When a huge band releases a comeback single, the day of the first play is always hyped up as a massive event. The music press and radio stations count down the days like they are using some sort of advent calendar, constantly reminding us when we can hear the precious track for the first time.
Examples of this madness include D'You Know What I Mean, the first release from Be Here Now, the much anticipated but godawful third album by Oasis and Beetlebum by Blur, the rather downbeat single which followed the glory days of Parklife and The Great Escape.
The problem is, these comeback singles rarely live up to the pandemonium surrounding them. As the track fizzles out to an end, people are usually left feeling underwhelmed and unsure why they were so excited in the first place. The sense of an anti-climax is also heightened if the band in question have decided on a change of style and a major direction shift from the previously heard stuff.
This is the case with Coldplay's Violet Hill, the first single from the pretentiously-titled new album Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends, which is more edgier and experimental than the songs we’ve have heard from them before.
Released as a free download on the band's website on Monday, the demand for the song caused the site to grind to a halt shortly after its 12.15pm release. It is a darker tune with pounding, heavy guitars and there's even a hint of electronic music in there. It seems far less radio friendly, in the sense that if moves away from a poppy like sound towards something a bit more prog like Radiohead.
It is one of those songs that Coldplay fans will have to learn to love, just like followers of Blur would have had to do with Beetlebum. The differences are apparent, but after a few listens it could be one of those songs described as a 'grower'. Give it enough time and Violet Hill could perhaps stand alongside other Coldplay anthems. For now though, the jury is probably still out.
The free download is available for another week if you wish to judge for yourself. Otherwise it is released as a conventional paid-for download on May 6th.
Review: Dan Palmer
