Kaleidoscope EP
by Coldplay
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 92 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 92
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 92
  3. Negative: 10 out of 92
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  1. HyanHythalo
    Jul 26, 2017
    10
    The EP is a true roller coaster of emotions, a beautiful complement of a head Full of Dreams (2015). But in the wrong way of other reviews, we must understand that Kaleidoscope is not a bad EP, it is simply an EP that understands its boundaries, but it makes it beautiful with the little it has.
  2. Ghost0012
    Jul 24, 2017
    10
    excited for their next sound all/5 /5. I love how they are mixing the old complay with the new coldplay. It sounds refreshing yet similar at the same time. They need to explore more of a new fresh sound yet still sound like the coldlplay we all love
  3. GerardistheWay
    Jul 25, 2017
    8
    Where to even begin? Well, before Kaleidoscope, I wasn't sure what to make of Coldplay anymore. The band who once seemed destined to become the new great gentleman rockers after exploding onto the scene with 2000's Parachutes started to lose me as they delved deeper and deeper into pop, seemingly in the name of greater sales, moving away from what made their debut and A Rush of Blood toWhere to even begin? Well, before Kaleidoscope, I wasn't sure what to make of Coldplay anymore. The band who once seemed destined to become the new great gentleman rockers after exploding onto the scene with 2000's Parachutes started to lose me as they delved deeper and deeper into pop, seemingly in the name of greater sales, moving away from what made their debut and A Rush of Blood to the Head so great. What I love about this new EP, however, a companion piece to their most recent studio album A Head Full of Dreams, is that it's the best of both worlds: while the desire to experiment with sounds borrowed from electronic, ambient and pop music is still there, they don't stray too far from their roots, taking care not to alienate core fans.

    The slow-burning opening track, 'All I Can Think About is You', could've very well been a B-cut off one of their first three albums. "Fish out of water/Bird stuck on the ground," Chris Martin croons (with the help of no small amount of echo) over twinkling dream-pop piano and sinewy guitar work. This kind of hyperbolic irony is plentiful on the EP, and Martin finds no problem comparing himself to such great historical figures as Muhammad Ali and Mahatma Gandhi on the Big Sean-assisted 'Miracles (Someone Special)'. An ego on Chris Martin? No way! But these historical heavyweights aren't name-dropped in a braggadocious manner - in fact, Martin's tone is characteristically nostalgic as he remembers the words of encouragement from his father that he could be anything he wanted to be. This has always been a large part of Coldplay's charm: despite seemingly coming from some place on high, the relatability of their songs and the positive, uplifting messages in them make them nigh-instantly likable (Plus, Martin and crew just seem like genuinely nice guys - if you don't believe me, check out the footage he recorded from the stage at a concert for a fan using her phone, including close-ups of all the band members).

    Chainsmokers collaboration and Billboard Top 100 hit 'Something Just Like This' and the phenomenal closer 'Hypnotised' are also included despite already being released prior to the EP, except those of you disappointed to have to pay full price for two songs you already own will find they're different indeed. While the live Tokyo version of the former does little to really improve upon the existing studio version, the latter has been extended out with an ambient opener that makes the climax of the song all the sweeter. 'A L I E N S' is probably their most experimental cut to date (Brian Eno has a habit of bringing out that trait in the band, it seems), with sharp Spanish guitars intercut with buzzing synths that creates a feeling of oddity and other-worldliness. But it's 'Hypnotised' in particular, a terrific dream-pop song and spine-tingling ballad in the same vein as Rush of Blood's 'The Scientist' and X&Y's 'Fix You', that stands out for being perhaps a perfect representation of what this EP set out to achieve: a return to the old, but with enough of the new to still sound fresh. This is exactly the creative direction I've been hoping Coldplay would move in, and while I wouldn't exactly say they're in top form again just yet, I'd say that this is a pretty damn good start. 8/10

    Choice cuts:
    'Miracles (Someone Special)', 'Hypnotised', 'All I Can Think About is You'    … Expand
  4. JohnJames
    Jul 30, 2017
    8
    It still shocking that coldplay is still relevant,I mean 17 years of existance and still a large band that is known by many. I kind a like them, I have a soft spot of this band and they do have some handful of good songs to enjoy. i enjoy their older albums like Parachutes, A Rush Of Blood to the Head and Viva La Vida except X&Y which are just boring elevator music. I also enjoy theirIt still shocking that coldplay is still relevant,I mean 17 years of existance and still a large band that is known by many. I kind a like them, I have a soft spot of this band and they do have some handful of good songs to enjoy. i enjoy their older albums like Parachutes, A Rush Of Blood to the Head and Viva La Vida except X&Y which are just boring elevator music. I also enjoy their newer ones Mylo Xyloto was fun except the last 3 tracks on the album, Ghost Stories has only 2 good songs rest is like X&Y and A Head full of Dreams has good singles the rest was ''meh'. This band is totally divisive.

    Now their new EP, a companion EP of A Head Full of Dreams is out, here are my thoughts.
    The EP has 5 tracks, The first track is ' All I Can Think About is you'' it has minimal lyrics and it's kind a bit underwhelming but the music is mostly where they focus on, with mixture of their older sound and newer ones clashing in the climax which is pleasant to the ears, the first few minutes gives you a time to relax. The 2nd Track is'' Miracles II or Miracles(Someone Special)'' has some good lyrics but Big Sean's part was the highlight of the song even if it is generic. A L I E N S 3rd track is the most interesting, the song has meaning and it has a psychedelic tone to it . The fourth track Something Just like This (Tokyo Mix) is the most dissapointing, Don't get me wrong I like the song even if it is a rip-off of Rozes and has a Hymn for the weekend feel of it, The tarck is just a live recording of their concert at Tokyo, it has screams of the people and that's about it. I wanted to hear Coldplay's version of the song but nope. Hypnotised the last track is relaxing to the ears, it just sounds so good even if the lyrics doesn't go anywhere.

    Coldplay, love them or hate them is a good band, they have potential to be a great one.    … Expand
  5. Ricko
    Mar 2, 2018
    8
    After their brilliant 4th album "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends", Coldplay released the companion EP "Prospekts March". While definitely a level below the album, it did have some decent stuff on it, alternate versions of songs from the albums and a few decent tracks that were left over from the album sessions. "Kaleidascope" is a similar proposition in that it is a companionAfter their brilliant 4th album "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends", Coldplay released the companion EP "Prospekts March". While definitely a level below the album, it did have some decent stuff on it, alternate versions of songs from the albums and a few decent tracks that were left over from the album sessions. "Kaleidascope" is a similar proposition in that it is a companion piece/continuation to the "A Head Full of Dreams" album. Again, this EP has some very decent stuff on it. At 5 tracks, it is concise and efficient with no filler but at the same time doesn't quite grab you apart from ALIENS. A good release that captures exactly where Coldplay are at right now.… Expand
  6. Juniorsanctus
    Aug 15, 2017
    8
    oito. 4 por A L I E N S e 4 por All I Can Think About is You. Essa colaboração com the bostasmokers não devia existir. muito ruim. Podia ter colocado outra melhor no lugar.
  7. musicreviews7
    Aug 4, 2017
    8
    This is their best release since Viva La Vida. Pity it's just five songs. Best track: All I Can Think About Is You, Miracles (Someone Special) Worst: Something Just Like This.
  8. sambuu
    Jul 18, 2017
    10
    Amazing EP,

    Best track : All i Can Think About Is You. A L I E N S and All I Can Think About Is You are one of best Coldplay tracks. Like old Coldplay. Miracles (Someone Special): They're featured with Big Sean. This collaboration is better than another track Something Just Like This Something Just Like This (Tokyo Remix) : This is not original Something Just Like This. This is    Amazing EP,

    Best track : All i Can Think About Is You.

    A L I E N S and All I Can Think About Is You are one of best Coldplay tracks. Like old Coldplay.

    Miracles (Someone Special): They're featured with Big Sean. This collaboration is better than another track Something Just Like This

    Something Just Like This (Tokyo Remix) : This is not original Something Just Like This. This is live version of Something Just Like This. Original song is too much from The Chainsmokers. In this version Coldplay owned this song by own performance, fans, audience.

    Hypnotised: Another masterpiece track. EP mix has included opening intro. Feeling relaxing.    … Expand
  9. DavidWasHere
    Dec 10, 2017
    6
    This EP is really more of a B-sides compilation than an album experience, much like the Prospekt's March EP for Viva La Vida. And while that doesn't sound super appealing, this actually isn't half bad. In fact dare I say it's better than the album this is an extension of, A Head Full of Dreams. While that album was weighed down by banal and safe compositions and the band trying to keep upThis EP is really more of a B-sides compilation than an album experience, much like the Prospekt's March EP for Viva La Vida. And while that doesn't sound super appealing, this actually isn't half bad. In fact dare I say it's better than the album this is an extension of, A Head Full of Dreams. While that album was weighed down by banal and safe compositions and the band trying to keep up with the times, Kaleidoscope feels like an experiment of the band's sound with modern pop and dance sounds. There are two fantastic songs here. A L I E N S is this pretty weird but catchy mix of psychedelia and dance music that's really fun, and the opener All I Can Think About is You, is a pretty lovely ballad that is reminiscent of early Coldplay, particularly A Rush of Blood to the Head-era Coldplay. Even the weaker songs here have good ideas. Miracles has a very lovely arrangement and Chris Martin sounds great on here, or at least more than Big Sean. Something Just Like This is an alright live cut and does let the rest of the band breath than being strangled by the Chainsmokers EDM clunkers, which is still rather prevalent on this live track unfortunately. And Hypnotized is like a mix of Ghost Stories-era and Mylo Xyloto-era that's actually not half bad. This EP isn't much of an essential unless you are a hardcore Coldplay fan, but if you were left disappointed from Head Full of Dreams, you might not like it, but it is worth checking out, I would say. If only for two great songs!… Expand
  10. MR_headphones
    Jul 20, 2017
    2
    coldplay - kaleidoscope ep
    mini review
    coldplay is improving all i can think about is you: 2/10 what are you saying miracles: 4/10 big sean is ok but didn't fit A L I E N S: 2.5/10 umm... something just like this tokyo remix: 3.5/10 the original but slightly worse hypnotized - ep mix: 2/10 6:31 long best: um... worst: all i can think about is you, hypnotized, A L I E N S,    coldplay - kaleidoscope ep
    mini review

    coldplay is improving

    all i can think about is you: 2/10 what are you saying
    miracles: 4/10 big sean is ok but didn't fit
    A L I E N S: 2.5/10 umm...
    something just like this tokyo remix: 3.5/10 the original but slightly worse
    hypnotized - ep mix: 2/10 6:31 long

    best: um...
    worst: all i can think about is you, hypnotized, A L I E N S, something just like this tokyo remix

    mid to strong 2

    never mind    … Expand
  11. Angel1989
    Nov 3, 2017
    5
    This is so boring, i mean, A Head Full Of Dreams was right, catchy songs and melodies but here, the songs are so bad. Only "Miracles (Someone Special)" and "Hypnotised" are good, for really.
  12. fabienbarthe
    Aug 20, 2017
    3
    Milo Xiloto was the beggining of the end, This EP just confirms it. Coldplay is focusing on making money, it doesnt matter if they need to sound like Justin Bieber, Calvin Harris or any other sh%&# artist like those. Its a shame, considering that once they were some sort of a promise in rock music.
  13. chidime
    Jul 26, 2017
    9
    This is an excellent piece of work. Perfect mixture of old Coldplay and experimental Coldplay, and, you know what makes it great? - It's great music. Every song is great, with the least great being the Chainsmokers one, but the live version sounds much better than the original. Can say confidently that this is Coldplay's best body of work since Viva La Vida.

    9/10
  14. Macrofficial
    Apr 23, 2020
    6
    Kaleidoscope Is an album by coldplay with 5, some good and some meh tracks. 'All I Can Think Of You' Is just an amazing, beautiful, powerful, and moving track, really love this track. 'Miracles' is a nice song with a good Big Sean Feature. 'A L I E N S' Is a song with very good story telling. BUT, this is where the EP goes from being a great EP too being a mediocre. 'Something Just LikeKaleidoscope Is an album by coldplay with 5, some good and some meh tracks. 'All I Can Think Of You' Is just an amazing, beautiful, powerful, and moving track, really love this track. 'Miracles' is a nice song with a good Big Sean Feature. 'A L I E N S' Is a song with very good story telling. BUT, this is where the EP goes from being a great EP too being a mediocre. 'Something Just Like This - Tokyo Remix' Isn't exactly a "remix"...it's a live version of a song that already sucks. Coldplay does make the song a little bit more bearable, but The Chainsmokers just have the most basic, and most effortless sounds in this song, so for them to do a live version of this song doesn't really do anything for me. 'Hypnotised - EP Mix' Isn't particularly a bad track, it's just pretty mediocre and boring. Kaleidoscope is an EP that looked good at the start, but went downhill halfway through, which is why I'm giving it a 6, 3 Good tracks at the start, 2 Bad-Mediocre Songs. My Favourite Track On This EP is: All I Can Think About Is You.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. The Guardian
    Aug 3, 2017
    60
    This EP is nothing but on-brand, however; euphoric emotion, an earnest, universal message and a coating of tacky charm.
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  2. Rolling Stone
    Jul 26, 2017
    70
    Titled after a soothing interlude from the band's 2015 LP, A Head Full of Dreams, this five-song EP continues that album's mood of tranquil satisfaction.
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  3. AllMusic
    Jul 21, 2017
    70
    Within these five tracks, Coldplay touch upon various contemporary trends in EDM, R&B, and rock without abandoning their identity, and thereby they are fleet and clever, not relics.
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