Coldplay released “Ghost Stories” on May 19, an album that is truly magical.

Coldplay is a British alternative rock band that came to the world’s attention with their debut album “Parachutes” in 2000. Their more recent albums, “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends” and “Mylo Xyloto,” were released in 2008 and 2011, respectively, and were popular worldwide.

The band consists of lead singer Chris Martin, lead guitarist Jonny Buckland, percussionist Will Champion, and bassist Guy Berryman. “Ghost Stories” is their sixth studio album.

The album starts out strongly with “Always In My Head.” The song is mainly a mournful keen with much of it purely instrumental. The lyrics, though sparse, are easy to connect to and draw listeners in just as well as the background music does.

“Magic,” the lead single from the album, has a definite beat but a melancholy tone to it with its soft vocals and delicate melody. It closely resembles the style from “Mylo Xyloto.”

“Ink” starts off with a quicker beat than most of the other songs on the album. Its subject matter is just as bleak as that of the other tracks, but without the lyrics the song definitely has a more optimistic feel to it. All in all, it’s a sad song that doesn’t sound all that sad, which is a bit confusing. “Ink” is not by a long shot the best track on “Ghost Stories.”

Though it doesn’t necessarily sound doleful, “True Love” is another track in which the lyrics are unmistakably despondent. In the song, Martin sings, “Tell me you love me, and if you don’t then lie,” which, though simply put, is some of the most expressive lyrics on the album.

“Midnight” is best described as ghostly and haunting. Its lyrics are almost indecipherable on the first listen, but it’s the kind of song you’ll want to play again and ponder for a while. The song is electronic and has a calming effect.

“Another’s Arms” isn’t very remarkable a track because of its highly repetitive lyrics and familiar sound.

“Oceans” is very rhythmic and actually calls to mind the flow of the tide. The vocals are soft and gentle, keeping with the melody. “Oceans” is the second-longest song on the album, but it seems to go by the quickest as listeners sway back and forth with the music.

Despite its mildly repetitive lyrics, “A Sky Full of Stars” is a sweet and beautiful love song. It starts off with a focus on the piano and then moves to an electronic sound between verses that only adds power. “A Sky Full of Stars” is Coldplay’s first dance track and features Avicii on the piano.

“O” is without a doubt one of the more optimistic songs on the album, slightly uplifting and instilling a sense of hope to finish the album off. It compares a flock of birds to love in an utterly enchanting way.

Much of the inspiration for the album came from Martin’s recent split with his wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, and the heartbreak and grief he experienced as a result.

Overall, “Ghost Stories” is not the album to listen to when trying to remain cheerful. Rather, it would be better suited to listening alone in an introspective mood or when you’re looking for music that’s peaceful and relaxing.

I give this album 3 out of 4 grizzly paws.