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Music of the Spheres (Coldplay album)

{{Short description|2021 studio album by Coldplay}}

{{Redirect-distinguish|Infinity Sign (song)|Infinity (disambiguation)#Songs{{!}}Infinity (song)}}

{{Use British English|date=November 2023}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Music of the Spheres

| type = studio

| artist = Coldplay

| cover = Coldplay - Music of the Spheres (Official Album Artwork).png

| alt =

| caption = Standard edition cover

| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2021|10|15}}

| recorded = 2019–2021

| studio =

| genre = {{Flatlist|

}}

| length = 41:50

| label = {{Flatlist|

}}

| producer = {{Flatlist|

}}

| prev_title = Everyday Life

| prev_year = 2019

| next_title = Moon Music

| next_year = 2024

| chronology = Coldplay

| misc = {{Singles

| name = Music of the Spheres

| type = studio

| single1 = Higher Power

| single1date = 7 May 2021

| single2 = My Universe

| single2date = 24 September 2021

| single3 = Let Somebody Go

| single3date = 7 February 2022

}}

}}

Music of the Spheres (subtitled Vol. I: From Earth with Love)Album subtitle:

  • {{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/coldplay/status/1417501479263477770|title=Music of the Spheres (Vol 1) Official announcement|access-date=2021-10-18|website=Twitter}}
  • {{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/cponcharts/status/1438966385284194312|title=Music of the Spheres, front and back covers revealed|access-date=2021-10-18|website=Twitter}} is the ninth studio album by British rock band Coldplay, released on 15 October 2021 by Parlophone in the United Kingdom and Atlantic in the United States. The album was produced by Max Martin, who is a new producer to the band's discography.{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Matthew Ismael |date=20 July 2021 |title=Coldplay Announce New Album Music of the Spheres |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/coldplay-announce-new-album-music-of-the-spheres/ |access-date=20 July 2021 |website=Pitchfork |archive-date=20 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720151307/https://pitchfork.com/news/coldplay-announce-new-album-music-of-the-spheres/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |last=Shaffer |first=Claire |date=20 July 2021 |title=Coldplay Confirm New Album 'Music of the Spheres' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/coldplay-music-of-the-spheres-1199467/ |access-date=20 July 2021 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=20 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720150649/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/coldplay-music-of-the-spheres-1199467/ |url-status=live}} It features guest appearances from Selena Gomez, We Are King, Jacob Collier and BTS, as well as returning contributions from electronic producer Jon Hopkins.

Music of the Spheres is the band's second concept album after 2011's Mylo Xyloto. The album explores pop, pop rock, space rock, space music and ambient influences. It is set in a fictional planetary system called The Spheres, which contains nine planets, three natural satellites, a star and a nebula, with each one of them corresponding to a certain track on the record. According to lead singer Chris Martin, its concept and themes were not only based on Mylo Xyloto, but also inspired by the Star Wars film franchise, which made him and the other band members wonder what other artists could be like across the universe, while also using the planets as a canvas to explore human experience.

In anticipation for the album, Coldplay released "Higher Power" and "My Universe" as singles, with the former being nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards,{{Cite web |date=2021-11-23 |title=Grammy Nominations 2022: See the Full List Here |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/grammy-nominations-2022-see-the-full-list-here/ |access-date=2021-11-23 |website=Pitchfork}} and the latter being nominated for the same award at the following year's ceremony.{{Cite news |date=2022-11-15 |title=Grammy Awards 2023: The Full List of Nominees|work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/15/arts/music/grammys-nominee-list-2023.html |access-date=2022-11-15 |issn=0362-4331}} "My Universe" also debuted at number one in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making Coldplay the first British group in history to achieve the feat. "Let Somebody Go" was later released as the third official single on 7 February 2022. "Coloratura", "People of the Pride", "Biutyful" and a live version of "Humankind" were served as promotional singles.

Music of the Spheres received mixed reviews from critics, many of whom criticised the album's overtly pop sensibilities and style. "Coloratura" however was acclaimed for its lengthy, unconventional structure and production. The album was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, marking the band's third nomination in both categories. It became the first album of the 2020s to debut atop the UK Albums Chart with more than 100,000 units. To support the record, Coldplay embarked on the Music of the Spheres World Tour and released an accompanying concert film. It was the first volume of the Music of the Spheres series, the second being Moon Music (2024).Moon Music, Music of the Spheres Vol. II subtitle:

  • {{Cite web |title=Moon Music, main and alternate cover art revealed |url=https://x.com/coldplayxtra/status/1802661391343497717 |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=X}}

Background

The idea for a space-themed record had been envisioned by the band since 2010, when lead vocalist Chris Martin proposed a project of building "a solar system", as stated in a blog published by the band, named "Roadie #42".{{Cite news|date=2 April 2010|title=I'd Like You to Build a Solar System…|url=http://timeline.coldplay.com/article/roadie-42-blog-118/|url-status=live|access-date=10 October 2021|website=Coldplay Timeline|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225195012/https://timeline.coldplay.com/article/roadie-42-blog-118/}} This project eventually led to the creation of the universe for Coldplay's 2011 album Mylo Xyloto, which would go on to inspire the Music of the Spheres universe as well.{{Citation |title=Phil Harvey LIVE with ColdplayXtra – 8 Nov 2021 | date=15 November 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEjNrw6C5w8 |access-date=2022-04-09}}. 5:50 in the video. At the time Everyday Life was released, in November 2019, one of the hints was hidden within the bifold of the booklet of the physical vinyl and digibook editions of the album, in which a black and white billboard in a field advertises "Music of the Spheres". In the bottom left corner, smaller writing says "Coldplay coming soon".{{cite AV media notes|author=Coldplay|title=Everyday Life|year=2019|type=vinyl edition booklet|publisher=Parlophone}} This, combined with the band's history of teasers for future material, fueled speculation about Music of the Spheres's themes and release date.{{Cite web|date=7 May 2021|title=Coldplay launch new song Higher Power into the world from Space|url=https://www.contactmusic.com/coldplay/news/coldplay-launch-new-song-higher-power-into-the-world-from-space_6331738|access-date=6 August 2021|website=Contact Music|archive-date=6 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806180052/https://www.contactmusic.com/coldplay/news/coldplay-launch-new-song-higher-power-into-the-world-from-space_6331738|url-status=live}} Other hints to future material were purportedly hidden within song lyrics and music videos from the Everyday Life era.{{Cite web |last=Lavin |first=Will |date=6 February 2021 |title=Coldplay reportedly working on new album called 'Music Of The Spheres' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-reportedly-working-on-new-album-called-music-of-the-spheres-2874180 |access-date=15 October 2021 |website=NME |archive-date=29 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429120531/https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-reportedly-working-on-new-album-called-music-of-the-spheres-2874180 |url-status=live}}

Recording

According to bassist Guy Berryman, when the band "made [2019's] Everyday Life, we knew we weren't planning on touring it, so that directed the course of that album musically. The idea was always to follow that up with Music of the Spheres, which definitely would be toured. So the new album was created with one eye on the live performances. I think that shaped the overall energy levels and song selections for the album".{{Cite book |last=Salmon |first=Chris |title=Music of the Spheres World Tour |publisher=Parlophone |year=2023 |location=Amsterdam |pages=11–12}} The record was produced by Max Martin, whom the band called "a true wonder of the universe". Their first work together was in the single "Orphans".{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/orphans-arabesque-coldplay/pdw3skm2cep8a|title=Orphans / Arabesque|date=24 October 2019|people=Coldplay|publisher=Parlophone|access-date=26 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026005528/https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/orphans-arabesque-coldplay/pdw3skm2cep8a|archive-date=26 October 2019|url-status=live|format=digital download}} He met Chris during a Rihanna concert in Sweden in 2016 and they started to share potential about possible collaborations, with the rest of the band sharing the same feeling and considering him as a "new band member" for the album.{{Cite web|last=|title=Interview {{!}} Chris Martin talks Coldplay's latest single "Higher Power", Glastonbury Festival & MORE|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-fapoeNIv8|access-date=2 February 2022|website=YouTube|date=6 May 2021 |publisher=iHeartRadioCA}}

Chris stated Max was very involved on most of the creative process, helping to decide which songs would be chosen as well. He added that "just before 'Higher Power', I'd done a whole session with him auditioning songs for a potential album".{{Cite web|date=May 8, 2021|title=Chris Martin: 'The less you give a f**k about what anyone thinks, the more you're completely free'|url=https://www.music-news.com/news/UK/140357/Chris-Martin-The-less-you-give-a-f-k-about-what-anyone-thinks-the-more-you-re-completely-free|access-date=February 2, 2022|website=Music News}} Drummer Will Champion noted one of the reasons of feeling certain relief while working with Max "is that he is very conscious of not filling too many gaps", with Berryman further adding that a sound "will not be impressive by just adding another layer of sound and another layer of sound", comparing it to a mix of "too many colors together, [but] you always end up with brown".{{Cite news |date=October 14, 2021 |title=Coldplay's music gets galactic: Band experiment with waves of airy melodies for 'Music of the Spheres' |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/coldplays-music-gets-galactic-band-experiment-with-waves-of-airy-melodies-for-music-of-the-spheres/articleshow/87010573.cms |access-date=December 28, 2021 |website=The Economic Times}} They cited "Humankind" as an example, which was according to them was the hardest song to be recorded in the album, as the band "couldn't get the feel of it right until the end of the sessions".{{Cite web|last=@Coldplay|date=October 19, 2021|title=Humankind was probably the hardest song to record on the album, just because we couldn't quite get the feel of it right until the end of the sessions. And then suddenly it all clicked into place and now we're really excited to play it live. Jonny|url=https://twitter.com/coldplay/status/1450553467462901760|access-date=February 3, 2022|website=Twitter}}

Style and concept

Music of the Spheres has been described as pop,{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/coldplay-music-of-the-spheres/|title=Coldplay: Music of the Spheres Album Review|website=Pitchfork|last=Dombal|first=Ryan|date=15 October 2021|access-date=15 October 2021|archive-date=14 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014202523/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/coldplay-music-of-the-spheres/|url-status=live}} pop rock,{{cite magazine |last=Dolan |first=Jon |title=Coldplay Travel to Space and Redeem Humanity (Again) on 'Music of the Spheres' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/coldplay-music-spheres-1241021/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=15 October 2021 |date=15 October 2021 |archive-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016160006/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/coldplay-music-spheres-1241021/ |url-status=live}} synth-pop,{{Cite web|first=Saloni|last=Gajjar|date=15 October 2021|title=The only intriguing thing about Coldplay's Music Of The Spheres is the emoji song titles|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-only-intriguing-thing-about-coldplay-s-music-of-the-1847873494|access-date=14 December 2021|website=AV Club}} space rock,{{Cite web|first=Thomas|last=Smith|date=15 October 2021|title=Coldplay: "This is our period of having no fear"|url=https://www.nme.com/big-reads/coldplay-cover-interview-2021-music-of-the-spheres-3070999|access-date=15 October 2021|website=NME}} space music,{{Cite web|first=Mark|last=Kennedy|date=12 October 2021|title=Coldplay get galactic with airy album 'Music of the Spheres'|url=https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-chris-martin-new-york-music-arts-and-entertainment-306719596637cf388e8286d1da0c497f|access-date=18 October 2021|website=AP NEWS}} electropop,{{Cite web|first=Sara|last=London|date=14 October 2021|title=Review: Coldplay delights and disappoints on 'Music of the Spheres'|url=https://riffmagazine.com/album-reviews/coldplay-music-of-the-spheres/|access-date=14 December 2021|website=Riff Magazine}} soft rock, and ambient. Lead singer Chris Martin stated that the theme for the album was inspired by "wonder[ing] what musicians would be like across the universe" after watching the fictional Mos Eisley cantina band perform in Star Wars and making speculations in relation to outer space sounds.{{Cite web |last=Wheeler |first=Brad |date=4 October 2021 |title=A year of unexpected collaborations includes an intergalactic meeting of Coldplay and K-pop |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/article-a-year-of-unexpected-collaborations-includes-an-intergalactic-meeting/ |url-status=live |access-date=10 October 2021 |website=The Globe and Mail |archive-date=11 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011051707/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/article-a-year-of-unexpected-collaborations-includes-an-intergalactic-meeting/}}

The album is set in a fictional planetary system called The Spheres, which consists of nine planets, three natural satellites, one star and a nearby nebula. Each track on the album represents a celestial body from The Spheres. Following the album's track listing, they are: Neon Moon I ("Music of the Spheres"), Kaotica ("Higher Power"), Echo ("Humankind"), Kubik ("Alien Choir"), Calypso ("Let Somebody Go"), Supersolis ("Human Heart"), Ultra ("People of the Pride"), Floris ("Biutyful"), Neon Moon II ("Music of the Spheres II"), Epiphane ("My Universe"), Infinity Station ("Infinity Sign"), and Coloratura ("Coloratura"). Supersolis is the star at the centre of the system, and Coloratura is the Nebula. Each celestial body in The Spheres has its own language: EL 1 for Neon Moon I, Kaotican for Kaotica, Mirror Text for Echo, Qblok for Kubik, Aquamarine for Calypso, Supersolar for Supersolis, Voltik for Ultra, Bloom for Floris, EL 2 for Neon Moon II, Spheric for Epiphane, Infinitum for Infinity Station, and Coloraturan for Coloratura.{{Cite web|title="Everyone is an alien somewhere" – All 12 of Coldplay's new alien languages found on @alienradiofm|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/coldplayxtra/status/1417483407781736458|access-date=9 October 2021|website=Twitter|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016160003/https://mobile.twitter.com/coldplayxtra/status/1417483407781736458|url-status=live}} An unnamed natural satellite orbits Echo, while both Neon Moons orbit Epiphane.{{Cite web|title=Alien Radio – Music of the Spheres|url=https://www.alienradio.fm/|access-date=9 October 2021|website=Alien Radio FM|archive-date=9 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009100453/https://www.alienradio.fm/|url-status=live}} A lost planet named Aurora is also part of the system, and although no song on the album represents it, fans have theorised that the short instrumental "A Wave", which was played at the end of concerts during the first leg of the Music of the Spheres World Tour and would later appear on the Full Moon edition of Moon Music, is connected to it. The artwork featuring the planetary system was created by Pilar Zeta, who had worked on Coldplay's previous two albums Everyday Life and A Head Full of Dreams (2015).

File:Coldplay MOTS World Tour Press Release Photo 3 (cropped).png

Martin uses the planets as a canvas to explore the human experience: "It's really another record about life as a human person, but given this freedom that comes when you pretend it's about other creatures in other places".{{Cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Mark |date=12 October 2021 |title=Coldplay get galactic with airy album 'Music of the Spheres' |work=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-chris-martin-new-york-music-arts-and-entertainment-306719596637cf388e8286d1da0c497f |access-date=15 October 2021 |archive-date=13 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013223639/https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-chris-martin-new-york-music-arts-and-entertainment-306719596637cf388e8286d1da0c497f |url-status=live}} Drummer Will Champion stated that Everyday Life was about making big questions personal, while Music of the Spheres promoted more about the purpose of the band in relation to humanity and manmade demarcations, saying: "We historically as a band tend to fill space". The album was promoted with the words "Everyone is an alien somewhere", which, according to Champion, was about people looking to what unites them, not to what separates them, saying: "From the perspective from another planet, we would be the aliens. We searched the perspective where we are all equal".{{Cite web |date=17 October 2021 |title=Corné Klijn Interviewt Coldplay over Music of the Spheres |url=https://www.nporadio2.nl/nieuws/npo-radio-2/0fe416ae-a94a-4850-b524-d6adf9e91835/corne-klijn-interviewt-coldplay-over-music-of-the-spheres |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230225171253/https://www.nporadio2.nl/nieuws/npo-radio-2/0fe416ae-a94a-4850-b524-d6adf9e91835/corne-klijn-interviewt-coldplay-over-music-of-the-spheres |archive-date=25 February 2023 |access-date=25 February 2023 |website=NPO Radio 2}}

The fictional universe for Music of the Spheres is in part inspired by the universe created by the band for Mylo Xyloto, and, according to creative director Phil Harvey, features several references to it.{{Citation |title=Phil Harvey LIVE with ColdplayXtra – 8 Nov 2021 | date=15 November 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEjNrw6C5w8 |access-date=2022-04-09}}. 6:29 in the video. One of these references may be the appearance of the Mylo Xyloto "silencers" in the music video for "My Universe".{{Cite web |title=#MyUniverse music video calls back to the Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto era with the Silencers. Silencers' aim is to take sound and colour off the streets. |url=https://twitter.com/coldplayxtra/status/1443430976001089536 |access-date=2022-04-09 |website=Twitter}}

Promotion

On 23 April 2021, a post from an account titled 'Alien Radio FM' on social media released a set of coordinates (51°30'24.6"N 0°08'34.4"W) that led to Green Park in Piccadilly, London.{{Cite magazine |date=27 April 2021 |title=Coldplay Fans Think They've Deciphered the 'Alien Radio' Album Tease Mystery |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9563672/coldplay-alien-radio-album-tease/ |access-date=6 August 2021 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=6 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806181543/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9563672/coldplay-alien-radio-album-tease/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Coldplay tease "Alien Radio" project – New Single Coming May 7th|url=https://anglotopia.net/british-entertainment/british-music-british-entertainment/coldplay-tease-alien-radio-project-new-single-coming-may-7th/|access-date=6 August 2021|website=Anglotopia.net|date=30 April 2021 |archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016160004/https://anglotopia.net/british-entertainment/british-music-british-entertainment/coldplay-tease-alien-radio-project-new-single-coming-may-7th/|url-status=live}} The post included a photo of an advertisement at these coordinates with unknown bright neon purple characters set to a blue background. The characters were quickly decoded by fan sites and said "Coldplay Higher Power May Seven". Similar posts would follow, which all teased the lead single, "Higher Power".{{Cite web |last=Reilly |first=Nick |date=27 April 2021 |title=Coldplay tease new project 'Alien Radio' in mysterious social media clip |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-tease-new-project-alien-radio-in-mysterious-social-media-clip-2928760 |access-date=6 August 2021 |website=NME |archive-date=29 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429230841/https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-tease-new-project-alien-radio-in-mysterious-social-media-clip-2928760 |url-status=live}}

On 29 April, Coldplay confirmed on their main social media accounts that a new single called "Higher Power" would in fact be released on 7 May.{{Cite tweet|user=coldplay|number=1387784457424408582|title=Higher Power is a song that arrived on a little keyboard and a bathroom sink at the start of 2020. It was produced by Max Martin who is a true wonder of the universe. It's out on Friday 7 May. Love c, g, w & j|date=29 April 2021|access-date=29 April 2021}}{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=29 April 2021 |title=Coldplay Return With New Single, 'Higher Power,' Next Week |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/coldplay-new-single-higher-power-1234963158/ |access-date=29 April 2021 |website=Variety |archive-date=29 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429150320/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/coldplay-new-single-higher-power-1234963158/ |url-status=live}} Branded as a form of "extraterrestrial transmission", the band previewed the video to French European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet aboard the International Space Station prior to its public release.{{cite web|last1=Kiefer|first1=Halle|date=7 May 2021|title=Get Your Holograms Up and On Their Feet for Coldplay's New 'Higher Power' Music Video|url=https://www.vulture.com/2021/05/coldplay-drops-new-single-higher-power-music-video.html|access-date=7 May 2021|website=Vulture|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507032129/https://www.vulture.com/2021/05/coldplay-drops-new-single-higher-power-music-video.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Hussey |first=Allison |date=6 May 2021 |title=Listen to Coldplay's New Song "Higher Power" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-coldplays-new-song-higher-power/ |access-date=7 May 2021 |website=Pitchfork |archive-date=7 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507001305/https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-coldplays-new-song-higher-power/ |url-status=live}} Martin had stated that the theme for their upcoming music had been inspired by "wonder[ing] what musicians are like across the universe" after watching the fictional Mos Eisley cantina band perform in Star Wars.{{Cite web|date=10 June 2021|title=Chris Martin wants to perform Coldplay's 'Star Wars'-inspired new music on the moon|url=https://retropopmagazine.com/chris-martin-coldplays-star-wars-moon-space/|access-date=28 July 2021|website=Retro Pop|archive-date=28 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728023751/https://retropopmagazine.com/chris-martin-coldplays-star-wars-moon-space/|url-status=live}}

After the promotion cycle of "Higher Power" was done, Harvey teased a possible announcement on 19 July 2021.{{Cite web|title=Anyone who appreciates JB's guitar on TiT is my friend for life. Hope you guys are enjoying EL. Can't tell you how happy it makes us that you like that album. See you tomorrow PH #LunarWithColdplay|url=https://twitter.com/coldplay/status/1417188567009345542|url-status=live|access-date=20 July 2021|website=Twitter|archive-date=19 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719183523/https://twitter.com/coldplay/status/1417188567009345542}} During the next day, Coldplay revealed the album, its tracklist, and a trailer titled "Overtura" containing a snippet for each song. They also said that "Coloratura" would be released on 23 July, while the next official single would follow in September.{{Cite web|title=Love c, g, w & j (and p)|url=https://twitter.com/coldplay/status/1417501479263477770|url-status=live|access-date=20 July 2021|website=Twitter|archive-date=20 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720150958/https://twitter.com/coldplay/status/1417501479263477770}} On 13 September, Coldplay announced that their second single "My Universe" which features BTS, would be released on 24 September 2021.{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=13 September 2021 |title=Coldplay Is Teaming With BTS on 'My Universe' Single |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9628806/coldplay-bts-my-universe-single-announce/ |access-date=13 September 2021 |archive-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913154519/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9628806/coldplay-bts-my-universe-single-announce/ |url-status=live}} On 4 October 2021, Selena Gomez confirmed via Twitter that she is featured on "Let Somebody Go".{{Cite web |last=Krol |first=Charlotte |date=4 October 2021 |title=Coldplay confirm Selena Gomez collaboration on new song 'Let Somebody Go' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-have-collaborated-with-selena-gomez-on-new-song-let-somebody-go-3061735 |access-date=15 October 2021 |website=NME |archive-date=4 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004101255/https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-have-collaborated-with-selena-gomez-on-new-song-let-somebody-go-3061735 |url-status=live}}

On 1 October 2021, Coldplay announced a one-off album launch show at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, London,{{cite web | url=https://www.coldplay.com/london-album-launch-show-announced-for-october-12/ | title=London album launch show announced for October 12 }} in which they were introduced by Simon Pegg and joined on stage by Ed Sheeran, Fleur East and We Are King. Dakota Johnson was in attendance.{{cite web | url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/coldplay-review-tour-shepherds-bush-empire-live-show-music-of-the-spheres-1246317 | title=Coldplay's almighty, school-assembly singalong threatened to tear the roof off | date=13 October 2021 }} Later that week, on 7 October 2021, Coldplay announced that an album pop-up event for Music of the Spheres, entitled "The Atmospheres", would be held in four cities across the world (Berlin, London, New York and Tokyo) on 15 and 16 October. In each city, there was a "custom-built installation" that enabled fans to "be transported to The Spheres – the distant solar system that plays host to the band's latest album, where each of the twelve tracks is twinned with a different planet." During the event, fans had the opportunity to "create their own alien language messages, snap selfies in the augmented reality photo booth, and even help to power the experience through bespoke kinetic walkways." According to the band, the event was made possible by partnering with Amazon Music.{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Will |date=7 October 2021 |title=Coldplay announce immersive London event 'The Atmospheres' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-immersive-london-event-the-atmospheres-3064837 |access-date=15 October 2021 |website=NME |archive-date=8 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008032159/https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-immersive-london-event-the-atmospheres-3064837 |url-status=live}}

= World tour =

{{Main|Music of the Spheres World Tour|Impact of the Music of the Spheres World Tour|Coldplay – Music of the Spheres: Live at River Plate{{!}}Music of the Spheres: Live at River Plate}}

File:GuyBerrymanWembley160822 (cropped).jpg, London]]

On 14 October 2021, a day before the release of Music of the Spheres, Coldplay officially announced the Music of the Spheres World Tour in 2022 to promote the album.{{Cite web |date=14 October 2021 |title=MUSIC of the SPHERES World Tour announced |url=https://www.coldplay.com/music-of-the-spheres-world-tour-announced/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016160004/https://www.coldplay.com/music-of-the-spheres-world-tour-announced/ |archive-date=16 October 2021 |access-date=14 October 2021 |publisher=Coldplay}} The band had not toured for Everyday Life as they had decided to pause touring until they could work out how to ensure that it would be environmentally friendly. Alongside the announcement, they released a detailed plan setting out how they would ensure that the tour would have a minimal impact on the environment and would result in 50% less carbon dioxide generated than during the A Head Full of Dreams Tour. The plan was developed over two years by Coldplay and a number of leading environmental experts, and features a number of innovative sustainability strategies. For example, the band have joined forces with BMW to create the first "mobile, rechargeable show battery" to power each concert on the tour, and have announced that the tour's stage will be built from "a combination of lightweight, low-carbon and re-usable materials (including bamboo and recycled steel) that can be properly reused or recycled at the end of the tour". They have also pledged to plant one tree for every ticket sold.{{Cite web |date=14 October 2021 |title=Music of the Spheres World Tour – Sustainability Plan |url=https://sustainability.coldplay.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014121010/https://sustainability.coldplay.com/ |archive-date=14 October 2021 |access-date=14 October 2021 |website=Coldplay Sustainability}}

= Commercial singles =

"Higher Power" was released as the lead single on 7 May 2021. The song was produced by Max Martin, whom the band called "a true wonder of the universe".{{cite web|last1=Skinner|first1=Tom|date=5 May 2021|title=Coldplay to premiere 'Higher Power' with link-up to International Space Station|url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/coldplay-to-premiere-higher-power-with-link-up-to-international-space-station-2934460|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507002354/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/coldplay-to-premiere-higher-power-with-link-up-to-international-space-station-2934460|archive-date=7 May 2021|access-date=7 May 2021|website=NME}} The band stated in a tweet that "it arrived on a little keyboard and a bathroom sink at the start of 2020". An audio visualiser directed by Paul Dugdale premiered on Coldplay's YouTube channel at 12:01 a.m. BST on the same day.{{Cite web |last=Langford |first=Jackson |date=7 May 2021 |title=Listen to Coldplay's brand new single 'Higher Power' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-coldplays-brand-new-single-higher-power-2935292 |access-date=15 October 2021 |website=NME |archive-date=7 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007075743/https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-coldplays-brand-new-single-higher-power-2935292 |url-status=live}} The official music video, directed by Dave Meyers, was released on 8 June 2021, it features Chris exploring the fictional planet Kaotica.{{Cite magazine|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date=June 8, 2021|title=Coldplay Chill With Robot Dogs & Dancing Aliens in Futuristic 'Higher Power' Video|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/coldplay-higher-power-video-9584251/|access-date=February 2, 2022}}

"My Universe", a collaboration with South Korean pop group BTS, was released as the second single on 24 September 2021. The official music video, also directed by Meyers, was released on 30 September 2021. It features both groups performing the song alongside a fictional band named "Supernova 7" in different futuristic planets, set during an era where music is banned around the universe.{{cite web|last=Dongre|first=Divyansha|date=30 September 2021|title=Coldplay and BTS Unveil Galactic Music Video for 'My Universe'|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/coldplay-and-bts-unveil-galactic-music-video-for-my-universe/|access-date=2 February 2022|work=Rolling Stone India}} The track debuted at number one in Billboard Hot 100, which made Coldplay the first British group in history to achieve the feat.{{Cite magazine|title=Here Are All the Hits That Have Debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100|url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/426225/billboard-hot-100-number-1-song-debuts|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2021-10-05}} It was their second United States chart-topper and BTS' sixth.{{Cite web|last1=Trust|first1=Gary|date=4 October 2021|title=Coldplay & BTS' 'My Universe' Blasts Off at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9640332/coldplay-bts-my-universe-tops-billboard-hot-100|access-date=4 October 2021|website=Billboard}}

"Let Somebody Go", a collaboration with Selena Gomez, was released as the third single in the adult contemporary radio on 14 February 2022.{{Cite web|date=31 January 2022|title=Hot Modern AC Future Releases|url=https://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/future-releases|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131223242/https://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/future-releases|archive-date=31 January 2022|access-date=31 January 2022|website=AllAccess}} A music video was released a week prior, on 7 February 2022, once again being directed by Meyers.{{Cite web |date=7 February 2022 |title=Selena Gomez and Coldplay's Let Somebody Go Music Video is Heartbreaking and Trippy |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a39002539/selena-gomez-coldplay-let-somebody-go-music-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220617231346/https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a39002539/selena-gomez-coldplay-let-somebody-go-music-video/ |archive-date=17 June 2022 |access-date=17 June 2022 |website=Elle}}

= Promotional singles =

"Coloratura" was released on 23 July 2021 in anticipation for the album.{{Cite web |date=22 July 2021 |title=Time Is an Illusion on Coldplay's Ten-Minute Album Closer, 'Coloratura' |url=https://www.vulture.com/2021/07/time-is-an-illusion-on-coldplays-10-minute-coloratura.html |access-date=23 July 2021 |website=Vulture}} It is the longest song ever released by the band, running at 10 minutes and 18 seconds.

"People of the Pride" impacted American alternative rock radio stations on 8 March 2022,{{Cite web|date=1 February 2022|title=Alternative Rock Future Releases|url=https://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220201220437/https://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases|archive-date=1 February 2022|access-date=1 February 2022|website=AllAccess}} although Chris stated during an interview the song would not be marketed as an official single.{{Cite web |date=21 March 2022 |title=Coldplay En EXA República Dominicana |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvKMNz6f7HU&ab_channel=EXA96.9FM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718174159/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvKMNz6f7HU&ab_channel=EXA96.9FM |archive-date=18 July 2022 |access-date=18 July 2022 |via=YouTube}} Its lyrics explore themes of human politics and is inspired by empowerment movements.{{Cite web |date=15 October 2021 |title=Coldplay: "This is our period of having no fear" |url=https://www.nme.com/big-reads/coldplay-cover-interview-2021-music-of-the-spheres-3070999 |access-date=1 February 2022 |website=NME}} A music video was directed by Paul Dugdale and released on 15 March 2022.{{Cite magazine |date=15 March 2022 |title=Coldplay Reveal Revolution Bubbling Under the Surface in People of the Pride Video |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/coldplay-people-of-the-pride-video-1321356/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220617234713/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/coldplay-people-of-the-pride-video-1321356/ |archive-date=17 June 2022 |access-date=17 June 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}

A live version of "Humankind" was released as a charity single on 22 April 2022 through Bandcamp for Earth Day 2022, with royalties being donated to EarthPercent, a charity supporting numerous organizations working to help tackle the climate crisis.{{Cite web |date=22 April 2022 |title=Humankind (Live in Mexico City) for EarthPercent x Earth Day |url=https://www.coldplay.com/humankind-live-in-mexico-city-for-earthpercent-x-earth-day/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711142150/https://www.coldplay.com/humankind-live-in-mexico-city-for-earthpercent-x-earth-day/ |archive-date=11 July 2022 |access-date=11 July 2022 |publisher=Coldplay}} The music video was directed by Stevie Rae Gibbs and Marcus Haney, being released on 17 August 2022 to further promote the Music of the Spheres World Tour.{{Cite magazine |date=17 August 2022 |title=Coldplay Break Out the Fireworks for Euphoric Humankind Video |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/coldplay-humankind-music-video-1398070/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818022614/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/coldplay-humankind-music-video-1398070/ |archive-date=18 August 2022 |access-date=18 August 2022}} On 16 September 2022, the song was then released as a promotional single in Italian and Dutch radio stations serving the same purpose.{{Cite web |date=17 September 2022 |title=Coldplay – Humankind (Radio Date: 16/09/2022) |url=https://radiodate.it/radio-date/coldplay-humankind-234106-16-09-2022-radiodate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220917022516/https://radiodate.it/radio-date/coldplay-humankind-234106-16-09-2022-radiodate/ |archive-date=17 September 2022 |access-date=17 September 2022 |website=Airplay Control |language=it}}

"Biutyful" was made available as a promotional single on 6 July 2022 along with a video directed by Mat Whitecross.{{Cite magazine |date=6 July 2022 |title=Coldplay Features Puppet Band The Weirdos In New Biutyful Video |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/coldplay-weirdos-drop-biutyful-1378386/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220707023142/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/coldplay-weirdos-drop-biutyful-1378386/ |archive-date=7 July 2022 |access-date=7 July 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}

Critical reception

= Reviews =

{{Music ratings

| ADM = 5.0/10{{Cite web |title=Music Of The Spheres by Coldplay reviews |url=http://anydecentmusic.com/review/13051/Coldplay-Music-Of-The-Spheres.aspx |access-date=15 October 2021 |website=AnyDecentMusic? |archive-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016160006/http://anydecentmusic.com/review/13051/Coldplay-Music-Of-The-Spheres.aspx |url-status=live}}

| MC = 55/100

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}

| rev2 = Clash

| rev2score = 5/10{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Robin |date=15 October 2021 |title=Coldplay – Music Of The Spheres |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/coldplay-music-of-the-spheres |access-date=19 October 2021 |website=Clash}}

| rev3 = The Daily Telegraph

| rev3score = {{Rating|3|5}}

| rev4 = Financial Times

| rev4score = {{Rating|2|5}}

| rev5 = The Guardian

| rev5score = {{Rating|2|5}}

| rev6 = The Independent

| rev6score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Helen |date=14 October 2021 |title=Coldplay's new album is a superficial spiritual shower – review |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/coldplay-review-music-of-the-spheres-b1937658.html |access-date=15 October 2021 |website=The Independent |archive-date=14 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014123528/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/coldplay-review-music-of-the-spheres-b1937658.html |url-status=live}}

| rev7 = NME

| rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/coldplay-music-of-the-spheres-review-3070711|title=Coldplay – 'Music Of The Spheres' review: world-conquering pop group reaches for the stars|work=NME|last=Daly|first=Rhian|date=15 October 2021|access-date=15 October 2021|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016003258/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/coldplay-music-of-the-spheres-review-3070711|url-status=live}}

| rev8 = Pitchfork

| rev8score = 5.1/10

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9score = {{Rating|3|5}}

| rev10 = The Times

| rev10score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{Cite news |last=Hodgkinson |first=Will |author-link=Will Hodgkinson |date=14 October 2021 |title=Coldplay: Music of the Spheres review – fluff from a band who lost their way |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/coldplay-music-of-the-spheres-review-7p22j29gh |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=15 October 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211014202058/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coldplay-music-of-the-spheres-review-7p22j29gh |archive-date=14 October 2021}}

}}

Music of the Spheres received generally mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 55 based on 18 reviews, which indicates "mixed or average reviews".{{Cite web |title=Music of the Spheres by Coldplay Reviews and Tracks |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/music-of-the-spheres/coldplay |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=Metacritic |archive-date=14 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014192829/https://www.metacritic.com/music/music-of-the-spheres/coldplay |url-status=live}} Ludovic Hunter-Tilney of the Financial Times gave the album two stars out of five, praising its cheerful lyrics but criticising its superficial feeling.{{Cite web |last=Hunter-Tilney |first=Ludovic |date=13 October 2021 |title=Coldplay are at their happiest and clappiest on Music of the Spheres |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b38800d1-9a3d-4fac-a0d2-3c4c29d226dc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211015164459/https://www.ft.com/content/b38800d1-9a3d-4fac-a0d2-3c4c29d226dc |archive-date=15 October 2021 |access-date=13 October 2021 |website=Financial Times}} This sentiment was echoed by Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph, which called the album a "giddy sugar rush" and gave it three stars out of five.{{Cite web |last=McCormick |first=Neil |author-link=Neil McCormick |date=13 October 2021 |title=Coldplay: Music of the Spheres, review: like a zero-gravity soft play area full of puppy dogs |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/coldplay-music-spheres-review-like-zero-gravity-soft-play-area/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211014120956/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/coldplay-music-spheres-review-like-zero-gravity-soft-play-area/ |archive-date=14 October 2021 |access-date=13 October 2021 |website=The Daily Telegraph}} Alexis Petridis of The Guardian also gave the album two stars out of five, calling its pop tones a "desperate" attempt by the band to stay on top of the record charts.{{cite news |author=Petridis, Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis |title=Coldplay: Music of the Spheres review – slipping status prompts a desperate pop pivot |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/14/coldplay-music-of-the-spheres-review-bts-selena-gomez |access-date=15 October 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=14 October 2021 |archive-date=14 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014144707/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/14/coldplay-music-of-the-spheres-review-bts-selena-gomez |url-status=live}} Rhian Daly of NME gave the album four stars out of five and declared that "While Music of the Spheres feels like quintessential Coldplay, there are some more surprising moments buried in its tracklist", citing the songs "People of the Pride" and "Infinity Sign" as examples.

Neil Z. Yeung from AllMusic also gave the album four stars out of five, deeming it the band's "most unabashedly pop-centric and optimistic album to date.{{cite web |last=Yeung |first=Neil Z. |title=Music of the Spheres – Coldplay |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/music-of-the-spheres-mw0003559619 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016160018/https://www.allmusic.com/album/music-of-the-spheres-mw0003559619 |archive-date=16 October 2021 |access-date=15 October 2021 |website=AllMusic}} He elaborated that "This sci-fi concept piece is the spiritual successor to technicolor predecessors Mylo Xyloto and A Head Full of Dreams – outpacing both with its sharp focus and lean runtime – while maintaining the boundary-pushing energy heard on the Kaleidoscope EP and Everyday Life".

Conversely, the track "Coloratura" was universally praised. AllMusic's Neil Z. Yeung stated "while they typically end their albums on a grand, uplifting note, ["Coloratura"] takes the prize for ambition and sheer beauty". Ella Kemp, writing for Rolling Stone UK, said the song "might be the most dazzling thing Coldplay have ever done, a sprawling Pink Floyd-esque experiment which pays off infinitely".{{Cite magazine |last=Kemp |first=Ella |date=October–November 2021 |title=Coldplay Keep Their Magic Formula |url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FAixEj6XEAUDqW0?format=jpg&name=large |magazine=Rolling Stone UK |issue=1 |page=170}} Will Hodgkinson of The Times called it as a "forward-thinking vision of a melodic utopia with shades of Pink Floyd at their most hopeful". Jeremy Levine of PopMatters praised the track "plenty of structural risks that allow it to achieve a surprising level of intimacy. It's still a little lyrically over-the-top, but the variations in tone, as well as the climactic use of the band's retro instrumentation, leave us with at least one flicker of Coldplay's brilliance".{{Cite web |last=Levine |first=Jeremy |date=20 October 2021 |title=COLDPLAY DON'T REACH THE HEART ON AMBITIOUS 'MUSIC OF THE SPHERES' |url=https://www.popmatters.com/coldplay-music-of-spheres-review |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=PopMatters}} Ludovic Hunter-Tilney of the Financial Times felt the album's concept "only really registers" on "Coloratura", praising the elaborate orchestrations and "more sophisticated lyrics than the gaucheries of the previous songs". Paolo Ragusa of Consequence agreed, saying the song "really flesh out what the record is supposed to sound like: sprawling, odd, and unique".{{Cite web |last=Ragusa |first=Paolo |date=15 October 2021 |title=Coldplay's Music of the Spheres Is Completely Oblivious to Its Own Plight |url=https://consequence.net/2021/10/music-of-the-spheres-coldplay-album-review/ |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=Consequence}} Bobby Olivier of Spin, however, felt it was "overlong",{{Cite web |last=Olivier |first=Bobby |date=14 October 2021 |title=Coldplay's Music of the Spheres Mixes Anthems With Space Junk |url=https://www.spin.com/2021/10/coldplay-music-of-the-spheres-album-review/ |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=Spin}} while David Cobbald of The Line of Best Fit said it "lacks a sense of originality, as all of emotions and lyrics have in way appeared in their music previously".{{Cite web |last=Cobbald |first=David |date=15 October 2021 |title=Coldplay's Music Of The Spheres is a swing and a miss |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/coldplay-music-of-the-spheres-album-review |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=The Line of Best Fit}}

= Year-end lists =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"

|+Music of the Spheres on select year-end lists

! scope="col" |Publisher

! scope="col" |Listicle

! scope="col" |Rank

! scope="col" class="unsortable" |{{Abbr|Ref.|References}}

scope="row" |{{Sort|Courier|The Courier}}

| style="text-align:left;" |Top 5 Favorite Albums of 2021

| 5

| {{Cite web |date=13 December 2021 |title=Top Five Favorite Albums of 2021 |url=https://codcourier.org/top-five-favorite-albums-of-2021/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421042811/https://codcourier.org/top-five-favorite-albums-of-2021/ |archive-date=21 April 2024 |access-date=21 April 2024 |website=The Courier }}

scope="row" |Esquire Spain

| style="text-align:left;" |{{Sort|Best Albums of 2021|The Best Albums of 2021}}

| 41

| {{Cite web |date=1 December 2021 |title=Los Mejores Discos de 2021 |trans-title=The Best Albums of 2021 |url=https://www.esquire.com/es/actualidad/musica/g36995943/mejores-discos-2021/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421040930/https://www.esquire.com/es/actualidad/musica/g36995943/mejores-discos-2021/ |archive-date=21 April 2024 |access-date=21 April 2024 |website=Esquire |language=es }}

scope="row" |Europe 2

| style="text-align:left;" |{{Sort|10 Best Albums of 2021|The 10 Best Albums of 2021}}

| Placed

| {{Cite web |date=9 December 2021 |title=Adele, Silk Sonic, Coldplay... Les 10 Meilleurs Albums de 2021 |trans-title=Adele, Silk Sonic, Coldplay... The 10 Best Albums of 2021 |url=https://www.europe2.fr/musique/adele-silk-sonic-coldplay-les-10-meilleurs-albums-de-2021-53161.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421075655/https://www.europe2.fr/musique/adele-silk-sonic-coldplay-les-10-meilleurs-albums-de-2021-53161.html |archive-date=21 April 2024 |access-date=21 April 2024 |website=Europe 2 |language=fr }}

scope="row" |G1

| style="text-align:left;" |Most Important Albums of 2021

| Placed

| {{Cite web |date=24 December 2021 |title=De Olivia Rodrigo a Pabllo Vittar: 11 Álbuns para Entender 2021 |trans-title=From Olivia Rodrigo To Pabllo Vittar: 11 Albums to Understand 2021 |url=https://g1.globo.com/pop-arte/musica/noticia/2021/12/24/de-olivia-rodrigo-a-pabllo-vittar-11-albuns-para-entender-2021-ouca-podcasts-e-veja-reviews.ghtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421215601/https://g1.globo.com/pop-arte/musica/noticia/2021/12/24/de-olivia-rodrigo-a-pabllo-vittar-11-albuns-para-entender-2021-ouca-podcasts-e-veja-reviews.ghtml |archive-date=21 April 2024 |access-date=21 April 2024 |website=G1 |language=pt}}

scope="row" |Los 40

| style="text-align:left;" |{{Sort|40 Best Albums of 2021|The 40 Best Albums of 2021}}

| 5

| {{Cite web |date=27 December 2021 |title=Los 40 Mejores Discos de 2021 Según la Redacción de Los40 |trans-title=The 40 Best Albums of 2021 According to the Los 40 Staff |url=https://los40.com/los40/2021/12/26/musica/1640343198_483351.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421040911/https://los40.com/los40/2021/12/26/musica/1640343198_483351.html |archive-date=21 April 2024 |access-date=21 April 2024 |website=Los40 |language=es }}

scope="row" |Uproxx

| style="text-align:left;" |{{Sort|Best Pop Albums of 2021|The Best Pop Albums of 2021}}

| Placed

| {{Cite web |date=3 December 2021 |title=The Best Pop Albums of 2021 |url=https://uproxx.com/pop/best-pop-albums-2021/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421041958/https://uproxx.com/pop/best-pop-albums-2021/ |archive-date=21 April 2024 |access-date=21 April 2024 |website=Uproxx }}

scope="row" |Yahoo!

| style="text-align:left;" |Jen Kucsak's Best Albums of 2021

| 4

| {{Cite web |date=20 December 2021 |title=Japanese Breakfast, Silk Sonic, Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X and More: Yahoo Entertainment Staff Picks for Best Albums of 2021 |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/yahoo-entertainment-staff-picks-for-best-albums-of-2021-225348499.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421031412/https://www.yahoo.com/web/20240421031412/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/yahoo-entertainment-staff-picks-for-best-albums-of-2021-225348499.html |archive-date=21 April 2024 |access-date=21 April 2024 |website=Yahoo! }}

Accolades

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

|+Awards and nominations for Music of the Spheres

! scope="col" |Year

! scope="col" |Ceremony

! scope="col" |Category

! scope="col" |Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable" |{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

rowspan="4" scope="rowgroup" style="text-align:center;" |2022

| American Music Awards

| Favorite Rock Album

| {{Nominated}}

| style="text-align:center;" |{{Cite magazine |date=20 November 2022 |title=Here Are All The 2022 AMAs Winners |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-amas-winners-list-1235174393/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221121112543/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-amas-winners-list-1235174393/ |archive-date=21 November 2022 |access-date=21 November 2022 |magazine=Billboard}}

Billboard Music Awards

| Top Rock Album

| {{Nominated}}

| style="text-align:center;" |{{Cite magazine |date=8 April 2022 |title=The Weeknd & Doja Cat Lead 2022 Billboard Music Awards Finalists: Full List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-billboard-music-award-nominations-bbma-1235056949/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220408212452/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-billboard-music-award-nominations-bbma-1235056949/ |archive-date=8 April 2022 |access-date=8 April 2022 |magazine=Billboard}}

Hungarian Music Awards

| International Alternative or Rock Album of the Year

| {{Nominated}}

| style="text-align:center;" |{{Cite web |date=28 March 2022 |title=Jelöltek 2022 |trans-title=Nominess 2022 |url=https://fonogram.hu/jeloltek |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328204053/https://fonogram.hu/jeloltek |archive-date=28 March 2022 |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=Fonogram |language=hu}}

Žebřík Music Awards

| Best Foreign Album

| {{Nominated}}

| style="text-align:center;" |{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Nominace za rok 2021 na Zahraniční Scéně |trans-title=Nominations for 2021 on the Foreign Scene |url=https://www.anketazebrik.cz/nominace/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320053207/https://www.anketazebrik.cz/nominace/ |archive-date=20 March 2022 |access-date=24 December 2022 |website=Anketa Žebřík |language=cs}}

  • {{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Vysledky 2021 |trans-title=Results 2021 |url=https://www.anketazebrik.cz/vysledky/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220418173553/https://www.anketazebrik.cz/vysledky/ |archive-date=18 April 2022 |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=Anketa Žebřík |language=cs}}
rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup" style="text-align:center;" |2023

| rowspan="2" |Grammy Awards

| Album of the Year

| {{Nominated}}

| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |{{Cite web |date=15 November 2022 |title=Grammy Nominations 2023: See the Full List Here |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/grammy-nominations-2023-see-the-full-list-here/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201124309/https://pitchfork.com/news/grammy-nominations-2023-see-the-full-list-here/ |archive-date=1 December 2022 |access-date=1 December 2022 |website=Pitchfork}}

Best Pop Vocal Album

| {{Nominated}}

Commercial performance

Music of the Spheres debuted atop the UK Albums Chart with 101,045 units sold,{{Cite web |date=22 October 2021 |title=Coldplay's Music of the Spheres Tops 100k First-week Sales |url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/coldplay-s-music-of-the-spheres-tops-100k-first-week-sales/084441 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815150637/https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/coldplay-s-music-of-the-spheres-tops-100k-first-week-sales/084441 |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=15 August 2022 |website=Music Week}} becoming Coldplay's ninth number-one and the first release of the 2020s to move over 100,000 units in a week across the country.{{Cite web|date=22 October 2021|title=Coldplay claim fastest-selling album of 2021 so far with Music of the Spheres|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/coldplay-claim-fastest-selling-album-of-2021-so-far-with-music-of-the-spheres__34284/|access-date=22 October 2021|website=Official Charts Company}} It also reached number four on the US Billboard 200 by shifting 57,000 units, making it their eighth Top 10 album.{{Cite magazine |date=24 October 2021 |title=Young Thug's Punk Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/young-thugs-punk-number-one-billboard-200-chart/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250502234245/https://www.billboard.com/pro/young-thugs-punk-number-one-billboard-200-chart/ |archive-date=2 May 2025 |access-date=2 May 2025 |magazine=Billboard}} In France, the band topped the chart for a sixth time, with 15,908 units.{{Cite web |date=22 October 2021 |title=Coldplay Numéro Un des Ventes en France Avec L'Album Music of the Spheres |trans-title=Coldplay Number One in Sales in France with the Album Music of the Spheres |url=https://www.chartsinfrance.net/Coldplay/news-119168.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250502235321/https://www.chartsinfrance.net/Coldplay/news-119168.html |archive-date=2 May 2025 |access-date=2 May 2025 |website=Pure Charts |language=fr}} Four songs from Music of the Spheres appeared on South Korea's Gaon Download Chart simultaneously, including non-single "People of the Pride".{{cite web |title=Download Chart – Week 42 of 2021 |url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=42&hitYear=2021&termGbn=week&yearTime=3 |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=Gaon Chart |language=ko}} According to Music Week, the record was among the United Kingdom's main contributors to the increase of CD sales in 2021, along with Adele's 30, Ed Sheeran's = and ABBA's Voyage.{{Cite web|date=2021-12-07|title=ABBA, Adele and Ed Sheeran cause 15 per cent increase in CD sales|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/abba-adele-and-ed-sheeran-cause-15-per-cent-increase-in-cd-sales-3113086|access-date=2021-12-09|website=NME}} It became the fifth best-selling album of the year in cassette and the 15th best-selling on vinyl as well.{{Cite web |date=5 January 2022 |title=The Official Top 40 Best-Selling Cassettes of 2021 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-best-selling-cassettes-of-2021__34879/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613221344/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-best-selling-cassettes-of-2021__34879/ |archive-date=13 June 2022 |access-date=15 August 2022 |website=Official Charts Company}}

  • {{Cite web |date=5 January 2022 |title=The Official Top 40 Best-Selling Vinyl Albums and Singles of 2021 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-best-selling-vinyl-albums-and-singles-of-2021__34878/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721192849/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-best-selling-vinyl-albums-and-singles-of-2021__34878/ |archive-date=21 July 2022 |access-date=15 August 2022 |website=Official Charts Company}}

Track listing

{{Track listing

| headline = Music of the Spheres – standard edition track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title_width = 23%

| writing_width = 35%

| extra_width = 40%

| title1 = Music of the Spheres

| writer1 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Max Martin|Rik Simpson|Dan Green|Federico Vindver|Bill Rahko}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Martin|Oscar Holter|Rahko|Simpson|Green|Vindver}}

| length1 = 0:53

| title2 = Higher Power

| writer2 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Vindver|Denise Carite}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Simpson|Green}}

| length2 = 3:26

| title3 = Humankind

| writer3 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Vindver|Green|Jon Hopkins|Holter|Stephen Fry}}

| extra3 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Green|Vindver|Hopkins}}

| length3 = 4:26

| title4 = Alien Choir

| writer4 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Hopkins}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|Martin|Rahko|Hopkins}}

| length4 = 0:53

| title5 = Let Somebody Go

| note5 = with Selena Gomez

| writer5 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Apple Martin|Olivia Waithe|Holter|Rahko|Leland Wayne}}

| extra5 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Simpson|Green|Hopkins|Metro Boomin}}

| length5 = 4:01

| title6 = Human Heart

| writer6 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Collier|Paris Strother|Amber Strother}}

| note6 = with We Are King and Jacob Collier

| extra6 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Collier|We Are King}}

| length6 = 3:08

| title7 = People of the Pride

| length7 = 3:37

| writer7 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Rahko|Derek Dixie|Samuel Falson|Jesse Rogg}}

| extra7 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Simpson|Green}}

| title8 = Biutyful

| length8 = 3:12

| writer8 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Holter|Davide Rossi}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Simpson|Green|Angel Lopez|Vindver}}

| title9 = Music of the Spheres II

| writer9 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin}}

| length9 = 0:21

| extra9 = {{hlist|Martin|Rahko}}

| title10 = My Universe

| note10 = with BTS

| writer10 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Suga|J-Hope|RM}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Simpson|Green}}

| length10 = 3:46

| title11 = Infinity Sign

| length11 = 3:46

| writer11 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Hopkins}}

| extra11 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Simpson|Green|Hopkins}}

| title12 = Coloratura

| writer12 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|P. Strother|John Metcalfe|Rossi}}

| extra12 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko}}

| length12 = 10:17

| total_length = 41:50

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Music of the Spheres – Japanese edition bonus tracks

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title_width = 23%

| writing_width = 35%

| extra_width = 40%

| title13 = Higher Power

| note13 = acoustic version

| writer13 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Vindver|Carite}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Simpson|Green}}

| length13 = 3:34

| title14 = Higher Power

| note14 = Tiësto remix

| writer14 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Vindver|Carite}}

| extra14 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Simpson|Green|Tiësto}}

| length14 = 3:49

| total_length = 49:13

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Music of the Spheres – digital deluxe edition bonus tracks

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title_width = 23%

| writing_width = 35%

| extra_width = 40%

| title13 = Higher Power

| note13 = acoustic version

| writer13 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Vindver|Carite}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Simpson|Green}}

| length13 = 3:34

| title14 = My Universe

| note14 = acoustic version

| writer14 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Suga|J-Hope|RM}}

| extra14 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Simpson|Green}}

| length14 = 3:43

| title15 = My Universe

| note15 = Supernova 7 mix

| writer15 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Suga|J-Hope|RM}}

| extra15 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Simpson|Green}}

| length15 = 4:39

| title16 = My Universe

| note16 = Suga's remix

| writer16 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Suga|J-Hope|RM}}

| extra16 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Simpson|Green}}

| length16 = 3:08

| title17 = My Universe

| note17 = orchestral mix

| writer17 = {{hlist|Coldplay|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Suga|J-Hope|RM}}

| extra17 = {{hlist|Martin|Holter|Rahko|Simpson|Green}}

| length17 = 4:19

| total_length = 61:13

}}

Notes

  • "Music of the Spheres" is stylised as "15px" and occasionally rendered as "Music of the Spheres I".For "Music of the Spheres I" see:
  • {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HCCTVGlTOg|title=Coldplay – Music of the Spheres I – Official visualiser|publisher=Coldplay Official|website=YouTube|date=14 October 2021 |accessdate=18 October 2021}}
  • {{cite web|url=https://www.ibs.it/music-of-spheres-cd-coldplay/e/0190296666988#cc-anchor-brani|title=Coldplay – Music of the Spheres|website=IBS|accessdate=18 October 2021}}
  • "Alien Choir" is stylised as "15px".
  • "Human Heart" is stylised as "15px".
  • "Music of the Spheres II" is stylised as "15px".
  • "Infinity Sign" is stylised as "15px".

Sample credits

Personnel

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

Coldplay

  • Chris Martin – lead vocals, guitars, piano, keyboards, rhythm guitar {{Small|(track 7)}}
  • Jonny Buckland – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals {{Small|(track 11)}}, percussion {{Small|(track 7)}}
  • Guy Berryman – bass guitar, percussion {{Small|(track 7)}}, keyboards
  • Will Champion – drums, percussion, keyboards, backing vocals, programming {{Small|(track 7)}}

Additional vocalists

  • Max Martin – backing vocals {{Small|(track 2, 10, 12)}}
  • Denise Carite – choir vocalist {{Small|(track 2)}}
  • Bill Rahko – additional vocals {{Small|(track 2, 10)}}
  • Apple Martin – additional vocals {{Small|(track 2)}}
  • Stevie Mackey – choir vocalist {{Small|(track 2)}}
  • Dorian Holley – choir vocalist {{Small|(track 2)}}
  • Neka Hamilton – choir vocalist {{Small|(track 2)}}
  • Selena Gomez – vocals {{Small|(track 5)}}
  • We Are King – vocals {{Small|(track 6)}}
  • Jin – vocals {{Small|(track 10)}}
  • Suga – vocals {{Small|(track 10)}}
  • J-Hope – vocals {{Small|(track 10)}}
  • RM – vocals {{Small|(track 10)}}
  • Jimin – vocals {{Small|(track 10)}}
  • V – vocals {{Small|(track 10)}}
  • Jungkook – vocals {{Small|(track 10)}}
  • Amber Strother – additional vocals {{Small|(track 10)}}
  • Jacob Collier – additional vocals {{Small|(track 6, 10)}}
  • Tate McDowell – additional vocals {{Small|(track 10)}}
  • Rik Simpson – additional vocals {{Small|(track 12)}}

Additional musicians

  • Max Martin – keyboards, additional keyboards {{Small|(track 2, 10, 12)}}
  • Federico Vindver – keyboards {{Small|(track 2)}}
  • Oscar Holter – guitar, keyboards {{Small|(track 2, 10, 12)}}
  • Bill Rahko – keyboards, theremin {{Small|(track 10, 12)}}
  • Dan Green – keyboards {{Small|(track 10)}}
  • Davide Rossi – strings {{Small|(track 12)}}
  • John Metcalfe – strings {{Small|(track 12)}}
  • Jon Hopkins – keyboards {{Small|(track 12)}}
  • Paris Strother – synthesizer {{Small|(track 12)}}
  • Rik Simpson – additional keyboards {{Small|(track 12)}}

Production

  • Max Martin – production and programming
  • Oscar Holter – production and programming
  • Bill Rahko – production and programming
  • Pdogg – vocal recording engineering, production engineering
  • Rik Simpson – additional production
  • Dan Green – additional production and programming
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing engineer
  • Randy Merrill – mastering engineer
  • John Hanes – engineering
  • Michael Ilbert – engineering
  • Connor Panayi – assistant engineering
  • Duncan Fuller – assistant engineering
  • Karl-Ola Kjellholm – assistant engineering
  • Linn Fijal – assistant engineering
  • Tate McDowell – assistant engineering
  • Love Choir – choir arrangement
  • The Dream Team – additional production
  • Miguel Lara – engineering
  • Emma Marks – engineering assistant
  • Duncan Fuller – engineering assistant
  • Cherif Hashizume – additional programmer

Artwork and design

{{Div col end}}

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

= Weekly charts =

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Weekly chart performance for Music of the Spheres

! scope="col" |Chart (2021)

! scope="col" |Peak
position

scope="row" |Argentine Albums (CAPIF){{cite web|url=https://www.diariodecultura.com.ar/rankings/los-discos-mas-vendidos-de-la-semana-3/|title=Los discos más vendidos de la semana|work=Diario de Cultura|publisher=Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers|accessdate=9 November 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109233906/https://www.diariodecultura.com.ar/rankings/los-discos-mas-vendidos-de-la-semana-3/|archivedate=9 November 2021}}

| 2

{{Album chart|Australia|1|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=24 October 2021}}
{{Album chart|Austria|2|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=26 October 2021}}
{{Album chart|Flanders|1|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=24 October 2021}}
{{Album chart|Wallonia|1|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=24 October 2021}}
{{Album chart|BillboardCanada|2|artist=Coldplay|rowheader=true|access-date=26 October 2021}}
scope="row" |Croatian International Albums (HDU){{cite web|url=http://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-43-tjedan-2021/|title=Lista prodaje 43. tjedan 2021. (18 October 2021. - 24 October 2021.)|date=29 October 2021|publisher=Top Lista HR|language=hr|access-date=3 November 2021}}

| 1

{{Album chart|Czech|1|date=202142|rowheader=true|access-date=25 October 2021}}
{{Album chart|Denmark|6|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=10 November 2021}}
{{Album chart|Netherlands|1|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=23 October 2021}}
{{Album chart|Finland|4|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=24 October 2021}}
{{Album chart|France|1|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=31 October 2021}}
{{Album chart|Germany4|2|id=483965|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=22 October 2021}}
scope="row" |Greek Albums (IFPI Greece){{cite web|title=Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Combined) – Week 47/2021|url=https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_en.html|url-status=live|archive-date=7 December 2021|access-date=6 December 2021|publisher=IFPI Greece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207142318/https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_en.html}}

| 8

scope="row" | Hong Kong Albums (HKRMA){{cite web |title=This week's sales list of the Hong Kong Sales Chart |url=https://www.facebook.com/stupidmusichk/posts/pfbid037pgTuQ22M6vbvvwnM9arJX48YhhuNGCRop89GR91cZaeHDc7vSb4BdhJUC6EN1gbl |access-date=13 May 2025 |language=zh |via=Facebook |date=30 October 2021}}

| 3

{{Album chart|Hungary|4|year=2021|week=42|rowheader=true|access-date=28 October 2021}}
scope="row" |Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn){{cite web|url=https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/|title=Tónlistinn – Plötur – Vika 43 – 2021|publisher=Plötutíðindi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031140756/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/|language=is|trans-title=The Music – Albums – Week 43 – 2021|archive-date=31 October 2021|access-date=29 November 2021}}

| 24

{{Album chart|Ireland3|1|date=20211022|rowheader=true|access-date=22 October 2021}}
{{Album chart|Italy|4|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=24 October 2021}}
{{Album chart|Oricon|13|date=2021-10-25|rowheader=true|access-date=20 October 2021}}
scope="row" |Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan){{cite web|url=http://billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2021&month=10&day=25|title=Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2021/10/20 公開|website=Billboard Japan|language=ja|access-date=20 October 2021}}

| 10

scope="row" |Japanese International Albums (Oricon){{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/wa/w/2021-11-01/ |title=Oricon Top 50 International Albums: 2021-11-01 |publisher=Oricon |access-date=9 November 2021}}

| 6

scope="row" |Lithuanian Albums (AGATA){{cite web|url=https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/42s/|title=2021 42-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)|language=Lithuanian|publisher=AGATA|date=22 October 2021|access-date=22 October 2021}}

| 8

{{Album chart|New Zealand|2|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=24 October 2021}}
{{Album chart|Norway|2|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=10 November 2021}}
{{Album chart|Poland|5|id=1399|rowheader=true|access-date=28 October 2021}}
{{Album chart|Portugal|1|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=10 November 2021}}
{{Album chart|Scotland|1|date=20211022|rowheader=true|access-date=23 October 2021}}
scope="row" |Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI){{cite web|url=http://hitparada.ifpicr.cz/|title=Slovak Albums – Top 100.|publisher=ČNS IFPI|access-date=25 October 2021}} Note: On the chart page, select SK – Albums – Top 100 under the left field and "202142" on the field besides the word "Zobrazit", and then click over the word to retrieve the correct chart data.

| 1

scope="row"| South Korean Retail Albums (Gaon){{cite web|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/retail.circle?termGbn=week&yyyymmdd=20211017 |title=Retail Albums – Week 43 of 2021 |website=Gaon Chart |language=ko |access-date=1 May 2025}}

| 34

{{Album chart|Spain|1|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=28 October 2021}}
{{Album chart|Sweden|3|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=24 October 2021}}
{{Album chart|Switzerland|2|artist=Coldplay|album=Music of the Spheres|rowheader=true|access-date=24 October 2021}}
scope="row" |Taiwanese Albums (Five Music){{cite web |url=https://www.5music.com.tw/CDTop.asp?top=6 |language=zh |title=Week 44 Statistical Time: 2021/10/29 – 2021/11/4 |date=November 2021 |publisher=G-Music |access-date=27 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111153918/https://www.5music.com.tw/CDTop.asp?top=6 |archive-date=11 November 2021 |url-status=dead}}

| 1

{{Album chart|UK2|1|date=20211022|rowheader=true|access-date=22 October 2021}}
{{Album chart|Billboard200|4|artist=Coldplay|rowheader=true|access-date=26 October 2021}}
scope="row" | US Top Rock & Alternative Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/coldplay/chart-history/rkc/|title=Coldplay Chart History: Top Rock & Alternative Albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=15 October 2024}}

| 1

{{col-2}}

= Monthly charts =

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Monthly chart performance for Music of the Spheres

! scope="col" style="width:21em;" |Chart (2021)

! scope="col" |Peak
position

scope="row" |Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI){{cite web|url=https://ifpicr.cz/hitparada/14?weekId=2737|title=CZ – Albums – Top 100: Měsíc 10/2021|publisher=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|access-date=4 December 2024|language=cs}}

| 11

scope="row" |Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI){{cite web|url=https://ifpicr.cz/hitparada/36?weekId=2737|title=SK – Albums – Top 100: Měsíc 10/2021|publisher=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|access-date=4 December 2024|language=sk}}

| 4

= Year-end charts =

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Year-end chart performance for Music of the Spheres

! scope="col" style="width:21em;" |Chart (2021)

! scope="col" |Position

scope="row" |Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria){{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=a&id=2021|title=Jahreshitparade Alben 2021|publisher=austriancharts.at|language=de|access-date=13 January 2022}}

| 53

scope="row" |Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2021&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2021|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=5 January 2022}}

| 31

scope="row" |Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2021&cat=a|title=Rapports Annuels 2021|publisher=Ultratop|language=fr|access-date=5 January 2022}}

| 17

scope="row" |Dutch Albums (Album Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2021&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2021|website=dutchcharts.nl|language=nl|access-date=4 January 2022}}

| 41

scope="row" |French Albums (SNEP){{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/actualites-du-snep/la-production-musicale-francaise-toujours-plebiscitee-2021/|title=La Production Musicale Française Toujours Plébiscitée – 2021|date=6 January 2022 |publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|language=fr|access-date=26 January 2022}}

| 40

scope="row" |German Albums (Offizielle Top 100){{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2021|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts 2021|publisher=GfK Entertainment charts|language=de|access-date=9 January 2022}}

| 42

scope="row" |Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ){{cite web|url=https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/album_db/2021|title=Összesített album- és válogatáslemez-lista – eladási darabszám alapján – 2021|publisher=Mahasz|language=hu|access-date=1 February 2022}}

| 42

scope="row" |Italian Albums (FIMI){{cite web|url=https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/classifiche.kl#/charts/11/2021/0|title=Classifica annuale 2021 (dal 1 January 2021 al 30 December 2021) – Album & Compilation|publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|language=it|access-date=8 January 2022}}

| 98

scope="row" |Portuguese Albums (AFP){{cite web|url=http://www.audiogest.pt/uploads/files/file_2022-01-26-11-37-08.pdf|title=Top 100 Álbuns – Semanas 1 a 52 – De 01/01/2021 a 30/12/2021|website=Audiogest|page=1|language=pt|access-date=2 February 2022}}

| 15

scope="row" |Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE){{cite web|url=https://www.elportaldemusica.es/lists/top-100-albums/2021|title=Top 100 Albums Annual 2021|publisher=Productores de Música de España|work=El portal de Música|access-date=20 January 2022}}

| 62

scope="row" |Swedish Physical Albums (Sverigetopplistan){{cite web|url=https://sverigetopplistan.se/chart/251/?dspy=2021&dspp=1|title=Årslista Album Fysiskt, 2021|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|access-date=16 January 2025}}

| 42

scope="row" |Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2021/alben|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2021|website=hitparade.ch|access-date=26 December 2021|language=de}}

| 19

scope="row" |UK Albums (OCC){{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-albums-of-2021__34858/|title=The Official Top 40 biggest albums of 2021|publisher=Official Charts Company|last=Griffiths|first=George|date=4 January 2022|access-date=4 January 2022}}

| 14

scope="row" |US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/top-alternative-albums|title=Top Alternative Albums – Year-End 2021|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2 December 2021}}

| 34

scope="row" |US Top Rock Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/top-rock-albums|title=Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2021|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2 December 2021}}

| 60

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col" style="width:21em;" |Chart (2022)

! scope="col" |Position

scope="row" |Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2022&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2022|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=13 January 2023}}

| 30

scope="row" |Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2022&cat=a|title=Rapports annuels 2022|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=13 January 2023}}

| 42

scope="row" |Dutch Albums (Album Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2022&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2022|website=dutchcharts.nl|language=nl|access-date=4 January 2023}}

| 26

scope="row" |French Albums (SNEP){{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-chiffres/2022-la-production-musicale-francaise-toujours-au-top/|title=2022: La Production Musicale Française Toujours au Top|date=6 January 2023|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|language=fr|access-date=6 January 2023}}

| 96

scope="row" |Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ){{cite web|url=https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/album_chart/2022|title=Összesített album- és válogatáslemez-lista – eladási darabszám alapján – 2022|publisher=Mahasz|language=hu|access-date=15 February 2023}}

| 99

scope="row" |Portuguese Albums (AFP){{cite web|url=https://www.audiogest.pt/uploads/files/file_2023-01-30-17-47-02.pdf|title=Top 100 Álbuns – Semanas 1 a 52 – De 31/12/2021 a 29/12/2022|website=Audiogest|language=pt|access-date=31 January 2023}}

| 32

scope="row" |Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE){{cite web|url=https://www.elportaldemusica.es/lists/top-100-albums/2022|title=Top 100 Albums Annual 2022|publisher=Productores de Música de España|work=El portal de Música|access-date=26 January 2023}}

| 54

scope="row" |US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/top-alternative-albums/|title=Top Alternative Albums – Year-End 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=1 December 2022}}

| 34

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col" style="width:21em;" |Chart (2023)

! scope="col" |Position

scope="row" |Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2023&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2023|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=7 January 2024}}

| 182

scope="row" |Spanish Vinyl Albums (PROMUSICAE){{cite web|url=https://www.elportaldemusica.es/lists/top-100-vinilos/2023|title=Top 100 Vinyl Albums Annual 2024|publisher=Productores de Música de España|work=El portal de Música|access-date=22 January 2025}}

| 54

{{col-end}}

Certifications and sales

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for Music of the Spheres}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|certyear=2022|relyear=2021|artist=Coldplay|title=Music of the Spheres|award=Platinum|type=album|access-date=9 August 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|certyear=2022|relyear=2021|artist=Coldplay|title=Music of the Spheres|award=Gold|type=album|access-date=28 September 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|award=Gold|certyear=2024|artist=Coldplay|title=Music of the Spheres|relyear=2021|relmonth=10|type=album|id=13535|access-date=21 February 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Coldplay|title=Music of the Spheres|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2021|certyear=2021|access-date=3 May 2022|salesamount=150,000|salesref={{efn|France total sales figures for Music of the Spheres as of December 2024.{{Cite web |date=29 December 2024 |title=Coldplay: Combien de Ventes Pour L'Album Moon Music en France? |trans-title=Coldplay: How Many Sales for the Moon Music Album in France? |url=https://www.chartsinfrance.net/Coldplay/news-130919.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230203557/https://www.chartsinfrance.net/Coldplay/news-130919.html |archive-date=30 December 2024 |access-date=30 December 2024 |website=Pure Charts |language=fr}}}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Coldplay|title=Music of the Spheres|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2021|certyear=2024|id=12899|access-date=15 July 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|artist=Coldplay|title=Music of the Spheres|nocert=true|type=album|relyear=2021|salesamount=11,314|salesref={{efn|Japan pure sales figures for Music of the Spheres as of November 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/m/2021-10/p/4/|script-title=ja:月間 アルバムランキング 2021年10月度|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|trans-title=Monthly Album Ranking – October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111034003/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/m/2021-10/p/4/|archive-date=11 November 2021|url-status=dead|access-date=30 September 2022}}

  • {{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/dia/w/2021-10-25/|script-title=ja:週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2021年10月25日付|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|trans-title=Weekly Digital Album Ranking dated October 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020035136/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/dia/w/2021-10-25/|archive-date=20 October 2021|url-status=dead|access-date=30 September 2022}}
  • {{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/dia/w/2021-11-01/p/2/|script-title=ja:週間 デジタルアルバムランキング 2021年11月01日付|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|trans-title=Weekly Digital Album ranking dated November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027035122/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/dia/w/2021-11-01/p/2/|archive-date=27 October 2021|url-status=dead|access-date=30 September 2022}}}}|access-date=30 September 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|artist=Coldplay|title=Music of the Spheres|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2021|certyear=2022|salesamount=70,000|salesref={{efn|Coldplay received a Gold plaque from Warner Music Mexico for selling 70,000 units of Music of the Spheres in the country. However, AMPROFON did not update their database.{{cite web|url=https://warnermusic.com.mx/files/2022/Coldplay_MOTS_GoldCertification_MX.pdf|title=Coldplay Recibe Disco de Oro de Warner Music México por las Vendas del Álbum Music of the Spheres|trans-title=Coldplay Receives Gold Disc from Warner Music Mexico for Music of the Spheres Sales|website=Warner Music MX|language=es|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220406001027/https://warnermusic.com.mx/files/2022/Coldplay_MOTS_GoldCertification_MX.pdf|archive-date=6 April 2022|url-status=live|access-date=5 April 2022}}}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Coldplay|title=Music of the Spheres|award=Gold|type=album|access-date=22 November 2024|relyear=2021|certyear=2023|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Coldplay|title=Music of the Spheres|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2021|certyear=2022|date=6 April 2022|access-date=6 April 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=album|artist=Coldplay|title=Music Of The Spheres|award=Gold|relyear=2021|certyear=2022|id=coldplay-bts-music-of-the-spheres|accessdate=January 3, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Coldplay|title=Music of the Spheres|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2021|certyear=2021|id=4440-1754-2|salesamount=204,622|salesref={{efn|United Kingdom total sales figures for Music of the Spheres as of August 2022.{{Cite web |date=19 August 2022 |title=Charts Analysis: Kasabian Score Sixth No.1 Album |url=https://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/charts-analysis-kasabian-score-sixth-no-1-album/086410 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819192333/https://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/charts-analysis-kasabian-score-sixth-no-1-album/086410 |archive-date=19 August 2022 |access-date=19 August 2022 |website=Music Week}}}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Coldplay|title=Everyday Life|nocert=yes|type=album|relyear=2021|certyear=2023|salesamount=395,000|salesref={{efn|United States total sales figures for Music of the Spheres as of January 2023.{{Cite web |date=31 January 2023 |title=Grammy Noms in the Marketplace |url=https://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=334521&title=GRAMMY-NOMS-IN-THE-MARKETPLACE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230131195634/https://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=334521&title=GRAMMY-NOMS-IN-THE-MARKETPLACE |archive-date=31 January 2023 |access-date=31 January 2023 |website=Hits Daily Double}}}}}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true|nosales=true}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ Release history and formats for Music of the Spheres

! scope="col" |Region

! scope="col" |Date

! scope="col" |Format

! scope="col" |Label

! scope="col" class="unsortable" |{{Abbr|Ref.|References}}

scope="row" |Various

| 15 October 2021

| CD{{·}}LP{{·}}cassette{{·}}digital download{{·}}streaming

| Parlophone{{·}}Atlantic{{·}}Warner Music

|

See also

{{col div}}

{{col div end}}

Notes

{{Notelist}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{Discogs master}}
  • {{Metacritic album}}

{{Coldplay}}

{{Coldplay songs}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2021 albums

Category:Albums produced by Jon Hopkins

Category:Albums produced by Max Martin

Category:Albums produced by Rik Simpson

Category:Atlantic Records albums

Category:Coldplay albums

Category:Songs about outer space

Category:Parlophone albums

Category:Science fiction concept albums

Category:Albums produced by Oscar Holter

Category:Albums produced by Metro Boomin

Category:Synth-pop albums by English artists

Category:Space rock albums

Category:Ambient albums by English artists

Category:2020s concept albums