Arabesque (Coldplay song)

"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] It features vocals by Belgian singer Stromae and horn sections by Femi Kuti and his band.[3] The song was written by all band members, Karnivool guitarist Drew Goddard, Femi Kuti and Stromae, while production was handled by The Dream Team.[4][5] It is the first studio release by the band to feature profanity (same fucking blood, it appears in the final verses of the song).

"Arabesque"
Picture sleeve for (7-inch vinyl) double A-side single
Single by Coldplay
from the album Everyday Life
Released	24 October 2019
Recorded	2008-2009, 2019
Genre	Experimental rock alternative rock jazz fusion[1]
Length	5:40
Label	Parlophone
Songwriter(s)	Guy Berryman Jonny Buckland Will Champion Chris Martin Drew Goddard Femi Kuti Paul Van Haver
Producer(s)	Bill Rahko Daniel Green Rik Simpson
Coldplay singles chronology
"E-Lo" (2018) "Arabesque" / "Orphans" (2019) "Everyday Life" (2019)
Lyric video
"Arabesque" on YouTube

Background and promotion

On 24 October 2019, the band announced the release (on the same day) of the songs "Arabesque" and "Orphans" as a dual release and as the first singles off Everyday Life.[6] In anticipation of the new era, the band set up a countdown leading up to the release a few hours in advance.[7] Arabesque was performed live on BBC Radio 1 as part of the Annie Mac Show on 27 November 2019.

Critical reception

"Arabesque" received mostly positive reviews from critics. Dan Stubbs of NME stated that the song "finds Coldplay in less familiar territory than 'Orphans', in that it has French vocals and a sax freakout that shifts the song into a modern jazz piece that couldn’t be more in tune with the nu-jazz zeitgeist if it tried." [8] Writing for Under the Radar, Christopher Roberts named "Arabesque" the best song of the week, stating that "'Arabesque' is one of the coolest, most interesting songs the band has released in years".[9] 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.", and named "Arabesque" one of the best tracks of October 2019.[10]

Personnel

Credits adapted from the "Orphans / Arabesque" liner notes.[11]

Coldplay Guy Berryman – bass guitar, hand clap, writer Will Champion – drums, keyboards, percussion, vocals, writer Jonny Buckland – guitar, writer Chris Martin – guitar, hand clap, vocals, writer Additional musicians Omorinmade Anikulapo-Kuti – alto saxophone Babatunde Ankra – trombone Drew Goddard – guitar, writer Daniel Green – keyboards Samir Joubran – guitar Wissam Joubran – guitar Adnan Joubran – guitar Femi Kuti – horn, writer Made Kuti – orchestrionics Ayoola Magbagbeola – tenor saxophone Gbenga Ogundeji – trumpet Bill Rahko – keyboards Davide Rossi – strings Rik Simpson – keyboards Stromae – vocals, writer

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

Chart (2019)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[12]	8
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[13]	20
UK Download (OCC)[14]	75
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[15]	29

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Various	24 October 2019	Digital download streaming	Parlophone	[16][5]
United Kingdom	25 October 2019	Contemporary hit radio		[17]

References

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. 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.
5. "Orphans / Arabesque / Coldplay – TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
6. 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.
7. Cross, Alan (24 October 2019). "Coldplay has been quietly planting Easter eggs ahead of their new album". ajournalofmusicalthings.com. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
8. Stubbs, Dan (2019-10-24). "Coldplay's new songs 'Orphans' and 'Arabesque' – reviewed". NME. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
9. Roberts, Christopher. "8 Best Songs of the Week: Coldplay, Destroyer, Anna Meredith, Wire, and More". undertheradarmag.com. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
10. "The Quietus | Features | Music Of The Month: Things We've Loved This October". The Quietus. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
11. Coldplay (24 October 2019). Orphans / Arabesque (digital download). Parlophone. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
12. "Ultratop.be – Coldplay – Arabesque" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
13. "Ultratop.be – Coldplay – Arabesque" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
14. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
15. "Coldplay Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
16. Strauss, Matthew (24 October 2019). "Coldplay Share New Songs "Orphans" and "Arabesque": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
17. "Radio 1 Playlist". BBC. Archived from the original on October 26, 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.