas é relativamente satisfatória e por si só não acaba fugindo da proposta inicial do disco, porém quando os vocais alternadamente chulos de Chris MartinO sétimo albúm de estúdio da banda britânica Coldplay, intitulado de “A head full os dreams”, se dá como um processo experimental de inovação um tanto quanto equivocado. A sonoridade apresentada durante a transição das 11 faixas é relativamente satisfatória e por si só não acaba fugindo da proposta inicial do disco, porém quando os vocais alternadamente chulos de Chris Martin são subitamente somados a ritmos românticos e genéricos, os resultados são severamente catastróficos. Canções como “Kaleidoscope” e “Colour spectrum” são extremamente desnecessárias e aparentam mais como um complemento para preencher as lacunas vazias de um CD escasso, mas em contrapartida “Adventure of a lifetime” e “Army of one” se destacam como o ponto positivo do disco ao exibirem melodias vibrantes com um toque morno de êxtase. Como um albúm mediano, “A head full of dreams” pode agradar aqueles mais íntimos da banda ou alguém que esteja a fim de buscar algo diversificado e sem compromisso, mas para outros pode simplesmente soar como uma cabeça cheia de inúmeros sonhos que nunca se realizarão. (C+)… Expand
  2. rceberl
    Dec 6, 2015
    5
    After listening to this album in Apple Music the whole weekend, I can say it is not a disappointment, it´s catchy and fun... Not even close, thou, to their best work. But, after a few listenings, it grows on you. It really does. It´s Coldplay after all. Very different of what I was expecting, and that´s a good thing. A band that can do whatever they want no matter which genre and stillAfter listening to this album in Apple Music the whole weekend, I can say it is not a disappointment, it´s catchy and fun... Not even close, thou, to their best work. But, after a few listenings, it grows on you. It really does. It´s Coldplay after all. Very different of what I was expecting, and that´s a good thing. A band that can do whatever they want no matter which genre and still sound that good, is something worth listening, always.
    The Good: 5th track Adventure of a Lifetime has that classic riff-Coldplay that everyone loves, just don´t watch the video.. 2nd track Birds really shows what a great album it should´ve been if had a more rock-oriented production.. That was again reflected in 9th track Amazing Day, which reminds X&Y-era ambition and open space for the guitar to breathe a little. We finally get a guitar-solo-kind-of-riff at last track Up&Up, but wait, that´s Noel Gallagher, and it couldn´t be anyone better to do it.
    The bad: 1st track is really nice until it stops for an annoying oh-oh-oh-viva-la-vida-stadium-style chorus.. Why would ANYONE think that´s a good thing for a studio-track, or even worse, an album opener? Gosh.. Minus 2 on this one alone.
    Conclusion: Despite being really good at pop, Coldplay is truly great at rock. That´s a fact. IT WON´T CHANGE.    … Expand
  3. synthesis88
    Dec 6, 2015
    6
    What happened to you, Chris Martin? I have been an avid fan and defender of Coldplay all the way through Viva la Vida. I didn't understand why people loathed Coldplay so much. Parachutes through Viva la Vida is some of my all time favorite music. It got me through some rough times, and made me feel "alive again."

    Now, it seems as though Chris took all of the criticisms to heart,    What happened to you, Chris Martin? I have been an avid fan and defender of Coldplay all the way through Viva la Vida. I didn't understand why people loathed Coldplay so much. Parachutes through Viva la Vida is some of my all time favorite music. It got me through some rough times, and made me feel "alive again."

    Now, it seems as though Chris took all of the criticisms to heart, believed the **** labels people stamped on his music, and changed accordingly. All of the Coldplay hate made the band feel out of place when they weren't, and they compensated by believing and embracing these falsities. I can't defend Coldplay anymore, because they have become exactly what everybody foolishly claimed they were, as if to seek some sense of security by saying "Yeah, so what?! There's nothing wrong with being a superficial pop band! Just watch!"

    Don't get me wrong, there are still great moments on this album. Birds, Adventure of a Lifetime, and the title track prove that Chris and the gang can still write killer melodies. But lyrically, this thing is a mess. I always thought Chris was a decent lyricist, but over the last couple of albums, he has produced some of the corniest nonsense I have ever heard from the band. It's almost hard to believe that this was the group that produced the legendary Rush of Blood to the Head. What was once a worldly and conscientious musical group is now just another mainstream pop giant with flashy advertising. Want proof? Watch the first 30 seconds of Adventure of a Lifetime's music video. They say it's about the music, but blatant product placement like that says otherwise...

    I don't know what happened to masterminds behind "Clocks", "Don't Panic", "Viva la Vida", and "The Scientist", but something has gone astray, and I can only blame it on the ridiculous and unjustified hatred thrown at the band for so many years. They finally let it get to their head.

    Coldplay is having an identity crisis.

    Still above average. 6/10.    … Expand
  4. ojeda
    Dec 7, 2015
    6
    Definitely a disappointment, and my least favourite Coldplay album. It tries to follow the colorful imagery of Mylo Xyloto, but at least the former tried to conceive a good background story, while A Head Full of Dreams feels cheap and rushed. Only a few songs such as "Amazing Day" or "Adventure of a Lifetime" hold an essence of the band and expresses it in an effective way. "Hymn for theDefinitely a disappointment, and my least favourite Coldplay album. It tries to follow the colorful imagery of Mylo Xyloto, but at least the former tried to conceive a good background story, while A Head Full of Dreams feels cheap and rushed. Only a few songs such as "Amazing Day" or "Adventure of a Lifetime" hold an essence of the band and expresses it in an effective way. "Hymn for the Weekend" stands as the worst, most manufactured song on the record and the fact Beyoncé appears on it doesn't make it any better. While the whole thing takes a few footsteps forward with the some instances of disco and rock, it falls more into the category of emotionless pop. If this is truly their last album, it will be a letdown to leave in such a decaying state, honestly.… Expand
  5. agibbons_96
    Dec 11, 2015
    5
    Upon a first listen of the lead single, “Adventure of a Lifetime”, one could be easily think Coldplay have gone down the psychedelic pop route, but it happens not to be the case (well, not completely). Their seventh (and potentially last) album “A Head Full of Dreams” is the poppiest album they've ever made, adding more colourful and textured sounds to an already catchy, pop rock sound.Upon a first listen of the lead single, “Adventure of a Lifetime”, one could be easily think Coldplay have gone down the psychedelic pop route, but it happens not to be the case (well, not completely). Their seventh (and potentially last) album “A Head Full of Dreams” is the poppiest album they've ever made, adding more colourful and textured sounds to an already catchy, pop rock sound. Add an all-star cast which includes Beyoncé, former Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher and US President Barack Obama, and you should get something of great blissful beauty, right? Well, yes and no, there are moments here that are just wonders to behold, with the euphoric and blissful “Adventure of a Lifetime” (arguably their best song since “Viva la Vida”, if not, “Fix You”) and the Tove Lo featured “Fun” among the best of them. However, an album is only as good as the sum of its parts and the quality of the songs, and on a whole, it falters... quite often it has to be said (no doubt in part to the fact that their last album, “Ghost Stories” was released last year, the shortest gap between Coldplay albums). “Kaleidoscope” and the hidden track on “Army of One”, “X Marks the Spot” sound like they add nothing to the album, and are complete filler. Chris Martin's lyricism is amongst the blandest he's ever written, and the production is far too polished in many places. However, the production on “Amazing Day” and suits the song very well, and is the closest to any of the old incarnations of Coldplay we get on this album. “Adventure of a Lifetime” might have led to people thinking this could be the best Coldplay record in a decade. Unfortunately, it could go down as the worst of their entire career. If they do call it quits at the end of their upcoming tour, then it'll feel like they've selled themselves short, and appear to be going out on a muted whimper. Overall, disappointing.

    Album Highlights: “Hymn for the Weekend”, “Adventure of a Lifetime”, “Fun” and “Amazing Day”.    … Expand
  6. proterospongia
    Dec 5, 2015
    6
    Coldplay is a good band. And because we know it (or at least, we pretend to know it), 'A Head Full Of Dreams' leaves us with the feeling that Coldplay could've done so much better. The album has truly good moments (like the title track, the Beyoncé collaboration 'Hymn For The Weekend' and the first single, 'Adventure of a Lifetime'). But those songs are just islands isolated in a sea ofColdplay is a good band. And because we know it (or at least, we pretend to know it), 'A Head Full Of Dreams' leaves us with the feeling that Coldplay could've done so much better. The album has truly good moments (like the title track, the Beyoncé collaboration 'Hymn For The Weekend' and the first single, 'Adventure of a Lifetime'). But those songs are just islands isolated in a sea of tiring pop ballads, repetitive sounds and weak lyrics. Even the army of excellent musicians (and President Obama) in the record can't save 'A Head Full Of Dreams' from the fate of Ghost Stories: this album has no legacy of its own.… Expand
  7. RobertoElDiablo
    Dec 4, 2015
    6
    After hearing the first single I thought that this album would be like a second Mylo Xyloto. And this is kind of true. Except "A head full of dreams", and "Everglow", that are really good songs, the rest of the album is a catchy, colorful pot-pourrit of common pop songs. I will listen to it, because it is still quite good, but like I said, it is common. Any correct pop group could do this,After hearing the first single I thought that this album would be like a second Mylo Xyloto. And this is kind of true. Except "A head full of dreams", and "Everglow", that are really good songs, the rest of the album is a catchy, colorful pot-pourrit of common pop songs. I will listen to it, because it is still quite good, but like I said, it is common. Any correct pop group could do this, and if it wasn't for the voice of Chris Martin, this album could be anyone's. I find it disappointing because I know the can compose amazing songs, and I exept something different from them.… Expand
  8. TheReviewGuyx
    Dec 4, 2015
    6
    This album is what I would call 'middle-of-the-road'. It's not the Coldplay die-hard fans loved from the very beginning; neither is it the Coldplay that many more grew to love as they become progressively more mainstream. If this is their final album as reports suggest, I think it would be very sad. This album is a low-point of their career. I, like many other long time fans, was hopingThis album is what I would call 'middle-of-the-road'. It's not the Coldplay die-hard fans loved from the very beginning; neither is it the Coldplay that many more grew to love as they become progressively more mainstream. If this is their final album as reports suggest, I think it would be very sad. This album is a low-point of their career. I, like many other long time fans, was hoping that they would go back to their more rock sounding roots. Instead, what we have here is a bunch of indistinguishable electronic sounding sounds with little to no substance.

    Here's hoping this isn't their last album and they come back better than ever. This isn't cutting it I'm afraid.    … Expand
  9. lydyanah
    Dec 10, 2015
    4
    Unfortunately, Coldplay has not done more songs as they did in earlier works. A Head Full of Dreams, along with the album "Ghost Stories" are big demonstrations of this.
  10. lUcOzAdExx
    Jun 23, 2016
    5
    like always, they got hits into the record, "Adventure Of a Lifetime" and "Hymn For The Weekend" are good songs, but the rest of the album, it's definitely not the same as their previous albums, this sound more like a pop record than a rock record.
  11. chidime
    Dec 5, 2015
    4
    Coldplay disappoints again. I won't say too much except that I have been disappointed massively by Coldplay's 2 latest album releases. The singles aren't good (Adventure of a Lifetime is terrible) and the album is honestly not strong enough. I love Coldplay mainly because of the feeling they evoke from me with their music but this is really lacking any concrete emotion or substance. InColdplay disappoints again. I won't say too much except that I have been disappointed massively by Coldplay's 2 latest album releases. The singles aren't good (Adventure of a Lifetime is terrible) and the album is honestly not strong enough. I love Coldplay mainly because of the feeling they evoke from me with their music but this is really lacking any concrete emotion or substance. In fact, I have largely forgotten the album less than 30 minutes after listening. Only kinda good song here is 'Hymn for the Weekend'. 4/10. Try again Coldplay.… Expand
  12. quotes
    Dec 7, 2015
    6
    I was excited for this album in two ways: sad, because it is the last Coldplay’s album and happy, because I was thinking that it could be the greatest album in their career. “A Head Full of Dreams” is more upbeat than ‘Ghost Stories’, but the new record is not so subtle than the last one. The band used a lot of instruments, elements from other music genres, like pop, jazz and rock. SynthI was excited for this album in two ways: sad, because it is the last Coldplay’s album and happy, because I was thinking that it could be the greatest album in their career. “A Head Full of Dreams” is more upbeat than ‘Ghost Stories’, but the new record is not so subtle than the last one. The band used a lot of instruments, elements from other music genres, like pop, jazz and rock. Synth rhythms and electronic beats were used as well, and Martin’s vocals connect pretty well to them.
    But, there are a lot of problems that we weren’t expecting. There is no emotion. There is no deep feelings from the band. The record is the last one and they have not put their hearts, shaken their heads and made it the best album ever. The lyrics show that; they are too simple for the songs and the essence get lost sometimes during you listen the album.
    I am very disappointed with it, mainly because it is the Coldplay’s final record and there is no sense of “goodbye” in it. Some songs make it regular or good and maybe they can make us remind the best things about the band.

    Listen to: Birds, Hymn for the Weekend, Up&Up and Adventure of a Lifetime.    … Expand
  13. greekmatthew
    Apr 11, 2017
    5
    Coldplay failed to build upon the lackluster Ghost Stories and delivers an album with no standout songs. While the band tries to steer themselves into a pop direction, Mylo Xyloto remains their best album to serve as a model of just that. A Head Full of Dreams has brief moments of brilliance, but overall does not demonstrate the best of Coldplay's ability.
  14. hwedel
    Dec 4, 2015
    5
    Personally, this album makes me appreciate other Coldplay albums much more than ever. This new one sees Coldplay having a foot in mainstream-pop more than ever before, but not necessarily for the better. For years Coldplay have helped defined the mainstream pop-rock genre, but now they find themselves emulating the genre rather than innovating it. Traces of a much more interesting albumPersonally, this album makes me appreciate other Coldplay albums much more than ever. This new one sees Coldplay having a foot in mainstream-pop more than ever before, but not necessarily for the better. For years Coldplay have helped defined the mainstream pop-rock genre, but now they find themselves emulating the genre rather than innovating it. Traces of a much more interesting album can be heard in almost every song, but the band simply chooses to stick to convention in most places rather than brandishing the type of creativity seen in previous records. Certain moments are good (see: A Head Full of Dreams, Adventure of a Lifetime, Hymn for the Weekend), and there aren't any necessarily bad songs on the album, but it lacks a certain heart previous albums have had.… Expand
  15. YT_Guyyy
    Dec 11, 2016
    6
    Coldplay is, and always has been, painfully dull. They DO make some good stuff, certain songs are good, Paradise, for one is OK, but this is just bad. Most of this album just kinda sounds like a **** really sellout Moon Shaped Pool.
  16. WXYZ
    Dec 5, 2015
    5
    First off, I thought Mylo Xyloto was their worst album, but this is a new low. Everglow, Hymn For The Weekend, A Head Full of Dreams are really good songs. But the rest is either poor or mediocre. Coldplay have been losing ideas after Viva La Vida, and album unfortunately signifies that they don't know what to do anymore. Where's the emotion? Where's the depth? Where are the ideas? TheFirst off, I thought Mylo Xyloto was their worst album, but this is a new low. Everglow, Hymn For The Weekend, A Head Full of Dreams are really good songs. But the rest is either poor or mediocre. Coldplay have been losing ideas after Viva La Vida, and album unfortunately signifies that they don't know what to do anymore. Where's the emotion? Where's the depth? Where are the ideas? The answer: They're, sadly, gone. Coldplay used to be a ROCK band, but now they decided to go full pop and electronic on this one. If this is their last album, then they really went out with a bang.

    P.S. Remember when Damon Albarn said Adele's new album is very "middle of the road"? This is another example.    … Expand
  17. Mesmerize
    Aug 9, 2016
    6
    6.0
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  18. JoeWilliams
    Apr 19, 2017
    5
    Coldplay's latest album shows some color and fun to it but lacks the magic and excitement which ended up bland and boring. Hymn for the weekend, Up&Up and Adventures of a Lifetime shows strenghth to the album but never quite live up to it. Lyrics are messy,and unfocused of what it is, Coldplay's albums from Parachutes were great up until Viva La Vida, After that their songs getsColdplay's latest album shows some color and fun to it but lacks the magic and excitement which ended up bland and boring. Hymn for the weekend, Up&Up and Adventures of a Lifetime shows strenghth to the album but never quite live up to it. Lyrics are messy,and unfocused of what it is, Coldplay's albums from Parachutes were great up until Viva La Vida, After that their songs gets uninspired and just really a mess of unmeaningful lyrics. A Head Full Of Drams shows the band at its worst and the production felt cheap and rush with 3 songs which are atleast okay/average at best, This shows concern of the of future of the band, Hoping for Mr. Martin and his gang for a comeback. BTW their live performances are kinda good.… Expand
  19. EddieHokie
    Nov 24, 2019
    5
    Coldplay goes party pop with syrupy, gooey, wet production everywhere. Looks like singer Chris Martin has gotten over his sadness of a failed marriage and is ready to party! Unfortunately, it’s hardly endearing to listen to an extremely rich and successful band that is aging, sing about parties and strive for mainstream hits so obviously. Everglow, Adventures of a Lifetime, and Fun areColdplay goes party pop with syrupy, gooey, wet production everywhere. Looks like singer Chris Martin has gotten over his sadness of a failed marriage and is ready to party! Unfortunately, it’s hardly endearing to listen to an extremely rich and successful band that is aging, sing about parties and strive for mainstream hits so obviously. Everglow, Adventures of a Lifetime, and Fun are highlights. But much of this comes off corny with attempts at rapping and flat attempts at shaping main stream culture with phrases like “hymn for the weekend”. It’s a tad awkward to see Coldplay go from genre definers to genre band wagon jumpers with this ardent effort at mainstream success and production. The masses ended up eating this album up, but Martin just doesn’t have a lot to say here.… Expand
  20. Colin_
    Feb 26, 2017
    6
    It's fun at first, but then after a while you realize it's just another pop piece thrown into the mix of endless albums that want people to like them just because they sound hip. Coldplay is milking money now, and has lost its original flare that everyone grew to love with its first three LPs. Everglow is about the only song I'd recommend adding to any playlist, it's about the closestIt's fun at first, but then after a while you realize it's just another pop piece thrown into the mix of endless albums that want people to like them just because they sound hip. Coldplay is milking money now, and has lost its original flare that everyone grew to love with its first three LPs. Everglow is about the only song I'd recommend adding to any playlist, it's about the closest you'll get to coldplay in this coldplay album.… Expand
  21. Decim
    May 24, 2017
    5
    In my opinion this is not a great album, I really got bored when I listened to this album for the first time, there are some good songs such as Everglow or Up&Up, but I the rest of the songs disappointed me.
  22. cyanide88
    Nov 26, 2019
    5
    Album with great colour. Solos are catchy with coldplay's lyrics and melodies. But too over-produced.
  23. Macrofficial
    Apr 21, 2020
    6
    Coldplay's 7th Album, I have too say I'm quite disappointed with this one...But it has it's high points! 'A Head Full Of Dreams' Is a decent way to start the album, It's a nice upbeat tune. 'Birds' Is quite a good song, Especially the beautiful and upbeat part at the end. 'Hymn For The Weekend' is a type of song where you just want to scream the lyrics, which there aren't many songs onColdplay's 7th Album, I have too say I'm quite disappointed with this one...But it has it's high points! 'A Head Full Of Dreams' Is a decent way to start the album, It's a nice upbeat tune. 'Birds' Is quite a good song, Especially the beautiful and upbeat part at the end. 'Hymn For The Weekend' is a type of song where you just want to scream the lyrics, which there aren't many songs on this album that make you want to do that. 'Everglow' is a decent track, though I thought the single version was 10X better, I feel like the added instrumentals took away from the personal feeling that the song originally had, other than that it's still pretty good. 'Adventure of a Lifetime' Is very mediocre, it can get boring. 'Fun' was a decent song, the Tove Lo feature did make the song decent. 'Kaleidoscope' is a pretty beautiful tune that leads on into 'Army Of One' which is just a **** song...The first part where chris' voice is used as an instrumental is just straight up annoying, and the whole song overall is just extremely boring and repetitive..probably the worst track on the album. 'Amazing Day' is pretty good. 'Colour Spectrum' is a nice little tune that sums up all the sounds used in the album and it leads into 'Up&Up' which is a very boring song to end off the album. So overall half of the songs are just mediocre or bad, with some good ones. But the ones that are good aren't even THAT good. This might be my least favourite coldplay album out of all the coldplay album before A Head Full Of Dreams..The Top 3 Songs of the ones that a good on this album would have too be 'Birds', 'Hymn For The Weeknd' , and 'Amazing Day'.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Most Discussed Album of 2015
14
#14 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 27
  3. Negative: 2 out of 27
  1. DIY Magazine
    Dec 16, 2015
    40
    Instead of its wide-eyed optimism rubbing off onto others, this album has the effect of canned laughter bouncing off the walls. It’s a hundred nutritional yoghurts being mushed into bland liquid nothingness.
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  2. Drowned In Sound
    Dec 14, 2015
    30
    The head feels weighed down with unresolved torment, the smile forced and awkward, the colours garish and messily-applied.
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  3. Clash Music
    Dec 11, 2015
    40
    It’s clear that Coldplay retain their thirst, their passion for making music--it’s merely a shame that it results in such polite noises.
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