Ghost Stories
by Coldplay
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: May 19, 2014
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 452 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 327 out of 452
  2. Mixed: 83 out of 452
  3. Negative: 42 out of 452
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  1. vancemay77
    Apr 25, 2022
    9
    This record is Coldplay at their most devastatingly heartbreaking. Best listened to after a break-up while staring up at the stars. What makes this album so beautiful is how much hope and joy is intertwined within the deep sadness of the music.

    This album is criminally underrated. In my opinion, it ranks up there with their best work. It also has such an incredible flow, and works front    This record is Coldplay at their most devastatingly heartbreaking. Best listened to after a break-up while staring up at the stars. What makes this album so beautiful is how much hope and joy is intertwined within the deep sadness of the music.

    This album is criminally underrated. In my opinion, it ranks up there with their best work. It also has such an incredible flow, and works front to back. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

    Standout tracks: all of them, listen to it all the way through, but 'True Love' is one of the best Coldplay songs ever written.    … Expand
  2. gustavothehuman
    Sep 30, 2020
    10
    I really enjoy the melancholic atmosphere of this record, it also helped me through a very difficult time in my life. Ghost Stories might not have the cheerful tracks Coldplay got known for during the 2010's but it's a quite interesting addition to their catalog.
  3. Whyhelder
    Sep 24, 2020
    9
    Their best album in 10 years! This was not meant to hit - and still did! Highlights are Magic, Fly On and True Love
  4. Macrofficial
    Apr 20, 2020
    7
    Alright, Let's Talk About Coldplay's 6th Studio Album, and album I have mixed thoughts on. 'Always in My Head' Is a nice way to set the tone of the album, it's a decent song, I'll probably listen to it again. 'Magic' Is an interesting one, I don't really care for the first half of the song, but the second half is pretty good. 'Ink' Is the first really good song on the album, It's a greatAlright, Let's Talk About Coldplay's 6th Studio Album, and album I have mixed thoughts on. 'Always in My Head' Is a nice way to set the tone of the album, it's a decent song, I'll probably listen to it again. 'Magic' Is an interesting one, I don't really care for the first half of the song, but the second half is pretty good. 'Ink' Is the first really good song on the album, It's a great tune that's quite singable. 'True Love' Is a song I really don't care for other than the second half..once again..but most of the song just doesn't sound that great too me. 'Midnight' Is a hauntingly beautiful song, It's like Bon Iver meets Coldplay and it makes just an amazing song on the album. 'Another's Arms' might be my least favourite song on the album..the chime sounding instrument sounds out of place on the album, and the whole song is just meh. 'Oceans' is a pretty nice song which leads into 'A Sky Full Of Stars' which is a nice track that would probably sound great in the car. The final track 'O' is a great song to end the album. I do think that the final 3 tracks do not make sense all together, one song is more of a lower and quieter song than you move into an upbeat song but then you go back too another low beat song, but i wasn't too affected by that. overall, this album has some bad songs, but for the most part the songs on this project are pretty decent. My Top 3 Tracks would have to be 'Ink', 'Midnight', and 'O'.… Expand
  5. NolanLundgaard
    Apr 11, 2020
    7
    Ghost Stories by Coldplay: 6.05

    Always in My Head: 1 Magic: 1 :) Ink: 1! True Love: 1 Midnight: 0.25 Another’s Arms: 0.75 Oceans: 0.5 A Sky Full of Stars: 1 :) O: 0.5 7/9 ~ .778 -> 6.05 Before I decided to listen to Ghost Stories, I was a little sad because this was the only Coldplay album I had not reviewed yet, and I knew once I did I would have to wait for another    Ghost Stories by Coldplay: 6.05

    Always in My Head: 1
    Magic: 1 :)
    Ink: 1!
    True Love: 1
    Midnight: 0.25
    Another’s Arms: 0.75
    Oceans: 0.5
    A Sky Full of Stars: 1 :)
    O: 0.5

    7/9 ~ .778 -> 6.05

    Before I decided to listen to Ghost Stories, I was a little sad because this was the only Coldplay album I had not reviewed yet, and I knew once I did I would have to wait for another one. Everyday Life just came out, so I would have to wait a long time. Thus, I was really excited to listen to this Ghost Stories, and it fell a little flat. This is understandable, because the lead singer, Chris Martin, had gone through a terrible divorce before Ghost Stories’s release, which likely affected the way it turned out. It starts out really well, with all of the first four songs getting perfect scores and one of those getting an exclamation point symbol for the power and emotion the lyrics contain. Besides those and A Sky Full of Stars, which I really loved, the rest of Ghost Stories is a little what you hope an actual ghost story isn’t: lifeless. The song Midnight, sadly, was slow and the vocals were hard to understand. Oceans and O were not upbeat, which was one of the ways I would have previously described Coldplay. They weren’t bad songs necessarily, but they just weren’t up to the standard that Coldplay had set with its outstanding previous four albums. That being said, I still enjoyed Ghost Stories, and Coldplay fans should like this album, or at least most of it. Highlights: Always in My Head, Magic, Ink, True Love, and A Sky Full of Stars.    … Expand
  6. EddieHokie
    Nov 24, 2019
    10
    Minimalist. Spacious. Heartbreaking. Atmospheric. Brief but poignant. The shift to a bleep and bloop album from Coldplay is initially jarring, but is used to great effect with repeated listens. Simultaneously icy and sad, Ghost Stories is a misunderstood triumph that absolutely veers off the previous bands path. Midnight and O are a couple of their best songs ever. Always in myMinimalist. Spacious. Heartbreaking. Atmospheric. Brief but poignant. The shift to a bleep and bloop album from Coldplay is initially jarring, but is used to great effect with repeated listens. Simultaneously icy and sad, Ghost Stories is a misunderstood triumph that absolutely veers off the previous bands path. Midnight and O are a couple of their best songs ever. Always in my Head is excellent tone setter as well.… Expand
  7. MahdiBzs
    Jul 19, 2018
    10
    Ghost Stories was the best album in 2014. because this album had good lyrics , good sounds & heartbroken. Thanks Chris, Jonny, Guy & Will for make this unforgettable album
  8. MacsMusic
    May 9, 2018
    6
    GS is, to me, a pretty boring album. The lyrics are unoriginal and have little to no variety across the album's 9 songs. The music is rarely ever flat-out bad, but it is often boring and largely uninteresting again and again on this album. "Stars" has generic music and lyrics that I have a hard time commending. "Midnight" is probably my favorite song off this album in terms of music. It isGS is, to me, a pretty boring album. The lyrics are unoriginal and have little to no variety across the album's 9 songs. The music is rarely ever flat-out bad, but it is often boring and largely uninteresting again and again on this album. "Stars" has generic music and lyrics that I have a hard time commending. "Midnight" is probably my favorite song off this album in terms of music. It is the most distinctive and original song off this lackluster album; it actually sounds pretty good.

    When all's said and done, I don't care for GS. The music is way to slow and boring, and the lyrics are too generic and shallow to really be enjoyed. Still, the production is high-quality and pretty well done for the most part; it's just not my cup of tea.    … Expand
  9. BrainAndS0ul
    Aug 8, 2017
    7
    While hating this record at the start, I start digging it and definetely enjoy it more than Mylo Xyloto. Simple and flat lyrics of Magic shouldn't distract you from other masterpieces of Chris Martin's songwrighting, such as Ink. And, of course, there is Midnight - the most underrated song in Coldplay's discography, fully deserving some praise. Experemination gone well.
  10. tino_bandito
    Jan 23, 2017
    8
    I enjoyed this album more than most seemed to have. With it being such an emotional album for Martin, you can tell there's been a lot more though put into the lyrics of this one in comparison to the album before and the album after.
  11. sambuu
    Sep 29, 2016
    10
    Best album from Coldplay in my opinion.They are always changing for good.This time Coldplay even more quite. Oceans and O(Fly On) are pure masterpiece songs like a old Coldplay.Personally, my best song is Midnight.A Sky Full of Stars makes me happy.Ink is my soul. Another's Arms another best song from Ghost Stories. Always in My Head and True Love are one of their best songs.
  12. chidime
    Jun 7, 2016
    4
    The first track off this album to be released was Midnight. When I heard that track, I was ecstatic. It was such a beautiful track, and so different from what we knew of Coldplay then that I just couldn't wit for the album. Obviously, I assumed they would be going in the direction of Midnight sonically, but I was so wrong. The next 'official' single was Magic, and boy was that aThe first track off this album to be released was Midnight. When I heard that track, I was ecstatic. It was such a beautiful track, and so different from what we knew of Coldplay then that I just couldn't wit for the album. Obviously, I assumed they would be going in the direction of Midnight sonically, but I was so wrong. The next 'official' single was Magic, and boy was that a disappointment. While it wasn't bad, it did nothing to move the band forward, unlike Midnight. I don't know if they were scared of going in a totally different sonic direction, but not going with the Midnight sound was their biggest mistake.Obviously, their album didn't sell since lots of ppl were disappointed. God knows what the excitement of a totally different and fresh Coldplay album would have done. Arguably their worst album (till A Head Full of Dreams) along with Mylo Xyloto.

    Coldplay really needs to make something new, refreshing, but outstanding. I mean look at Radiohead. They just made one of their best (if not best) albums ever more than 20 years into their career. It's possible guys, just stop the teenage music. You are grown men.    … Expand
  13. Mannhorse
    Nov 14, 2015
    9
    Such a heartwrenching album... All of the songs here are flat-out amazing (except for A Sky Full of Stars which is fine). I don't get the hate this album has been getting, since this album is great!
  14. rewant
    Nov 13, 2015
    10
    This is one of the best albums by Coldplay. They have made me cry with parachutes, have shocked me with AROBTTH, made me dance with MX, and now they have brought it back in a full circle. Nobody can touch my soul as well as coldplay. They are and will remain the best music artists in the world. Period.
  15. Movie-Freak-KK
    Nov 8, 2015
    9
    Sentimental and thought-provoking. Coldplay redefined soft-rock by replacing his tracks with a slow paced melody ( Magic, Midnight, A sky full of stars ) They did it again and hit me so hard !
  16. longjetty7
    Oct 4, 2015
    4
    The first two songs were a nice start to what I was hoping would be a good album, but the rest was rather dull and uninteresting. It seems that on Ghost Stories, Coldplay tried to take a bit more of a subdued and introspective direction. The result, like most other pop music, sounds generic and uncreative, but unlike other pop music, it lacks the catchiness or memorable hooks. ConsideringThe first two songs were a nice start to what I was hoping would be a good album, but the rest was rather dull and uninteresting. It seems that on Ghost Stories, Coldplay tried to take a bit more of a subdued and introspective direction. The result, like most other pop music, sounds generic and uncreative, but unlike other pop music, it lacks the catchiness or memorable hooks. Considering this album only has 9 songs, it's a shame that most of them aren't very good.… Expand
  17. Mithil
    Aug 14, 2015
    5
    With the Exception of True Love, Magic and A Sky Full of Stars, this isn't worth listening to. Coldplay goes **** crazy artsy and experimental but in a bad way.
  18. Andkan1
    Jul 21, 2015
    9
    This album is quieter and more reserved than previous Coldplay albums (notably Viva La Vida and Mylo Xyloto) which isn't a bad thing. It definitely has a few average songs but overall it is a well put together layered album.
  19. 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 and melodies. Don't listen to this, it's bad and totally forgetable.
  20. 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 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.
  21. ryanloveslana
    May 10, 2015
    3
    Weakest album to date. A disappointment for me, the album opens up with a beautiful ballad "Always in My Head", "Magic" is boring and typical, "Ink" is just a no for me, "True Love" is another gorgeous Alternative-RNB ballad that's is peacefully relaxing, "Midnight" doesn't even sound like a Coldplay song, "Another's Arms" is another typical/boring song, "Oceans" is positively reminiscentWeakest album to date. A disappointment for me, the album opens up with a beautiful ballad "Always in My Head", "Magic" is boring and typical, "Ink" is just a no for me, "True Love" is another gorgeous Alternative-RNB ballad that's is peacefully relaxing, "Midnight" doesn't even sound like a Coldplay song, "Another's Arms" is another typical/boring song, "Oceans" is positively reminiscent of "Green Eyes" from A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), "A Sky Full of Stars" is an beautiful, upbeat song produced by Avicii and is sung by Chris Martin; in addition there are two music videos that were filmed for this song, one of them being scrapped, the other being publicly released, the scrapped one is more interesting, and less cheesier than the main music video. The album closes with an pop ballad "O", the song (which is really good) just feels like it was about to be left off of the album with eight tracks. "O" would probably be a track left off from Mylo Xyloto (2011). Overall, standout tracks of the album are (only), "Always in My Head", "True Love", "A Sky Full of Stars", and "O". Fortunately, it is not bad as Mariah Carey's Charmbracelet (2002).… Expand
  22. Ricko
    May 10, 2015
    8
    I have enjoyed everything that Coldplay have produced since their sparkling debut "Parachutes", especially "A Rush of Blood to the Head" and "Viva La Vida or Death and all his friends" and while "X and Y" and "Mylo Xyloto" were in need of some serious trimming down, they are still both full of excellent pop songwriting and are well put together albums. With "Ghost Stories", the band take aI have enjoyed everything that Coldplay have produced since their sparkling debut "Parachutes", especially "A Rush of Blood to the Head" and "Viva La Vida or Death and all his friends" and while "X and Y" and "Mylo Xyloto" were in need of some serious trimming down, they are still both full of excellent pop songwriting and are well put together albums. With "Ghost Stories", the band take a slight turn off their usual stadium pop rock route. While you couldn't say that "Ghost Stories" is a stripped down album, it certainly has a more delicate feel when compared to almost every album since their debut "Parachutes". As most people are aware, the album was fueled by the break up of lead man Chris Martin's marriage and while it doesn't quite rank among the greatest of the break up album, the lyrics and themes give an insight into the denial of and struggle against "uncoupling" process. Opener "Always In My Head" is reminiscent of "Strawberry Swing" but at a slower tempo. Its a downbeat track which cries out to be played at a quicker pace, however it sets the tone for the album. "Magic", one of the main singles from the album is a perfect piece of pop built around a simple, swerving bass line. "Ink" and "True Love" are standard Coldplay numbers, packing an effortless pop-rock punch. "Midnight" is one of the more curious tracks on the records with the Martin's vocals going all Bon Iver on us. "Anothers Arms" perfectly puts across the distress of thinking of your beloved with another before we get to the "Oceans", a track which could have been lifted straight off of their previously mentioned debut "Parachutes". This is followed by the anthemic but over produced and oddly out of place "A Sky Full of Stars". "O" brings things to a gentle and downbeat end. Another solid effort from the band, and a record that holds its own in a back catalog of colossal albums.… Expand
  23. cryhardhumor
    Apr 27, 2015
    9
    Although people who aren't already Coldplay fans will for the most part be unimpressed and slightly bored by this album, those who are already steady listeners will love the smooth and emotional songs that have a nice mix of older Coldplay styles and steady electronic background music
  24. ughnicewatch
    Mar 26, 2015
    4
    The album draws upon some sort of vision, obviously greatly influenced by Martin's breakup, but the delivery leaves plenty to be desired. Coldplay's weakest effort by a distance.
  25. EFilmfan
    Mar 4, 2015
    8
    This is the best album from Coldplay. I love the songs, especially Strawberry Swing, because it's slow and so relaxing. This album is more intersting than the others..... Syifa
  26. 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 the beginning ... :)
  27. dalekslayer96
    Dec 3, 2014
    8
    I've been a massive fan of Coldplay back since AROBTTH, and I really think this album isn't that bad!
    For starters, we have Always in My Head, which is a brilliant song that ends extremely abruptly. Lyrically, it speaks of sleepless nights and constant thinking of Chris' lover. I would have liked to hear more from where this came from.
    Next is Magic, which on first listen felt a bit    I've been a massive fan of Coldplay back since AROBTTH, and I really think this album isn't that bad!
    For starters, we have Always in My Head, which is a brilliant song that ends extremely abruptly. Lyrically, it speaks of sleepless nights and constant thinking of Chris' lover. I would have liked to hear more from where this came from.
    Next is Magic, which on first listen felt a bit cheap, but after a while it really wasn't that bad. It's got a nice bass riff and builds up using the tried and true Coldplay method. Lyrically, it's slightly cliche, with lines like "Call it magic, call it true. I call it magic, when I'm with you" but Chris' brilliant falsetto towards the end of the song really pulls it forward
    Then we have Ink. And this is where the album starts getting difficult to listen to, not because of the music, but more of because of the fact that we know that this album is Chris Martin expressing his feelings. Lyrically, it uses a tattoo as a metaphor for love, and that sometimes love can be more painful to get rid off than to fall into.
    True Love is an interesting experiment, with it opening with synthesizers. An interesting point is that this song feels more like Chris Martin feat. Coldplay due to the lack of contribution from the other members of the band. The weakest point of this song, however, is Jonny Buckland's guitar solo. It sounds completely out of context. Lyrically, this song reaches the point of almost begging, with the chorus being "Tell me you love me, if you don't the lie, oh lie to me."
    Midnight is intersting, to say the least. Chris' heavily synthesized vocals play only a small part in this completely electronic song. Synths ripple in and out of the constant beat. Overall, I think this song is great.
    The weakest point in the album arrives in the form of Another's Arms. This song simply doesn't sound right, and lyrically is very bland.
    Oceans is almost like a callback to Coldplay's debut album, Parachutes. With a constant beat that sounds like a submarine's sonar, it starts with Chris Martin on the acoustic guitar and ends with the sounds of ocean waves crashing into the beach and what seems like wedding bells. This all builds up to the obligatory stadium filler for this album.
    A Sky Full of Stars. Where do I begin on this one? It opens with not Chris but Avicii on the piano. Meanwhile, Chris is busy using metaphors as usual. Then it builds up to the chorus, where we hear lines like "Cause in a sky, cause in a sky full of stars, I think I saw you. " Then Avicii comes and the song explodes into a frenzy of EDM and a subtle but audible guitar tune.
    And now we have O, our obligatory piano ballad. This song is where it really feels like Chris Martin feat. Coldplay. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful piece, but I just feel like the band could have been included a lot more.

    Overall, I feel that this really isn't a bad album. But it could definitely be a lot better.    … Expand
  28. 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. 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 anAs 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
  29. vikesh2206
    Nov 10, 2014
    6
    This album lacks the energy of Coldplay's previous albums and replaces them with slower paced love ballads. Some of these songs pay off (Magic, O), but the others feel to sappy and repetitive.
  30. Mab_987
    Oct 16, 2014
    7
    While I don't think this is up there with Coldplay's first 4 albums, this still captures their more subdued side pretty well, which is refreshing after their decent but really overblown previous album. It's also one of their more diverse albums, going from Parachutes throwbacks to nice simple pop songs that tow the line between earnest & cheesy, to Bon Iver worship to EDM bangers. AndWhile I don't think this is up there with Coldplay's first 4 albums, this still captures their more subdued side pretty well, which is refreshing after their decent but really overblown previous album. It's also one of their more diverse albums, going from Parachutes throwbacks to nice simple pop songs that tow the line between earnest & cheesy, to Bon Iver worship to EDM bangers. And yet it still stays pretty cohesive all things considered, which the possible exception of said Avicii collab. The lyrics are also mostly pretty good, centering around themes of loneliness and grief & being pretty compelling at times. The real drawback of Ghost Stories are a few boring songs and occasional lyrics that can get questionably devoted, even by Coldplay standards. But it's still a pretty good album overall.

    (For a video where I talk about GS via a parody of "Sky Full of Stars", search "Spin It Reviews" on YouTube.)    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. Pretty Much Amazing
    May 21, 2014
    42
    As much as you care and as much as you want to feel sad, you can’t be blamed if after a listen or two, all you feel is manipulated.
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  2. musicOMH.com
    May 20, 2014
    60
    Ghost Stories is overall a confessional and, as such, you definitely won’t find many anthems a la Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall or Viva La Vida. But you do get a short and sweet nine-track exorcism of demons and one crushed dude who knows how to pen some beautiful, infectious ballads.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
    Read full review
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