Lead singer Chris Martin acknowledges the impermanence of things, choosing to risk the pain of loss and embrace them anyway (“What If?,” “Fix You”). With great empathy, he asks listeners questions such as, “Is there anybody out there who is lost and hurt and lonely too?” (“Square One”) and “Are you lost or incomplete?” (“Talk”), then puts an arm around them with words of encouragement. “A Message” expresses love and support. Assuming responsibility for restoration, Martin says, “I know something is broken, and I’m trying to fix it/Trying to repair it any way I can” (“X&Y”). He affirms the value of a hurting soul who deems life meaningless (“Low”), then tells a partner that they belong together (“Swallowed in the Sea”). He yearns to be heard, understood and set free on “Till Kingdom Come,” a vaguely spiritual cut. “Twisted Logic” worries for the environment, demanding better stewardship of the earth because “it belongs to all of us.” The cryptic “Speed of Sound” extracts hope from the observation of birds in flight.
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The introspective X&Y contains plenty of raw vulnerability delivered by way of ethereal rock melodies. Another Coldplay CD parents can feel good about.
