Entertainment

Should You Listen to the 'Ghost Stories' Leak?

by Kadeen Griffiths

It's impossible these days to mention Gwyneth Paltrow or Chris Martin, especially as a pair, without using the phrase "conscious uncoupling" or analyzing their interactions in terms of their separation. It doesn't help that Chris Martin basically admitted Ghost Stories was his way of dealing with the it or that Martin blames himself for the split. With Ghost Stories available for streaming on iTunes Radio a week ahead of its release on May 19, it seems wrong to say that Coldplay could benefit off of Martin's personal pain. But, hey, what musician hasn't profited off negative life experience over the course of their career?

While Ghost Stories is going to do a great job of putting us all in the mindset that Chris Martin has been living in for who-knows-how-long, the fact still remains that the album has the potential to be a real downer. Arguably, most Coldplay albums are, considering the kind of music they're famous for, but Ghost Stories is a downer in both title and emotional content. This probably isn't the kind of album that you listen to when you're power walking to the office or when you're trying to choose the best bikini to wear to the local pool. If you're going to listen to the album ahead of time, you kind of have to be in the right mood.

In fact, you should only listen to Ghost Stories early...

...If you just broke up with someone.

Martin has made it clear time and time again that Ghost Stories came from the place he was in during his and Paltrow's separation. If the singles that have been released so far are any indication, it's going to get weepy. If all you want to do is curl into a ball and mourn a love that once was, this is the album for you.

...If you're thinking of breaking up with someone.

If you're on the fence about whether or not you're trapped in a dying relationship, Ghost Stories is a good album to listen to. If you can't take at least one of the songs and connected it to your own love life, then it's probably time to say goodbye. After all, even the worst times in a relationship can seem bearable if you know you still feel something.

...If you need to make an angsty mix tape.

In general, Coldplay is a staple of any and all angsty mix tapes in the history of angsty mixtapes. Seriously, what did people put on those before 1996? Even "Magic", a single that's got a pretty simple romantic message when you think about it, is a total bummer of a song. Ghost Stories is just one album-long angsty mix tape.

...If you want to understand conscious uncoupling.

If you're still scratching your head and tilting your head to the side no matter how many times you read about conscious uncoupling as defined by Martin and Paltrow, then Ghost Stories might help clear up some of that confusion. It's got a message about being sad about something you know is kind of your fault.

...If you want to see what all the fuss is about.

Considering how much hype is surrounding this album — and how much gossip is surrounding Paltrow and Martin — you might be eager to get your hands on this album just to have another piece to that public puzzle. If you're expecting this to be the best album Coldplay has ever done just from sheer news frenzy alone, listen to it early.

...If you're tired of hearing about it.

On the other hand, if you never want to hear the names Chris Martin or Gwyneth Paltrow again, you should still stream the album. After all, before their conscious uncoupling, Coldplay was a band that was all about the music. Focusing on that and not on the gossip might alleviate some frustration.

...If you're a huge Coldplay fan.

Of course, the best mood to be in when streaming the album early is that of a Coldplay fanatic. If you just can't wait until May 19 to get your hands on the next Coldplay album, it's time you invested in iTunes. The singles are a good indication of what to expect from the album, but diehard fans will still love it anyway.

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