After a brief hiatus for alternative rock band Coldplay, the British quartet delivered an eclectic array of tracks on Nov. 22, 2019, with the release of its double album “Everyday Life.”

Coldplay celebrated the launch of its new music with a performance aired live from Jordan. The first set of this recorded concert opened in a sedate manner, gradually progressing to a higher energy show that continued in the second set.

The first half of the album is referred to as “Sunrise” and the last eight songs as “Sunset.” The two sets played by the band represent both sides of the record, fully encompassing the essence of an actual sunrise and sunset.

There is a distinct contrast between the overall feel of both parts of the album, perhaps differentiating the group’s more experimental pieces from some music that shares similarities with its past work. “Sunrise” could be interpreted as the dawn of Coldplay’s journey with less traditional genres, while “Sunset” symbolizes a momentary end to the sound for which the band is currently known.

Opening its eighth studio album with an entirely instrumental piece that is ironically called “Sunrise,” Coldplay encapsulates the beauty of a real sunrise through a peacefully hopeful orchestral tune. The rich melody of this song exemplifies simplicity from its lack of lyrics, helping to paint a scenic image of the sun peeking over the horizon.

Coldplay’s search for unique style continues in songs such as “Trouble In Town” which features a sample from an incident involving a Philadelphia police officer in 2013. The officer’s tone and strong choice of diction heard here ties into the entire ominous tune of the song.

The accompaniment, a gospel choir with lead singer Chris Martin in “BrokEn,” results in a more uplifting piece. The repetition of the phrase “shine a light on me” asks a greater power for strength in accepting one’s own fate with grace and dignity. A more metaphorical yet similar message can be found in “Church,” a relaxing song that embodies trust in another being.

Although “Arabesque” does remain fairly underground, it is perhaps the most well-known track found on “Sunrise” and a co-lead single. The word “arabesque” is defined by the Oxford Dictionary, as “a passage or composition with fanciful ornamentation of the melody”. This song is the epitome of that definition, combining Western and Middle Eastern styles of music to create an intriguing yet enticing piece.

“Orphans” of “Sunset,” the track released alongside “Arabesque” on the reverse side of the record, has an upbeat tempo similar to that of many songs found on Coldplay’s 2015 album “A Head Full Of Dreams.” It is joined in the second half of the album by the empowering theme of “Champion Of The World.” The positivity in this song encourages the belief in one’s inner strength, a simple message that is still so difficult to actually achieve.

Much of the rest of “Sunset” is filled with calming tunes such as “Everyday Life.” This piece is not only named after the album’s title but also serves as a cohesive conclusion to the 16-song masterpiece. It connects everyone’s suffering in an effort to unify others and inspire all to persist through their struggles.

In all, Coldplay’s long-awaited record has surpassed my initial expectations in providing piece after piece of insightful, political commentary while staying true to themselves to display each member’s musical talents that make every song pleasing to the ears. By branching out into different genres and even being inclusive of other languages, my favorite band has surprised me yet again and given me an extraordinary selection of music.