[4] On 16 April 2013, the band announced it as a 7" limited single for Record Store Day, with a live version of "Us Against the World" serving as its B-side.

Directed by Mark Osborne with illustrations by Alejandro Fuentes, the video contains flashes of neons, the band's trademark over the course of Mylo Xyloto's promotions.

The story is set in the world of "Silencia" ruled by a dictator: Major Minus, who wants to take colors and sounds off the streets and controls the population through propaganda (like posters on the walls that invite people to be silent) and his army of "silencers".

[7] In his review of Mylo Xyloto, Ian Cohen of Pitchfork Media called the song "a remarkably aerodynamic piece of all-purpose inspirational rock that never gets too pushy even with [Chris] Martin's meaningful/meaningless proclamations.

[12] Andy Gill of The Independent wrote that the song "opens proceedings at a peak, the twinkly demeanour of its bustling pop layered with disparate guitar lines".