Arabesque (Coldplay song)

"Arabesque"
Picture sleeve for (7-inch vinyl) double A-side single
Dual single cover
Single by Coldplay
from the album Everyday Life
Released24 October 2019 (2019-10-24)
Genre
Length5:40
LabelParlophone
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Coldplay singles chronology
"Miracles (Someone Special)"
(2017) 		"Arabesque" / "Orphans"
(2019) 		"Higher Power"
(2021)
Lyric video
"Arabesque" on YouTube

"Arabesque" is a song by British rock band Coldplay from their eighth studio album Everyday Life. It was released on 24 October 2019, along with the single "Orphans", and appears on the first side of the album Sunrise.[2] The song features vocals by Belgian singer Stromae, horn sections by Nigerian musician Femi Kuti,[3] and oud contributions from Palestinian group Le Trio Joubran.[4]

The song was written by all Coldplay members, Karnivool guitarist Drew Goddard, Kuti and Stromae,[5] while production was handled by the Dream Team.[6] It is the second release by the band to feature profanity, with the lyric "same fucking blood" appearing in the final verses of the song. This marks the first instance of Chris Martin swearing, whereas the first release to feature profanity was the remix of "Lost!" featuring Jay-Z.

Background and promotion

[edit]

On 24 October 2019, the band announced the dual release of the songs "Arabesque" and "Orphans" as the first singles from their album Everyday Life, with both tracks being released on the same day.[7] In anticipation of the new era, the band set up a countdown leading up to the release a few hours in advance.[8] "Arabesque" was performed live on BBC Radio 1's Annie Mac Show on 27 November 2019.

Critical reception

[edit]

"Arabesque" received widespread critical acclaim. Dan Stubbs of NME noted that the song "finds Coldplay in less familiar territory than 'Orphans', featuring French vocals and a saxophone freakout that shifts the song into a modern jazz piece perfectly in tune with the nu-jazz zeitgeist.[9] Writing for Under the Radar, Christopher Roberts named "Arabesque" the best song of the week, stating that it is "one of the most interesting songs the band has released in years".[10]

Christian Eede of The Quietus wrote that "Coldplay are digging up their roots and toying with the base-level fabric of their sound with an attacking, seductive piece that storms trumpet-first", naming the song among the best of October 2019.[11] 3voor12,[12] Herald Sun,[13] and Muzikalia have all added "Arabesque" to their lists of best releases of the year as well.[14]

Live performances

[edit]

Coldplay performed the song alongside Femi Kuti several times during the promotion campaign for Everyday Life, including at the Hollywood Palladium,[15] and the Natural History Museum of London.[16] In 2024, the band invited Kuti and Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna to Glastonbury Festival, which was part of the Music of the Spheres World Tour.[17]

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the "Orphans / Arabesque" liner notes.[18]

Coldplay

Additional musicians

Production

  • Chris Allgood – assistant mastering
  • Lionel Capouillez – additional engineer
  • Michael Freeman – mixing
  • Daniel Green – producer, programmer
  • Adnan Joubran – additional engineer
  • Emily Lazar – mastering
  • Bill Rahko – producer, programmer
  • Lance Robinson – additional engineer
  • Davide Rossi – additional engineer
  • Jacques Du Plessis - additional engineer
  • Gavin Flax - additional engineer
  • Rik Simpson – producer, programmer
  • Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing
  • Matt Wolach – assistant mixing

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Arabesque"
Chart (2019) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[19] 8
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[20] 20
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[21] 75
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[22] 29

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 24 October 2019
Parlophone [23][5]
United Kingdom 25 October 2019 Contemporary hit radio [24]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Stubbs, Dan (24 October 2019). "Coldplay's new songs 'Orphans' and 'Arabesque' – reviewed: Jazzier! Classic rock-ier! Fun-er!". NME. Retrieved 2019-10-25.
  2. ^ Moore, Sam (23 October 2019). "Coldplay announce tracklist for new album 'Everyday Life' in local Welsh newspaper". NME. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  3. ^ DeVille, Chris (24 October 2019). "Coldplay – "Orphans" & "Arabesque"". Stereogum. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  4. ^ "Palestine Oud Outfit, Le Trio Joubran, Features on Coldplay's Cryptic New Album". The New Arab. 28 October 2019. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Orphans / Arabesque / Coldplay – TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  6. ^ Rowley, Glenn (24 October 2019). "Here's When Coldplay's New Double Album is Arriving -- Oh, Plus 2 New Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  7. ^ White, Jack (24 October 2019). "Coldplay announce tracklist to new double album Everyday Life released on November 22". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  8. ^ Cross, Alan (24 October 2019). "Coldplay has been quietly planting Easter eggs ahead of their new album". ajournalofmusicalthings.com. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  9. ^ Stubbs, Dan (2019-10-24). "Coldplay's new songs 'Orphans' and 'Arabesque' – reviewed". NME. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
  10. ^ Roberts, Christopher. "8 Best Songs of the Week: Coldplay, Destroyer, Anna Meredith, Wire, and More". undertheradarmag.com. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
  11. ^ "The Quietus | Features | Music Of The Month: Things We've Loved This October". The Quietus. November 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
  12. ^ "Merol Wint de Song Van Het Jaar 2019" [Merol Wins Song of the Year 2019]. 3voor12 (in Dutch). 6 December 2019. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  13. ^ "The Best and Worst Music of 2019". Herald Sun. 12 December 2019. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  14. ^ "Las 100 Mejores Canciones de 2019" [The 100 Best Songs of 2019]. Muzikalia (in European Spanish). 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  15. ^ "Citi Sound Vault 2020: Coldplay Live at the Hollywood Palladium". MXDWN Music. 2020-01-24. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  16. ^ Hunt, Elle (2019-11-26). "Coldplay Review – Still the Masters of the Sweeping Statement". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  17. ^ "Watch Coldplay Bring Out Michael J. Fox and Debut Little Simz Collab at Glastonbury". Stereogum. 30 June 2024. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  18. ^ Coldplay (24 October 2019). Orphans / Arabesque (digital download). Parlophone. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  19. ^ "Coldplay – Arabesque" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  20. ^ "Coldplay – Arabesque" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  21. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  22. ^ "Coldplay Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  23. ^ Strauss, Matthew (24 October 2019). "Coldplay Share New Songs "Orphans" and "Arabesque": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  24. ^ "Radio 1 Playlist". BBC. Archived from the original on October 26, 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
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