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. NeilP
    Jun 14, 2005
    9
    Almost as good as Coldplay gets. It's Great, i love it!
  2. sedm
    Jun 15, 2005
    1
    b sides
  3. Julian
    Jun 15, 2005
    8
    Like Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head, this album is front loaded with some amazing stuff. Then, just like their previous efforts, the recede into some pretty mediocre stuff. Despite this pattern, the front of this album is so amazing that everyone who liked Parachutes or Rush of Blood should pick it up. The best tracks are Talk (simply amazing stuff), What If, and White Shadows.
  4. PaulP
    Jun 15, 2005
    7
    I have been an avid Colplay fan for quite some time now, and I was greatly anticipating this release. However, after bringing it home and listning to it twice, I felt that it was a bit too sparse in it's great moments, especially after an album like Rush of Blood. Coldplay needs to stop trying to appeal to an ignorant majority of idiot teeagers, and concentrate on making real art. I have been an avid Colplay fan for quite some time now, and I was greatly anticipating this release. However, after bringing it home and listning to it twice, I felt that it was a bit too sparse in it's great moments, especially after an album like Rush of Blood. Coldplay needs to stop trying to appeal to an ignorant majority of idiot teeagers, and concentrate on making real art. Though it was a let down, it still maintained that sense of asthetics that we all know and love as Coldplay. Most of all, I look forward to what will come next, will they keep engaging in becoming part of the MTV machine? Or will they take the "Kid A" approach. We can all hope for the latter.… Expand
  5. KeramC
    Jun 16, 2005
    4
    This album is a pleasing but easily forgetable listen. If you're looking for mindless, instant gratification, this is your album. If you're looking for insightful, well-crafted lyrics, avoid this album like the plauge.
  6. JessS
    Jun 16, 2005
    9
    I have never been a huge coldplay fan, i will not deny the intensity of their hits, (ex. yellow, the scientist, clocks etc.) I own parachutes, which i have never much liked and AROBTTH which i enjoy, but rarely. However X & Y is one of the top 5 records I have heard released in since 1999. i am floored at their ability to mix all aspects and create such a beautifully blended masterpiece. I have never been a huge coldplay fan, i will not deny the intensity of their hits, (ex. yellow, the scientist, clocks etc.) I own parachutes, which i have never much liked and AROBTTH which i enjoy, but rarely. However X & Y is one of the top 5 records I have heard released in since 1999. i am floored at their ability to mix all aspects and create such a beautifully blended masterpiece. Those disappointed incertain aspects of the album should attempt to see the final product for what is, a heart felt ballad album with phenomenal rhythm. I am truly floored.… Expand
  7. michaelc
    Jun 16, 2005
    5
    I loved Rush of blood to the head but this album just never takes off. The songs run together alot and are just kind of boring. It's too bad.
  8. AZAELM
    Jun 17, 2005
    10
    I can not stop listen the whole album since i got it, I think is the most remarkable job of the band.... specially Talk....
  9. Amanda
    Jun 17, 2005
    8
    My sister is crazy about this bands music. But who isn't, right. I think it they are ok.
  10. MarianoD
    Jun 17, 2005
    8
    Coldplay has done again a remarkable job. For those who do not like this album, I must tell you that this is not easy listening music. You have to hear the songs many times to start finding the appropiate sour to the songs. Follow my advice, hear many times, find the sour and you will see this album is going to be amazing to your ears. Enjoy!
  11. Jon
    Jun 17, 2005
    10
    It just keeps growing and growing on me. An amazing CD that keeps working its way under my skin!
  12. lewekj
    Jun 22, 2005
    7
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz wheres the alarm clock? garners a 7 off the sheer power of 4 truly u2 meets oasis meets radiohead meets coldplay fantastic songs. a rush of blood to the head will likely serve as "definitely maybe" their "morning glory. uneven.
  13. Thom
    Jun 22, 2005
    0
    Blender give this 100 and then give Foo Fighters 60 and claim they are dull, Blender, you really suck big time.
  14. DanB.
    Jun 26, 2005
    6
    I'm not a huge coldplay fan, but I did like their previous albums enough that I still listen to them every once in a while. Not all the tracks, but, most of them. And I've listened to the new one a few times and can't help but think that I won't be pulling it out, randomly, months from now. It's not bad though. A few songs off it I'll pull off for mixes, maybe.
  15. HarryH
    Jun 28, 2005
    6
    Great in places, but nowhere near as consistent as the last album. Coldplay seem to have forgotten that you can't add layers of synth simply for the sake of it, and this is where the album's main flaw stems from - they've tried to cram too much into too small a space. The best songs, such as "The Hardest Part" and "'Til Kingdom Come", are often the simplest.
  16. RM
    Jun 29, 2005
    10
    this is an album that takes a few listens to really like. im not a huge coldplay fan, but i liked a rush of blood and thought id check it out. some of the lyrics are kind of lame like "i want to love you but i dont know if i can," but the melodies were beautiful and i coudnt get them out of my head. this is a great listen!
  17. kellyc
    Jun 29, 2005
    9
    I liked this album right when I heard it
  18. JaysonJ
    Jun 29, 2005
    8
    Ostensibly, X&Y is a triumph. Every second sounds sublimely good, but sometimes that alone cannot merit greatness. The album lacks the poeticism that "Don't Panic" and "Yellow" lent to Parachutes and the Instrumental glory found in A Rush's "Clocks" and "In My Place." Martin's lyrics are unforgivably stilted. How could the line "The tears come streaming down your face" be Ostensibly, X&Y is a triumph. Every second sounds sublimely good, but sometimes that alone cannot merit greatness. The album lacks the poeticism that "Don't Panic" and "Yellow" lent to Parachutes and the Instrumental glory found in A Rush's "Clocks" and "In My Place." Martin's lyrics are unforgivably stilted. How could the line "The tears come streaming down your face" be written by the same man who wrote "I was just guessing in numbers and figures." Then again, why can't I stop listening to it? I guess the real tragedy is in how good it could have been. Twisted Logic is the CD's best.… Expand
  19. tsuede
    Jul 18, 2005
    0
    worst album of the year . so boring . chris martin's not a good song writer . all songs copy of U2 , mercury rev and radiohead .
  20. matti
    Jul 18, 2005
    9
    my favourite coldplay album yet
  21. JonW
    Jul 24, 2005
    8
    Overall good album with many good songs that martin some makes sound different and each in their own way enjoyable. Although it did take some time i was pleased with the album
  22. martymcfly
    Jul 29, 2005
    10
    A fantastic album from start to finish. Sure they are sticking to their formula, but I loved their previous albums and I love this one too.
  23. TFletcher
    Aug 14, 2005
    1
    I can sum up X&Y in six words: an imitation of U2 and Radiohead. John Buckland is the biggest rip off I think I've ever heard. He's just capitalising off a sound The Edge perfected over many years. This whole album is a load of boring shite. "Fix You" is the worst song of this year, by far. Don't buy this album, it's a waste of money. "Twisted Logic" and "X&Y" are I can sum up X&Y in six words: an imitation of U2 and Radiohead. John Buckland is the biggest rip off I think I've ever heard. He's just capitalising off a sound The Edge perfected over many years. This whole album is a load of boring shite. "Fix You" is the worst song of this year, by far. Don't buy this album, it's a waste of money. "Twisted Logic" and "X&Y" are probably just about the only good songs on it. If you want to buy some good albums, pick up "The Unforgettable Fire" by U2 (this is the album Coldplay have been trying to recreate on AROBTTH and X&Y) "Achtung Baby" by U2, "The Bends" by Radiohead, and "OK Computer" by Radiohead. These are actually GOOD albums. Don't be fooled by the imitators. Coldplay are nothing more than a bland version of U2 and Radiohead combined. Can't believe everyone's falling for the act.… Expand
  24. BeckaF
    Aug 21, 2005
    10
    I am officially in love with this album... although in my eyes it doesn't beat Parachutes i think it's genius and i don't understand why people give feedback if they hate the album.. here's a plan if you don't like it don't listen to it and stop trying to ruin it for other people!
  25. Kimi
    Aug 23, 2005
    10
    Wow! I think those who critic this album might be crazy! This is by far the best album ever! Even if you might not listen to it on radio stations quite often.. X&Y offers great songs from the greatest band.. COLDPLAY!!
  26. BenS
    Sep 23, 2005
    5
    I hate to break the party but I am unconvinced by this album. The lyrics aren't 'crap', but are sadly, dull. Love ballads about nothing-in-particurlar are in I know but after an excellent 'fix you', 'what if', and 'a message' are a bit boring really. There is nothing to match the extreme catchiness of 'clocks', no ballad that has ever I hate to break the party but I am unconvinced by this album. The lyrics aren't 'crap', but are sadly, dull. Love ballads about nothing-in-particurlar are in I know but after an excellent 'fix you', 'what if', and 'a message' are a bit boring really. There is nothing to match the extreme catchiness of 'clocks', no ballad that has ever bettered 'yellow', in fact CMs voice seems to have lost some of its once appealing personality, ho hum… Expand
  27. JenW
    Sep 28, 2005
    6
    I'm lukewarm, although there are some musically satisfying bits and pieces in this album. Overall I can't find one song that feels like a coherent whole, perhaps with exception to "The Hardest Part"; there seems to be something simple and pulled together about that one. I keep playing the album, feverently looking for an answer to their "code", but coming up with nothing in the end.
  28. MichelleB
    Sep 29, 2005
    9
    Was disappointed for the first few listenings. Put it down for a week. Picked it back up. Got stuck on Square One for another week. Then really listened to the whole album - now I find I can't stop listening to it. Every time I listen, I hear more -- I might even make my husband a Coldplay fan!
  29. JonR
    Nov 19, 2005
    6
    X&Y was the first Coldplay album I bought thanks to my addiction to the Fix You video from Live 8 when AOL still had it up. Really lovely stuff. But as a whole this album drowns itself out. Theres very little (if any) contrast in pacing or atmosphere from song to song, which kills the album. Sure it has some highlights, White Shadows, the formentioned Fix You and the final three tracks X&Y was the first Coldplay album I bought thanks to my addiction to the Fix You video from Live 8 when AOL still had it up. Really lovely stuff. But as a whole this album drowns itself out. Theres very little (if any) contrast in pacing or atmosphere from song to song, which kills the album. Sure it has some highlights, White Shadows, the formentioned Fix You and the final three tracks come to mind. Most of the rest is rather blah, average. I have no problem with falsetto vocals either (hell I love Radiohead and Muse) so don't go into that. Basically this albums has 5 great songs and then a collection of a couple "good" ones and many without any zip.… Expand
  30. JK
    Dec 19, 2005
    0
    GACK!!!!! i hate coldplay... 100% yawn-fest.... k thats all
  31. 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.
  32. Ricko
    Sep 29, 2019
    8
    After critical and commercial success with their first two albums, this was the difficult third album for Coldplay. Expectations were very high from everyone and EMI were banking on it to save their year in 2005. The band delayed the release of it several times but were under pressure to get it out. It shows, much like U2's (underrated) POP album, a few more months working on it couldAfter critical and commercial success with their first two albums, this was the difficult third album for Coldplay. Expectations were very high from everyone and EMI were banking on it to save their year in 2005. The band delayed the release of it several times but were under pressure to get it out. It shows, much like U2's (underrated) POP album, a few more months working on it could have turned this into a classic. Don't get me wrong, "X & Y" is very good and has some of the best songs the band have produced on it, but it's quite probably two tracks too long and at times the songs are produced to such an extent that their innate magic is diluted. **Update** I still listen to this 14 years or so after its initial release and it has some of my favourite Coldplay tracks, especially on the second half. The view that this was a missed opportunity to produce a classic still stands.… Expand
  33. 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
  34. sambuu
    Aug 12, 2016
    10
    Hands down, this album is most underrated Coldplay album ever. X&Y earned so many commercial success but this isn't enough for this album. Every tracks on this album are very good. More guitar riffs, more meaningful lyrics written by Chris Martin.
  35. Lars_Olav
    Nov 1, 2022
    10
    Almost perfect rock album, 1 medicore song (twisted logic). With this songs :
    Fix you, Talk, Square One, Speed of Sound, The Hardest Part, Swallow by the sea and Kingdom Come. Really great.
  36. Equalizer_77
    Nov 24, 2019
    10
    An excellent album of my favorites, great melodies that stay stuck in the head, an exquisite sound.
  37. BrainAndS0ul
    Aug 8, 2017
    7
    Coldplay were trying to find something new during the whole album just to find out that the best songs of the record ("Fix You" and my absolute coldplay favourite "Speed of Sound") were written using pretty much the old formulas of their last album
  38. NolanLundgaard
    Apr 7, 2020
    10
    X&Y by Coldplay: 9.25

    Square One: 1 :) What If: 1 White Shadows: 1 :) Fix You: 1 Talk: 1 :) X&Y: 0.75 Speed of Sound: 1 :) A Message: 1 Low: 1 The Hardest Part: 1 :) Swallowed in the Sea: 1 :) Twisted Logic: 0.75 Til Kingdom Come: 1 :) 12.5/13 ~ .962 -> 9.25 In my ratings, it is certainly not easy to get a 10/10, as this is the second album I’ve reviewed out of over    X&Y by Coldplay: 9.25

    Square One: 1 :)
    What If: 1
    White Shadows: 1 :)
    Fix You: 1
    Talk: 1 :)
    X&Y: 0.75
    Speed of Sound: 1 :)
    A Message: 1
    Low: 1
    The Hardest Part: 1 :)
    Swallowed in the Sea: 1 :)
    Twisted Logic: 0.75
    Til Kingdom Come: 1 :)

    12.5/13 ~ .962 -> 9.25

    In my ratings, it is certainly not easy to get a 10/10, as this is the second album I’ve reviewed out of over 50 to earn this rating. What’s even harder, though, is getting the best score yet, which X&Y has accomplished. Besides the hit-or-miss Parachutes album, I have really enjoyed what Coldplay has released. Their third album is no exception. X&Y is pretty much the perfect album, as almost all of its songs got a perfect score, and I still really liked the two that didn’t as well. On the album is The Hardest Part and Speed Of Sound, which are perhaps two of my absolute favorite songs. I have no complaints, and I wish all albums were like X&Y. I recommend Coldplay’s third to everyone who loves quality music. Highlights: Square One, What If, White Shadows, Fix You, Talk, Speed of Sound, A Message, Low, The Hardest Part, Swallowed in the Sea, and Til Kingdom Come.    … Expand
  39. Timolovemusic
    Dec 9, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I love this album, the best coldplay album, i love the sounds, and lyrics, i love all of the album, the best coldplay album, for ever, 10/10… Expand
  40. jivagoachkar
    Nov 6, 2019
    8
    Álbum da turnê de 2007, quando a banda veio ao Brasil pela segunda vez. Foi o primeiro grande show que eu fui na minha vida. Tinha apenas 17 anos, e tudo aquilo era novo para mim. Um grande espetáculo e X&Y foi o último grande álbum do Coldplay que me emocionou.
  41. Macrofficial
    Apr 17, 2020
    9
    Released In 2005, X&Y Is an amazingly solid album.
    The Album Starts Off With 'Square One' Which Greatly Sets The Tone With It's High Paced Instrumentals. 'What If' and 'White Shadows' are both great songs that mix their vocals and instruments amazingly well (which goes for most of the songs on the album if I'm being honest). 'Fix You' is probably the most emotional and sad song on the    Released In 2005, X&Y Is an amazingly solid album.
    The Album Starts Off With 'Square One' Which Greatly Sets The Tone With It's High Paced Instrumentals. 'What If' and 'White Shadows' are both great songs that mix their vocals and instruments amazingly well (which goes for most of the songs on the album if I'm being honest). 'Fix You' is probably the most emotional and sad song on the album which I love! 'Talk' is lyrically pristine and the vocals and instrumentals are very fitting. 'X&Y', the song, has a certain vibe too it which makes you feel like your floating around underwater or in space, which is ironic because one of the lines is literally "You and me are drifting into outer space" TOGETHERRR! Speed Of Sound is a Good song, but I do think it is overrated, there's nothing bad about it it's just one of the more popular songs on the album, even though it's not as good as most of the other songs on X&Y. 'A Message' is a good middle tier song (compared to the other songs on the album) on the album and the thing I really like about this song is the electric guitar that goes in between your ears if you're wearing headphones, which I know a lot of songs do but I especially like it on this track. 'Low' Has some of the best instrumentals on the whole album, very upbeat. 'The Hardest Part' Has some of the best vocals on the album. 'Swallowed in the Sea' is a song that I don't really like, It doesn't make me hate the album, but it is a song that probably made me give the album a 9 instead of a 10 (leading reason not the ONLY reason) Lyrically, it's just a little corny and it feels a little out of place on the album. 'Twisted Logic' is a song that gives off a feeling of being in a movie or movie trailer, it just sounds like a track that would be good in a movie if used right. and finally, too end off the album it's 'Til Kingdom Come' which is a beautiful and honestly perfect way too end off an amazing album, it's a type of song that would be perfect on a 3AM playlist. I feel that X&Y is better than coldplay's debut album, 'Parachutes', and their sophomore album, 'A Rush of Blood to the Head', which are both great albums, it's just not Vocally, Instrumentally, and Lyricly as good as X&Y. My favourite tracks on this album would have too be Fix You, Low, and Til Kingdom Come.    … Expand
  42. IvanCriticKTC
    Apr 16, 2020
    9
    An alternative name for the album: Coldplay's masterpiece. The best album by Coldplay to date. Great production, great vocals delayed by Martin, cohesive, and it has one of the best songs ever (if not the best) by Coldplay: Fix You. Some of you would not agree with me, some of you love this album, some of you got disappointed for this album, this is not a disappointment, this is evolution.An alternative name for the album: Coldplay's masterpiece. The best album by Coldplay to date. Great production, great vocals delayed by Martin, cohesive, and it has one of the best songs ever (if not the best) by Coldplay: Fix You. Some of you would not agree with me, some of you love this album, some of you got disappointed for this album, this is not a disappointment, this is evolution. I don't know if I could be acclaiming this album like this if I were a Coldplayer before X&Y, I heard this album in 2020 and it sounds timeless, I heard A rush of blood to the head and it's timeless too. So, I just can say: this is art, but some people will not recognize it.… Expand
  43. modern_football
    Jan 14, 2022
    10
    If there's one thing I have never understood, it's why Coldplay's 2005 opus X&Y is nearly universally looked down upon as being their worst of that decade. This is not only my personal favorite from the band, but it is in my top 5 favorite albums of all time. While though the two albums that surrounded this one were pretty much perfect in their own right, X&Y still reigns supreme to me.If there's one thing I have never understood, it's why Coldplay's 2005 opus X&Y is nearly universally looked down upon as being their worst of that decade. This is not only my personal favorite from the band, but it is in my top 5 favorite albums of all time. While though the two albums that surrounded this one were pretty much perfect in their own right, X&Y still reigns supreme to me. Why? I guess it's just because the sound that the band went for on this particular project is my favorite I have ever heard from them. Right off the bat, you get a perfect example of this sound in "Square One". This album is very spacey, and this song is a great example of that. Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion all go SO hard on this album! "What If" gives us some more of those classic Coldplay pianos we all know and love but with a special twist. "White Shadows" has more fantastic guitar and vocal work. "Fix You" is a classic... nothing much to add on that one. "Talk" is another highlight. The instrumental interlude on that track is just killer. The title track just might be the spaciest song on here, very underrated. "Speed of Sound" is another Coldplay classic with fantastic piano and drum work. "A Message" is yet another one of the band's most underrated and flat out best songs. The way the acoustic guitars transition into the hard hitting hook is just amazing. "Low" is a great song even if the ending drags on just a bit. "The Hardest Part" remains underrated despite being a single. "Swallowed in the Sea" is great too, the instrumentation really just makes it sound like a song that takes place out at sea. "Twisted Logic" just might be Coldplay's hardest song to date, the band just absolutely shreds their instruments on this one and it's plain awesome. "Til Kingdom Come" doesn't add a ton but is still a nice closer as a hidden track. I do wonder what the Johnny Cash version would have sounded like...… Expand
  44. Whyhelder
    Sep 24, 2020
    10
    I’m sure this is their best album even though many people dislike it - that includes the band. Their best lyrics and theis best instrumentals are in this album. Nothing has ever touched me so much as these songs. From the beginning to the end
  45. Mellowry
    Aug 12, 2021
    10
    I can understand this is not everybodies favorite, but here's why X&Y is the best album Coldplay ever put out in my opinion: Parachutes was a great debut, A Rush of Blood improved a lot of things but X&Y has these spacy notes and everything indeed sounds as you would imagine sound of space if it would have one, it is mystic, 'Square One' is probably the best example, listening to that inI can understand this is not everybodies favorite, but here's why X&Y is the best album Coldplay ever put out in my opinion: Parachutes was a great debut, A Rush of Blood improved a lot of things but X&Y has these spacy notes and everything indeed sounds as you would imagine sound of space if it would have one, it is mystic, 'Square One' is probably the best example, listening to that in the night especially looking to the stars gives you sort of feelings like "what is everything?". The slight voiced choruses, releasing in a sort of mid-epic to epic emotional hook with slight guitar work, just like 'What If' with it's slow and silent opening and a big chorus. it's improving what Coldplay did wrong in the first two albums, such as the Demo: It doesn't try too much to convince you. You can just listen along with a topic set from the first song, all the way through. I don't think the two predecessors where bad of course, but I also think, X&Y is not a bad album as well, it's just being experimental and that's what i really like about artist, if they manage to be experimentally interesting. I agree though, that twisted logic is probably the weakest song by far on this album, it's the only song i couldn't get behind that doesn't quite fit the track listing that well, but the rest is really an experience to listen to. Such as the other albums.… Expand
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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.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    60
    They have chosen to opt for the standard formula: it's elegiac, mid-tempo, stadium-friendly ballads all the way.
    Read full review
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