We've heard the new song Paradise. Then we heard the news that Rihanna will feature on the track Princess Of China from the forthcoming album Mylo Xyloto. It's a Coldplay day that has pleased some but fueled tension in many - certainly a day that won't be forgotten in Coldplaying circles. Some are calling it progression, others regression; it's a topic that has turned lurkers into posters. What are we talking about? We're talking about Coldplay's 'New Direction'.

We've taken many of your thoughts over the past 24 hours on this subject and combined them into the following article, which makes for very interesting reading for new and old Coldplay fans alike. (If you think there's a comprehensive post that we've missed that deserves to be published - drop us an email or PM!). Here at Coldplaying we strive to give you a balanced view of the latest goings on and whichever side of the fence you stand on on Coldplay's evolution (or sit, as the case may be) its our view that we have some well written posts that have taken effort, outlining the bigger picture, that deserve a mention. So - do away with the 'tl;dr' - grab a coffee and 30 minutes... here we go...!

Two singles on and Coldplay are on the verge of marking themselves as “sell outs”, not by the general people but by their own fans. The general public had termed them that after they became famous ages ago. It’s very easy to join the hate wagon and start criticising the change in direction that the band may be adopting. I use the word “may” because sometimes things aren’t exactly what it seems. What people have presumed from the songs that they have heard till now is that “Coldplay have gone Pop” and it’s hard to break that mould if you listen to “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall”, the lead single...

...The signs right now, for a die-hard fan is looking grim. The vibe around the built up to the album is that of doubt, fear and uncertainty. Not something new but with the news of a Rihanna collaboration the same increases many folds. Coldplay have always been mainstream and this partnership, although surprising, is not totally out of context. If the album required a female lead vocalist to act as fillers, note I say “fillers”, and if Rihanna has done that very job then there’s nothing to panic about. On the other hand, if it’s another churned pop tune for single sake it could turn lead to loss in respect and loyalty of several fans. Many bands, in this age, have lost their relevance by dishing out the same material over and over again (read ‘Nickelback’). Coldplay could have easily gone with “Parachutes 2.0” and pleased the hard-core fans and even to expect such a thing now would be nothing short of foolishness. Bands evolve; “Viva La Vida” from “X&Y” was a part of that process. Is “Mylo Xyloto” a step towards the same? The answer to that shouldn’t be given by anyone until they have heard the record completely. Even to judge it by singles that has been out is nothing short of throwing a dart in the dark. Because if the released songs are to taken into consideration Coldplay can be headed two ways – U2’s “Achtung Baby” era where they increased their versatility (while still maintaining relevance) several notches up or they descend into “Pop” era where they hit an all-time low in creativity. [thanks Saketblitz] [read more]

Everyone on this site has the right to their own opinion and if a life-long fan doesn't like a song, they are entitled to feel that way. As a fan since Parachutes, I have loved every direction (sh*t, even X&Y is great in retrospect) the band has taken and I LOVE a band that takes risks. With that being stated, I am seriously worried about this record. I have finally heard the REAL version of "Paradise" and it TRIES WAY TOO HARD. The "refrain" (which I thought was the chorus) is good, but the rest is mediocre bubblegum pop. I can't say anything other than I feel like Christmas morning and I didn't get the present I wanted (after staring at it for a week). [thanks john_crawford44]

This is a different album and they are experimenting with new sounds. Yes I'm glad they are using Jonny more and he is great. They band as a whole are working great together on Hurts Like Heaven, Charlie Brown, ETIAW. After three listens I'm still not feeling it. Chris' singing at points remind me of A Rush of Blood to the Head but they lyrics always working for me. Para Para Paradide...every time I hear that I think of ella ella ella and then I remember Rihanna is going to be on the album... I know they wanted more fans and for people not to hate on Coldplay but I don't approve of this path. I'm hoping I will love the rest of the album afterall this is just one song. There's always a song or two that people don't like on an album. The comment I read somewhere about Moving to Mars being their most Coldplay like sounding song and it not being on the album is true. I love it. Shame it wasn't paradise. [thanks coldplayfan24]

U2 went from Joshua Tree to Achtung Baby which wasnt dancy but was modern and quite garagy and heavy and was/ is still a classic. The POP album came a few years later after Zooropa. POP and Zooropa were not well recieved so they went back to their roots with ATYCLB. I think the problem most people have is Coldplay seem to be purposly heading in a direction that is chart friendly and literally designed for teenagers. [thanks Choldplayer]

Well, I don't know if this has been said before or anything, but this just occurred to me. If Coldplay hadn't changed AT ALL. If everything was still all AROBTTH and Parachutes, would we not be bitching about how they have NOT changed? Maybe they're not moving in the direction WE want them to, but they are moving, and they are STILL making music that sounds like no one else's. I remember when U2 went through that whole 'disco disco' phase in the late 90's. They went from The Joshua Tree to THAT. And they came back with All That You Can't Leave Behind. Coldplay will come out of this. In the meantime, lets just enjoy this phase. It will be over one day. Maybe this is just their "disco" phase (NOT LITERALLY). I don't know. Maybe this makes no sense, and is stupid or whatever. But there's nothing we can do about it, and bitching is just going to make everyone feel worse. So lets just embrace it. Sorry if this is like...wrong in any way. [thanks playingcolder]

Listening to Paradise, I'm waiting to hear that cringe-inducing yelp of Timbaland in the background.... I have been a fan ever since I saw them perform "Yellow" on TV ages ago. I can recall thinking, "Who is this?" and started to become a fan of theirs after that point... It wasn't really until A Rush of Blood to the Head came out though, and I listened to the album and instantly said, "WOW" to myself. It completely blew me away. After that point I fell head over heels in love with Coldplay. I honestly think AROBTTH is one of the greatest rock albums of all time, and it made me fall in love with Parachutes so much more. I remember that summer very fondly, finally falling in love with a band that was all "mine" and not the Beatles or another band that had disbanded decades ago that I would never see live...

...As soon as I heard the buzzy synth bass and electronic snare on Paradise today I was like, "Oh Jesus". I gave it a shot and listened to it a few times through, soaking in it's repetitive chords over and over again. I think if you showed this song to the guys back in their Parachutes/AROBTTH era and told them they were going to write this a decade later, they would have laughed at you and said they're not trying to be the Backstreet Boys...

...THIS IS WHAT COLDPLAY SOUNDS LIKE NOW? I realize not all their songs are going to sound like this -- the other new stuff they released so far is ok. Not anywhere near as good as their early days, but still ok. This Paradise song makes Every Tear Drop A Waterfall seem like "I Am the Walrus" in comparison to how generic this is. Funny how "Moving to Mars", their most "classic Coldplay" sounding song out of the 3, didn't make the cut...

...I've pretty much given up on Coldplay. Have they lost their minds? They're always going to have a special place in my heart, but ... they've let all their original, longstanding fans down. And what's with all the people saying, "Oh stop hatin, this song is a 10/10", trying to defend it and make us look like fools. You do realize they were an amazing, deep organic sounding band before you discovered them last year on your NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL MUSIC VOL 245 cd, right? That we have been listening to their beautiful melodies for years now and this simply does not hold up whatsoever to classics like, "Everything is Not Lost", "Amsterdam", "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face", "Spies", "Clocks", "Trouble" and so on. Someone in a previous post said they have regressed in songwriting, using Amsterdam as a comparison (I 100% agree) and someone said, "No, they just changed their sound" and to get over it. You're trying to tell us that a song like Amsterdam with that mind-blowing ending and lush, deep dark piano chords that are cleverly written, is not a MILLION miles above this repetitive tween crap? It's just average for a pop song anyway; it's no man's land in terms of its appeal. If I didn't know them and I heard it on the radio, I would just change the channel. It makes me sad to say that, because I've never done that to a Coldplay song before. I would kill to go back to the days of X&Y. Everyone made fun of that album but it still was Coldplay and organic. It's strange because I love Eno but he somehow totally destroyed this band's sound and essence. Viva La Vida had some cool parts in it and some lovely songs but it felt cold, soulless and overcompressed and overproduced. Coldplay's music used to remind me of laidback foggy mornings in the countryside. Now they remind me of Glee marathons or music that should be played during an ABC Family montage...

...And yes -- I KNOW bands change their sound and grow. I grew up with Radiohead too. This is not growth. This is regression, like the other person said. This is not better. Coldplay opened up a whole new world with me when I learned their early songs on guitar and all their unique chord progression and endless weird tunings. I got all their chord books and was blown away by how clever and original their songwriting was. I bought the Viva La Vida songbook and all the chords stared becoming predictable, no alternate tunings, and it's come to a full stop now. The majority of their new songs lack any of that slightly dark, mellow, humble beauty that the old Coldplay songs had. I've always felt that Coldplay has done a horrible job of looking at themselves as a band, objectively & subjectively. Their B-sides like Animals, Murder, I Ran Away, 3.16, One I Love, Ladder to the Sun, Help is Round the Corner, Poor Me, Gravity, How You See the World, etc were all absolutely BRILLIANT and should have been included on their respectable albums. I feel like these songs got cut because they probably felt like they were too "outside the box". Which they aren't at all. But I felt like they knew the labels/mainstream wouldn't like them as much and cut them off. I always try to show people the Coldplay b-sides because it shows a cooler, darker vibe from them. I feel like if they had showed off more of these types of songs, it would have given them more of a mainstream-Radiohead-esque type of approachability and charm...instead of always choosing the most poppy, predictable songs to make the ends of their album cuts (a la "The Hardest Part")... they just come off like they're always trying too hard to please everyone. On top of that they let the negative criticism get to them too much after X&Y. They got so popular people started belittling them (NY Times article calling them "most insufferable band ever") and then Chris Martin said "We won't be seeing you around for a while" at that awards show, with his tale tucked between his legs. He should have told them all to fuck off and stuck to his guns. I remember reading interviews of them after that point, talking how they were embarrassed and didn't know what to do with themselves... and then they hired Eno. Rest is history. Funny how they were embarrassed after X&Y, but aren't embarrassed to wear these silly matching outfits with the cheap-looking decals ironed onto their clothes, looking like a poor man's version of Sgt. Pepper, singing trite songs like Paradise. What happened to the UK blokes that wore jeans and just cared about making beautiful music? Oh yeah, I forgot, they got money. That's not to say being rich makes you a bad musician, however as we've seen throughout history over and over again, a lot of times the passion/originality is never the same. Well that's my rant and I could give two shits if you don't like it. But I'm sorry, Coldplay are a joke of what they used to be, and what their potential during their early days had been. You see bands like Radiohead, who write music the way they want to, no apologies, and the fans flock in droves...Coldplay could have had that, but instead they sold out for Top 40 collaborations with Rihanna (are you serious?)...

...And finally, let me add, I don't mind pop music. I love synths and certain electronica music and sounds, and i'm not really against Coldplay meshing that in. I loved the drum synth playing underneath Chris Martin's piano chords during Animals. It sounded unique, classy. This just sounds vacuous and generic, and the chords are boring. You can write pop music and still be original, avant garde, new. Coldplay have never been the best lyricists, but at least they had great song structures and melodies. Now they have none of that. Even as vague as some of their early lyrics were, it still had a symbolic prettiness to it. Their lyrics are getting cheesy here. I used to have a few friends that loved Coldplay in highschool along with me... now most are too embarrassed to even admit they used to like them. I'm always the one defending Coldplay from those who call them boring, whiny, etc but now it's at a point where I don't even know how to defend this anymore.... I know this'll never happen but they should just get back to the basics. [thanks mark55]

I think the criticism of X&Y (which I think was completely unjust as X&Y is my absolute favorite Coldplay album) really effected Coldplay's direction. I can't blame the guys at all, as with that amount of criticism I'd probably be looking to do something drastic too, but they seemed to abandon everything that made them *them*. The heavenly sounds of Clocks, the epic ballads of Fix You and What If...I could go on. I remember when I first listened to Viva la Vida after the long 3 year wait...I couldn't help but feel like everything I once loved about them was gone. That they'd never be another song like Amsterdam or Everything's Not Lost. But despite all that, I think Coldplay still make amazing songs. They will never have the effect of their previous work, but they are still one of the best bands out there. I learnt to love their new music. - Paradise may be poppy to it's core, but it still shows how amazing these 4 musicians are. But, I'm also hoping I might be shocked and Up in Flames or another MX track will have an essence of the old Coldplay! [thanks Vitamin Z]

Ok, I've never written on here but today I've read some ridiculous responses to the release of Paradise. To say that Coldplay are taking a 'new direction' (pop) based on 2 songs is a bit wide of the mark. Yes, ETIAW and Paradise are a new, different sound, but people have been quick to forget all the great songs played at the festivals; CB, HLH and to a lesser extent MM are great songs, and a development from the Viva era. I think they'll make CB the lead single of the album, and in my view it represents what MX is about, along with HLH. UATW sounds more like classic Coldplay, and I'm sure other songs on the album will be similar. I know it's become a bit cliche, but I think it's good they're trying something different, it's testament to their talent that they can produce songs from a variety of genres. I just think it's a huge overreaction to say they've 'sold out'. I admit Paradise was a bit of a disappointment, but I think the rest of the album will make up for it. Even AROBTTH, my favourite album, and by the rhetoric of today's posts the embodiment of 'real Coldplay music', had its bad songs. In my view, every song on that album is a classic apart from Daylight and A Whisper, ironically my least favourite Coldplay songs. I probably wouldn't even have them downloaded if they weren't written by Coldplay. So before condemning them, listen to the album. I bet come October you'll all be raving about how good it is anyway. [thanks CartoonHeart42]

I've never written in this forum, but just read all of your comments and now I need to write something. I can understand your disappoiment watchin' your favorite band turnin' into something you don't like, it's sad because you'd really like to love what they're doing. But I think that you're just overreacting, I mean you're talkin' about regression,why? they started playing the music they liked and kept on trying not to repeating themselves and not always doing another Parachutes or AROBTTH. They decided to take this path, trying to create music that is not in their "DNA" and doing it in a good way, not everyone might like it but at least it's something new and fresh.Just for this, as a coldplay fan,you should be proud of them. I know you may not like this new era, but you should appreciate their effort to do different things, even if it's pop music and it's not so "Coldplay style". Plus, I don't get why people are embarrassed saying they like/liked Coldplay, they're one of the greatest band in the world and make good music, I'm always so proud to say I'm a fan! [thanks Valentina]

I'm very pro-X&Y. I loved that album and I may go as far to say that it is my favourite Coldplay album. I disagreed with all the 'bashing' that went with it because I thought that even though it wasn't the most cohesive album... It had some real beautiful tracks on there (Talk, White Shadows, Fix You). I had hoped that VLV would follow that formula; obviously it didn't. But I accepted that sound and even if it did feel a little more clinical than previous albums, I enjoyed it. I could enjoy MX if it was an VLV rehash. I just think the direction they've taken now is far too extreme and yeah. Basically you put it in a way my brain fails to formulate being as disappointed as I am now. Thank you for the extremely coherent and well written piece. I agree with you 100%. It disappoints me a lot too, because I loved the older Coldplay. I feel like they're trying to recapture the youth of experimentation as a band they never got to have because they immediately became massive. [thanks Nattatouille]

They did evolve, on songs such us Hurts Like Heaven, Us Against The World, Charlie Brown and Princess of China. Paradise was simply a question of not putting any effort in. .. I don't get the people treating them as if Coldplay are your children, where you "love them no matter what". They're a band, they make their money from providing music of a certain quality to an audience, the higher the quality, the better their popularity and fame, and the more money they make. I don't get the people posting here today criticising the people complaining with a mentality of "I love the song, because it's by Coldplay" - if that's the case, they may as well save themselves the hassle and record themselves playing a triangle for 5 minutes because either way you're going to love it. IMO it's good that the fans who don't like the song are being this critical of it, because it then gets picked up and they learn from their mistakes, and it shapes their future music. In my opinion it's a ghastly single compared to other contenders which I personally believe would (and will) fare better than Paradise on radio and to a mainstream audience. And please all Paradise-likers stop with the "Get with the times, you all want old coldplay, well this is a new direction, so stop criticising" - Yes we know it's a new direction, I don't think anybody on here dislikes Charlie Brown, Hurts Like Heaven, Us Against The World or Princess of China (minus future Rihanna inclusion that is), so no, we don't dislike it because Coldplay are moving on, because other songs they have produced are fantastic, but because Paradise is very poor both on its own and in comparison to them. [thanks DukeNewcomb]

Music is all about opinions, right, I get that, but so much of the stuff I've seen posted about Paradise on here today has been nothing short of BS, essentially accusing the band of selling out and laying claws into Brian Eno. Why? Sure this song is more poppy than the stuff from Parachutes, but so what? Coldplay have changed as a band, 11 years is a long time in music and every band that has been successful for a prolonged period has changed its style along the way. Muse and Radiohead most recently spring to mind, and thank the good lord Coldplay aren't going down the road of attempting acid-jazz like King of Limbs, or playing an almost entirely unheard set to soaked fans at Glastonbury who waited hours for a good position at the Park stage (I'm not bitter...), right? The most glaring error that seems to be taken as a logical conclusion is that mainstream = selling out. I don't believe Coldplay ever set out to be different from the status quo in the same way they're wavering to and from it as they develop. If you think they're trying to be too much like the charts, I present to you Us Against the World & Major Minus and ask if you still have the same view. If you don't like it, fine. I can't honestly believe there is a single person who likes everything Coldplay have ever produced, it doesn't happen. To level personal insults at the band, the record label, large swathes of the music industry & listening public and Brian Eno is way too far and completely unfair. If you're that angry about it I'm sure you'll be ignoring the rest of the singles, album and tour as Coldplay have 'sold out to the mainstream', right? Thought not. edit: to clear up any confusion... I don't have any issue with disliking the song as I made clear in the very first sentence of my OP! Some of the reasonings coming out and conspiracy theories are ridiculous, this is the issue. [thanks Ronnabe]

You know the biggest problem I have with it? If this was a natural progression for them, whilst still not liking it, I'd still have some respect for them. But (and this is just my opnion here) I don't think it is, it seems forced, it seems like they're going against every natural instinct they have as songwriters. [thanks Mimixxx]

It's just that in the personal opinion of many Coldplayers, Paradise is the weakest single of Coldplay's history. The lyrics are horrible, in my opinion. I celebrate the fact that they are evolving and making something different, but I guess that this is not what Coldplay fans were expecting. As stated by NME while reviewing Paradise: ‘Paradise’ feels both slightly listless and muddled. The “hip” new sonic treatments sound out of date (there's a mid-noughties vibe about the whole thing) and the chorus comes off as a weak facsimile of what Coldplay have done effortlessly in the past; specifically that people-uniting aspect. Whilst Coldplay’s pop makeover may be - for them at least- quite revelatory, it feels like Chris Martin’s populist songwriting tendencies have been clipped. Ultimately it feels like a few steps back rather than forward. Coldplay was amazing, precisely because they made GREAT songs which ended being commercial because they were GREAT, not the other way around. [thanks the_escapist]

Im a total fangirl, and I do like the new song.....but, it makes me sad that they are headed in this direction. I wish they could go to their basics. I know people say that's dumb, and they need to change and grow. But im not saying to make a parachutes copy, just to remember where they came from. Im still looking forward to the album (preordered it already), I like the other new songs like charlie brown . Im so nervous now about princess of china though. Im gonna hold on for coldplay because I love them, and holding on to hope that ill actually love the album, and that the next is a little more emo like they used to be called lol. (Missing the viva era right now). [thanks anacaren08]

I think it´s definitely evolution as we saw this coming a few years ago...just the natural course they wanted to take with their music. And people not disliking change but disliking what they change into: this is a risk you take when you like a band that loves changing, so why blame THEM for it? Rather admit you don´t like the change and move on. And no effort put into Paradise? Long-time coldplay fans know more than anyone else how hard these guys work, how much they tinker and how selective they are. To say no effort was put in what they chose as their leading single is quite unfair. You might not like the song, but I am sure they worked hard on it as on all other tracks if past indications are anything to go by. MX got really the community divided, which I guess it´s a sign that it WAS a bold move on Coldplay´s part. As Chris said in the interview, they knew this was going to happen. I also think some critics will pan Paradise and maybe even MX. I hope it´s gonna be critically successful, but they are taking a big gamble on this one. I will always be a proud MXer though. [thanks valypan]

Coldplay's music is not as good as it has been. I've only listened to Paradise twice but I could hardly recognize Coldplay - and not in a good way. It seems too poppy and repetitive - a repetition I previously admired Coldplay for avoiding. The chord progression doesn't give me the excitement that Coldplay's chords usually do at all. I don't want to judge the whole album by that so I'll leave it at that for now. I am torn, though, so I will try not to take it all too seriously. This isn't life or death. It's one album. Sure, they will probably not make as good music as they have previously but one could hope that this is just an unfortunate one. I will not write myself off the fanlist and I will try not to get too carried away with all you "giving up" on Coldplay now. Relax and let's see what happens. The thought of not being a Coldplay fan breaks my heart, so I will personally not let it happen over an unheard album and a bad single. [thanks Clocks In My Place]

Remember when a young and depressed Chris Martin used to sing "We never change, do we"? Well, believe it or not, Coldplay have changed. For the worst. He longed for a world where "making more friends would be easy". Wish granted. Now he hangs out with Beyonce and husband, Kanye West, Kylie Minogue and now, apparently, even Rihanna (are you kidding me?). He said he'd always be waiting in line for the love of his life. Done. Ten years after he's married to a movie star, with two kids. Seriously, what more could you ask for? It's fair if you don't have anything to say. After all Coldplay is the most sincere band in the world. Unlike Radiohead, superstars who've been whining for years and have elevated slackness to lifestyle for no reason at all except for the sake of it (and yet they're still producing great songs, just hear the last three tracks on "King Of Limbs"). So, Coldplay have had nothing to say since "A Rush Of Blood To The Head", which is and, as it seems right now (unfortunately) will always remain their masterwork. Yes, X&Y was fine. VIVA was great, Prospekts' March even better. But now? Now we're left with wa-wa-waterfalls and para-para-paradise (lost?). They're still unable to write completely awful tunes; as it turns out "Paradise" and ETIAW are kind of listenable, but shallow as a soup bowl (to quote Prospekt's March). Geez, even "The Nappies" is a more inspired song than that. These first two singles from MX depict the sad situation of a band that's not in touch with their feelings anymore, or even their own tastes. How could they write the soulful, beautiful "Moving To Mars" and then let it rot as a download-only C-Side? Maybe if they weren't surrounded by corporate morons, sycophants and Yes-men who approve everything they come up with... They're not infallible. They must find someone who says "No" once in a while. It used to be Will, but apparently he's given up...

...Brian Eno is partially to blame, IMO. Overproduction or plain uninspired production are some of the problems with the new tracks, and in VIVA as well. Let's take "Major Minus"... I've no problems with the vocal effects, but, for instance... where the f**k are DRUMS? I just hear goddamn "clicks"! What are we left with? UATW is indeed great, worthy of "Parachutes". "Hurts Like Heaven" is fine, great guitar solos. But it's almost autoplagiarism! Come on, it sounds exactly like the third part of "42"! "Charlie Brown" is a remake of "Life in Technicolor II", but a pop masterpiece nonetheless. Princess of China" sounded like the best of the bunch, so Coldplay felt the need to ruin it with Rihanna (at leat hire Beyonce, for God's sake, if you hang out together!). So we just need to wait for the last three "full" songs of the record: "DLIBYH" (and the title doesn't bode well...), "Up in flames" and "Up with the birds". Then, considering the band's interviews about a concise album (under 50 minutes) and the lengths of the known songs I expect "Mylo Xyloto", "M.M.I.X.", "U.F.O." and "A hopeful transmission" to be short, maybe instrumental pieces... and you know which other "singers" stuff their albums with short songs to inflate the tracklist? As I recall hip-hop artists do that... thanks Kanye, thanks Jay-Z. First Lost+, then Paradise's drumbeat and now THIS? Next live show Chris Martin will be calling the princess of China a HO. But maybe Coldplay really haven't changed that much, inside. They're still looking for approval, they want to be loved by the audience (sadly not "their" audience, but the widest possible, with the risk of alienating everybody). They NEED approval. They want people around he world to sing or hum their songs, and for the last few years they've tried and made it all the more easy: think about the ever growing rate of stadium oooooohs... because oooohs are universal, anyone can sing a ooooh. But it has to stop. They need to stop being obsessed with pleasing every single listener in the world. So, this is a call to arms. Coldplay need our help. They desperately need a commercial flop to get back on track. So buy the album for yourself (I know I will, the whole package) but don't buy it as a present for friends and family (I contributed 5 copies of VIVA...). Seriously, let's just hope for the best. I count on "Up in flames" to restore my shaky faith. [thanks Coldplay1987]

I bought Parachutes the day it came out; own the Blue Room EP and have loved Coldplay since I first heard them in 2000. I would class myself as an old school fan. Above all, I love the band for their music - simple as. They do melody like no-one else can - they are artisans, geniuses at this. No other artist in recent times has such a massive back catalogue of songs with such complex chord sequences or lingering melodies that are so beautifully shaped to produce such wonderful, emotive work. The production and manner in which they deliver this has changed over the years, but to me that's a positive not something to fear. But the melody, the beautiful melody, is there at its core in everything they do. If you can't hear that within the punchy electro orchestration of Paradise to its lilting piano close, or the soaringly uplifting Every Teardrop... then more fool you. The rest of us will listen and enjoy every lovingly created second, appreciating these are stepping stones to the new material and not meant to usurp Fix You, Yellow etc. I wait in eager anticipation for studio versions of the epic Hurts Like Heaven and Charlie Brown, and other gems that no doubt await on MX (maybe even Princess of China with Rihanna's much maligned, but as yet unheard, cameo?!) ...My post count will indicate that I'm a visitor here rather than an active participant. But I have posted this because I'm frankly shocked at the extreme over-reaction on this forum which has even found its way onto site pieces on the front page. Where is the balance? I considered this to be a safe haven from typical 'net trolls and moaners - how wrong could I be. We are all entitled to our opinion; and thoughts about the band's "evolution" are clearly up for discussion on this forum. But some of you think the band owe you Parachutes or AROBTTH pt 2. If your taste can't accommodate the MX era then I'm truly sorry for you. The only thing I can recommend is sticking on the old LPs and recalling old times. To criticise the band, Eno, Rihanna or whoever without even hearing the new album, is frankly pompous and premature. It also disrespects the people on this board (and around the world) who are loving this new stuff. [thanks IpsRich]

I have been a gigantic fan of Coldplay since 2003, when I listened to AROBTTH for the first time...and hated it. Only to come running back 2 months later to completely wear the cd out. I have seen consistent evolution in the band with each album cycle. Rush of blood is my favorite album, viva a close second, followed by Parachutes, and leaving x&y a distant 4th. I wouldn't say I am unbiased with the critiques I am about to give about the new sound, because I have listened to 1000s of hours of this band am sincerely emotionally invested. I sincerely love "Every Teardrop...", and have a couple hundred listens already in the books. Having waited on pins and needles for "Paradise", while I am not worried, I am anxious to hear the sounds of the other songs on the album that we havent heard, and I hope they do not all sound like this song. Charlie Brown, Hurts Like Heaven, and Us Against seem to be instant classics. I tend to think, as much as Coldplay thinks decisions through, that Paradise was released because of its mainstream sound and ability to get airplay and expand the fanbase. The 3 previously mentioned songs would all be top 10 hits, and would've been easy to release and allow the band to remain at the same elevation in their career. Coldplay has never been ok with remaining at the same level though, and I believe Mylo Xyloto might end up being their best yet. We trust them right? They've never led us astray. [thanks codlbeliever47]

Been a literal massive fan of this band for years now, been to multiple shows as have alot of you. The people who are complaining to no end about the direction of MX need to stop acting like such pretentious assholes who swear they're these mega fans that have been listening to Coldplay "before they decided to go mainstream and put Rihanna on a record". First things first, Coldplay has been a massive mainstream success since Yellow came out, if they never put that song out, this forum would not exist. At this point in time the band is even more massive, when they first started out 10 years ago their sound was very stripped down, because they were a brand new band and didn't have the resources like they do now. This is quite obvious if you look at the lineage of the band and the albums. The sound CLEARLY matures. Parachutes was super stripped down, AROBTTH was definitely a louder album with them showing more tricks off, X&Y was the first time they really started experimenting with synth and such, and Viva la Vida was as close to a stadium rock / pop album as they had gotten to at that point. For those wishing they would go back to the "good ole days" the "Parachutes / AROBTTH days" your dreaming. Thank god they aren't. The albums were fantastic, some of my favorites and the content was clearly from a group of young kids who hadn't figured much of the world out yet and had nothing lose. I do NOT want a couple of 33 year old millionaires married to Gwyneth Paltrow writing a Parachutes. And for those who cry "no we dont wan't that, we just dont like this!" your either lying, or not giving them a chance...

...The path they are taking is no mistake, they are trying to adapt to a larger audience, one day this band is going to be performing mega stadium concerts and they need the ammo. For crying out loud U2 is one of Chris Martins main influence and look at the path that band has taken, so why does this surprise you? A good amount of you will say then that they aren't making music for the real fans or the old fans anymore then, these are a bunch of grown men with a job, with a different life then they had when they wrote every other album, every album evolves and keeps up with them, accept it. If you don't like the, feel free not to listen, you wont be alone. [thanks ebarker77]

I have to say that I generally agree with pretty much everything the original poster said. I haven't hidden the fact on the forum that even though I might actually enjoy all of the songs to some extent (besides Paradise, which just makes me shake my head and wonder who the hell they are), I don't really like anything they've done lately for any of the reasons that I originally fell in love with Coldplay. That's the part that really makes me sad, because most other bands I like that have been around for just as long as Coldplay have certainly grown and changed like Coldplay has, but has retained some sort of thread of sonic similarity and maintained the same goals and outlook throughout the years. I don't feel the same is true with Coldplay anymore, but that's just my opinion. To be honest, I started to feel this way back in 2008 with VLV, even though I think that's a great, solid album. I just started to feel their shift then, and I guess in that sense, I'm not at all surprised by what's happening now. This is the thing, though. I definitely get fed up of people expressing their opinions in either direction like they're definitively exactly what's going on. The only thing we all know is that they're changing--beyond that, it's all opinions. I'm just as guilty of this as everyone else, but in the end, we don't know their motives for doing what they're doing. I have my suspicions that the band is letting the people who really rely on them to make money have a big part in the decision-making, but who knows? We can't really say what "them" is. A huge change in direction doesn't necessarily mean they've lost themselves. What it comes down to is that for whatever reason, I'm not a big supporter of the change in direction, not because it's change, but because I don't like the particular direction. A good example of this is X&Y--I find that album to be pretty different than the first two, but I still love it because I so happened to like that direction (and it also seemed to fit my opinion of what "Coldplay" is, whereas VLV didn't as much, and the sounds of MX really don't). I certainly don't think we should box an artist, and I think some of us are. But I also think we're within our rights to want certain things from them, whether or not we receive them. I wasn't around for the AROBTTH release, but this is definitely true. It all comes down to personal taste, in the end. It's just that this time around, I find it interesting that so many fans are feeling the same way--with other eras, there were certainly a few that gave up and left, some eras more than others, but this time it seems to be more of a mass exodus, or at least a very large group of people that are on the verge of giving up if the album turns out in a certain way and if the band does certain things. This is what interests me--I don't think any band wants this to happen, for such huge sections of their fanbase to be dissatisfied to the point of giving up, even if they are gaining new fans from other places. Given the types of new fans they seem to be aiming for, they should realize that the way the industry is and the theories on what this up-and-coming generation is like these days, it's much harder to hold fans' attention and keep them for the long run. This isn't to say that they should create music just to keep us all happy, because they don't owe us a thing. But it's an interesting, risky choice, I think. The bottom line is that I don't think it's about the band making the same record over and over, because we'd be whining just as much about that. Personally, I think it's about striking a balance between change and progression while still carrying on with the original things you set out to do and be. [thanks ApproximatelyInfinite]

Coldplay have revealed that Rihanna features on the track Princess Of China from the forthcoming album Mylo Xyloto. The song features the singer's vocals, and Chris Martin revealed it took him some time before he could pluck up the courage to ask her to appear on the track - all this came from an article via The Sun in the early hours of this morning and then confirmed via the official site just hours later.

In just over a year Rihanna has already teamed up with Nicki Minaj, Eminem, Drake, Britney Spears, David Guetta, Kanye West and Avril Lavigne. How do you think her collaboration with Coldplay will compare? Can you judge before the track is heard?

Read on after the jump/below for your early comments. What do you make of the collaboration? Let us know in the Princess Of China sub-forum and also the MyloXyloto sub-forum on the messageboard now. Below are some of your comments so far... the general concensus? You're not happy!

We gauge Coldplayers' reaction to the news that Rihanna will feature on Mylo Xyloto (Princess Of China):

That's one freaking hell of a joke. i hate rihanna. why would they even think about having a hellish voice on their album. i thought great bands like coldplay would never do a duet. the song featuring kylie minogue is ok. but i'd rather they stay pure as a band. [thanks liu273420683]

I honestly don't see what the big deal is. Rhianna is a pretty good pop artist, but all the stupid music elitists are going to disagree with me on that based on the sole fact that she sings pop music. The complaint that Coldplay is becoming more mainstream doesn't make sense to me either. They've always been pretty damn mainstream (at least after Speed of Sound), and being mainstream doesn't make something inherently bad anyway. [thanks Mister Snig]

However I don´t get it how a lot of people seem to be surprised by this...after all Chris has been singing praises for mainstream artists for YEARS (girls aloud anyone?), so it is clear to me it was just a matter of time before they incorporated some of that in their albums, however to me it is still unmistakably Coldplay and that´s what matters. We don´t know yet how big or small Rhianna´s part in the song is, so we don´t know whether it´s gonna sound worse live. I think she just has a cameo in the song. And Coldplay being pop? Well I always thought Yellow was PRETTY pop all in all and definitely mainstream, so I might be wrong here but the new stuff does not shock me much: it´s just an evolution of their sound. [thanks valypan]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - I mean to give credit to Chris I think she is one of the better female vocalists of today. But I don't want that SLUT SEX POP GARBAGE on my Coldplay album!! : F-ing ridiculous. X( I'm beyond disappointed. It makes me wanna badly change my favorite band to Radiohead. :'( Edit: although they had Jay-Z on lost so. i guess I can't really say much. He's really talented though and Chris is good friends with him so it's different for me. i guess it could be worse. I just hope there is a version without her like the one without Jay of Lost! Maybe it'll be really good and surprise us. I kind doubt it though. [thanks Fix42YellowClocks]

I'm ready to put my head in the oven. Just what? Seriously. What is this world I have woken up to this morning? Since when do Coldplay duet on an album track? Since when do they regard Rihanna to be a good artist? Since when did PoC need tampering with? Since when has Coldplay sold out?! Jeez. At least I can say I saw them when they were still good. [thanks Nattatouille]

I just... I just don't know if I can sing along to Rihanna. I really don't think I can. This is horribly heart breaking. I guess Charlie Brown and Hurts Like Heaven are the only two songs that I can look forward to really getting into. A Hopeful Transmission, M.M.I.X., U.F.O., Up In Flames, and DLIBYH will have to be huge hits for this album to even touch VLV. [thanks Wickett]

It sucks because it's not going to be the same when they play it live. It's not like they're going to be able to bring Rihanna around with them everywhere. It makes the album eternally incomplete when it's not purely the band. As for the recording, the song might still be kick-ass -- but I won't be able to experience in it's full glory live. [thanks Skin&Bones]

I just find a lot of Coldplay fans to be hypocrites. Now let me tack on the disclaimer that I'm just as excited for this album as you are, if not more. Sure I might not voice it as much sometimes, but I do like to stay down to earth. Coldplay is a top 40 tier pop band and it's pretty obvious that they don't have the best reputation. You "fans" will literally suck logs out of Chris, Will, Guy, and Johnny's assholes and eat it up. In other words, you're devout. Sure ETIAW isn't the best song in the world, it lacks a sense of lyrical depth and interesting instrumentation. You will wank other that song to kingdom come, but the minute the band is associated with one of their top 40 peers outside Coldplay's genre of music, be it Jay-Z, Rihanna, etc. you will rule it out as a pile of shit. In my eyes, that is hypocrisy at its finest. I'm not telling you to like Jay-Z or Rihanna, I'm telling you to open up your eyes and ears and view the music as it is. Whoever is featured on the track, whoever produces it, doesn't matter. Names are arbitrary. Look at the vocals as they are. It's not like you have their beats or their styles on the album. It's all the band, Eno, and Dravs in the end. Backing vocals aren't a bad thing. Duets aren't a bad thing. [thanks admnistramation]

If this happens the song should be renamed Princess of Caribbean and the bass would turn into a ukelele. then jay z would feature also to finish the screwing and will i am would remix all the crap together before the release. a we so me. i can even imagine. [thanks Teco]

It sounds great. I'm not really a fan of Rhianna's stuff but I have to admit that I bought 'Russian Roulette' off iTunes because I was on a long bus journey and it was stuck in my head... look, all bad excuses for me having paid for her music aside- I think we should wait and see instead of jumping to the conclusion that it will suck balls. She has a great voice, and if the lads got her to sing 'differently' - as chris puts it- to suit the song, then I'm very much open to that interpretation. [thanks Bonus_mosher]

i am pretty excited for this! collaborations can be such a great thing (take Gorillaz for example), plus Rihanna's not a bad singer at all. Plus, to everyone complaining that Coldplay have gone too mainstream or pop: Coldplay have always been a POP band. ALWAYS. They were mainstream all the time, don't pretend else. Only now they're incorporating more synths instead of acoustic guitars, what's the problem? I mean listen to FUCKING YELLOW or SCIENTIST - it's all C O M M E R C I A L. [thanks VivaGroaning]

I think Rihanna's great. She's beautiful, she has a great voice and she has lots of appeal.. BUT GET THE FUCK OFF MY COLDPLAY ALBUM. Argh. This news along with Paradise is making me really upset. I haven't been this disheartened by Coldplay since Parachutes. Grow on me, damnit! [thanks Kiame]

Guys, I admire your strong views, but I really think we should give Coldplay some credit before we berate them for something like this. Sure, Rihanna is a pop singer, but Coldplay got her because they believe her voice would suit the song. They're not trying to appeal to a mainstream audience (I'd argue all of their albums are pretty mainstream), they're not deliberately following trends, they're just expressing themselves musically, as they have every right to. For all we know, Princess of China could be awesome! Adding a bit of variety to the vocals may be good! (I like all their songs, from Sparks to Amsterdam through to Paradise and ETIAW, just for a scope of my views). Of course, if you hate Rihanna and her voice, you have every right to be annoyed- but if you're angry because she's a 'pop' act, let's just hold judgment!Oh well, what do I know!?! [thanks F1-77]

F**k! I don't like this, is rubbish! I was so happy when i saw that Princess of China made it on MX, but now im not so sure, I just can't imagine Rihanna's voice in this or any Coldplay song, is just not right! Can you imagine Kesha or Katy Perry singing with Thom Yorke in a Radiohead song? Absolutely not! I hope this isn't official. [thanks thomas.paul]

SHE IS GOING TO BE ON THE SONG. WTF. OKAY JUST TO MAKE IT CLEAR, I DON'T HATE RIHANNA. It's just that, chances are, the song with Rihanna on it is going to sound extremely pop, and no longer the Coldplay sound I used to love. I'm not saying I'm completely true because Coldplay might just surprise me (heck, they did it with wa wa wa waterfall), but it just sounds like Coldplay is abandoning their old style and heading to pop. If they insist that this is who they are and they're not doing it for fame, then I'm sorry, this is not the Coldplay I loved. I'm disappointed. I loved Coldplay so much, and it's like bidding a lover goodbye. [thanks eff-exx]

I think it'd be better if they chose a lesser known band/singer. I remember The Pierces were going to make an appearance before the old album was scrapped, which I think would have been a much better decision. Hopefully this is only a rumour. Or, if it isn't, let's hope she's declined. [thanks HandyAndy136]

I haven't had any doubt about what Coldplay does until now. It's really wrong kind of direction. After watching the festival songs I said to myself 'wooah told ya, it's still epic'. But ETIAW (I love Etiaw but still, it's different from what I expected), Paradise, Rihanna, and Jay-Z earlier? Come on. I'm mad at Chris. A little. I know that the rest of band would go into opposite direction. Will is just a simple guitarist who loves classics and listens to good music. Maybe that's why he was so harsh to all the songs. But why did he approve all of what happened here? I may begin to like Paradise. Who knows... But I still think it wasn't a good idea because I'm very objective right now and I think it's a plain pop song. [thanks The Champion]

Having thought about it. It can't really be that bad, it's not as if they've asked Rihanna to re-write the song, it's still going to be fundamentally the same. If you don't like it, just wait until we get a high quality live rip, because Rihanna obviously won't be touring with them for just one song. [thanks Tom8]

This is the SADDEST and most Angriest I've ever been as a Coldplay fan!!! I don't want that horrible high pitched voice on my Coldplay music!!! They could have at least gotten a talented singer!!! Beyond depressed now!! Hey CHRIS, STOP asking all these pop and rap singers to sing on your records!!!! Stop alienating your passionate fan base!! Chris's relationship with Jay Z has clearly ruined him. All thanks to the biggest perpetrator of Coldplay destruction: Gwyneth Paltrow. It all goes back to her. Yoko herself. From her, he met Jay Z and Beyonce, which led to him to work with Kanye West, and now he went and did the unthinkable and put that wretched Rihanna on the new album. I am devastated. I usually just read comments, but this is my third comment on this thread alone. If a duet was really necessary, why not someone with REAL talent, like a Lilly Allen or Adele even. Why this fake fraud Rihanna who pretends to be a rockstar all of a sudden? Anyone else completely depressed and deflated by this dreadful news? [thanks VivaLaColdplay90]

Although I'm not a fan, she is a pop artist, and she is VERY good at being a pop artist, who says she is not allowed to give alternative/rock a go? It would not surprise me if this duet is amazing, it's Coldplay, they can pull it off. On another note, Hayley Williams is a Punk artist who did a R&B duet, and made it amazing (or perhaps better)... [thanks danieltmiller]

Thanks. Rihanna's music is pure shit, Rihanna's voice is pure shit. What the hell happened to Coldplay?!? Why can't Will sing the parts of Rihanna? With her Princess of China will be shit. ajpdsbhugfpodshufpbgvos. I'm so disappointed. For me the album will consists of 13 titles instead of 14. [thanks [Coldplay]Andi]

I think something is obvious - one of the next singles will surely be Princess Of China now, it's inescapable, but I guess it will be a great song, Rihanna isn't the worst choice in the world and I'm sure if Chris says she sounds different on that song, he means so. It's good to have variety and I'm predicting it won't be the only collaboration on this album (someone has already mentioned he can hear The Pierces in 'Paradise' chorus, while Leo Cohen is bound to be in his own sample!) [thanks Miha]

In my head I tried to justify what they have been doing lately, but this is getting ridiculous. It all started with the Jay-Z version of Lost which I just hated. Now Rihanna? I mean, yeah, she's not bad, looks and all, vocal skills above average, but don't they realize she will be forgotten in a couple of years? Whereas I would love to see Coldplay alive and kicking for their LP8 tour. Dear Coldplay, please stop all this nonsense. Mr. Buckland would kindly kick Chris in the nuts please?? [thanks pansonic]

Someone, please introduce Chris to good music. It seems he doesn't know that in the world exists something more profound, deep and beautiful than pop. I don't want to sound snobbish, but the reason I listen to pop music in very small amounts is that it's plain and wears off too fast. It's usually about a girl liking a boy and vice versa - same old story which got old in stone age perhaps. Pop is too simple, too literal. And that what influences Coldplay now. Is it just me, or when they listened to Radiohead, Jeff Buckley and Echo & the Bunnymen their music was far more good? And if they needed so desperately someone to sing on PoC why not collaborating with someone less famous and maybe more interesting as an artist? Or Rihanna is the only one in the world who can sing? I don't know, Adele seems huge now in the Stated, Florence Welch is quite popular... So why, why, WHY Rihanna? [thanks lafinion]

Coldplay's new single Paradise has been given its world premiere on UK radio at 7.50am today (September 12th). The track was played on the BBC's Radio 1, Radio 2 and 6 Music, as well as Absolute Radio and Xfm. Paradise has been made available as a digital download at the same time, and also features on Coldplay's official YouTube channel this morning. Chris Moyles (Radio 1) also said on-air that Coldplay were making a video all day today but stopped short of saying it was for the Paradise single... more on this as we get it.

Please vote out of 10 on how you rate the song in our latest poll (the early poll results are after the jump). Your reviews have been coming in thick and fast in the last few hours - we appreciate your comments on what you thought of the song at the dedicated Paradise sub-forum. So far we have had some very mixed reviews - after the jump are some of your early thoughts...

Meanwhile, Chris Martin has revealed to The Sun that Rihanna contributed guest vocals to the forthcoming Princess Of China song: "The album is designed as a whole piece," he told the paper. "It has boy and girl lead characters and top of our list for the girl part was Rihanna… but it took a while to pluck up the courage to ask her." (We will have the full Coldplayers' feedback for you later...)

Your early messageboard comments on the new single 'Paradise':

My opinion: 6/10. It's the same thing over and over again. Although it is catchy, it's equally annoying. It's too synthy and Johnny's guitar isn't unpacked until the very end. And while they claimed it to be a narrative, it doesn't tell much of a story. The lyrics are cheesy. But heck, I still have trouble hating any Coldplay song. It does have some cool bass, and it sounds like Champion isn't giving his set any mercy. This song seems to follow a similar path to Every Teardrop, but the predecessor is more tolerable in my opinion. I just can't deal with no guitar for 4/5 of the song. Despite this song being a flop in my mind, I still have high hopes for Mylo Xyloto. After all, four out of the six songs we've heard so far [from the album] have been absolutely genius. [thanks Rorbot]

For sure not my kind of music and don't like the Hip-Hop/R'n'B vibe in it, altought I respect the brave of the band. For now, after three listenings, its ok. Not a song to remember and no song which I want to hear live on a concert instead of Fix you, The Scientist, Strawberry Swing and so on. [thanks Major_Love]

I gave it a 2. I'm just...really let down. I've never rated anything that low, not even a title or album art. I don't even know how I'd rate it if it was done by another band (it certainly doesn't sound like something from one I'd really choose to listen to) and I heard it randomly on the radio or something--I just can't get over that this is a SINGLE, technically a first one at that, from one of my absolute favorite bands. [thanks ApproximatelyInfinite]

As a long time Coldplay fan, I've learned not to compare their new material with their old stuff. simply because the songs they wrote at those time were from experiences and ideas of that time. So I don't think that kind of thing can be recaptured if it could then those songs wouldn't be as unique and great as they were. With all that said I love the song and Jonny's riff at the end brings out the whole thing for me. [thanks Spies88]

7. It's really good, could be better. It's unoriginal, reminds me of everything in the charts right now, and although that's not necessarily a bad thing, they have the capacity to do much better, and the "para para paradise..." gets on my nerves. [thanks QuestionsOfScience]

It's clear: "Paradise" - made for new, not old fans. It hit me after hearing the reviews on the radio. THIS IS WHY CHARLIE BROWN WASN'T RELEASED FIRST. Coldplay have deliberately created this single and marketed it first in an undoubtedly deliberate attempt to capture new audiences, as traditional fans would have already heard the new songs via live shows and webcasts (and hence would buy the album regardless). Brilliant idea. So to have established colplay fans being a little surprised by it and feeling a little underwhelmed was all part of the risk. The universe makes sense. [thanks tauiwi]

Its for new fans as Speed of Sound or Viva La Vida were... not more, not less. Just wait for MX to see the real songs. Singles are always a bit commercial. But still I see the old Coldplay in Paradise. This song is still Coldplay and even THIS is more complex than Backstreet Boys. Just for naming these two in one sentence should be a reason for a lifetime ban here. You don´t like it? Okay. But seriously, its good. A single is for the mainstream for buying this album. And the mainstream will like it. Viva La Vida ist even more simple than Paradise and in my opinion Paradise is better. AS ALWAYS the Coldplay fans will be listen more to those songs AROUND the singles, like Charlie Brown, Hurts Like Heaven. [thanks GTskilled]

This is NOT pop. You have to analyze the structure of the song and the influences that contains. It's the same alternative mode that they use, plus some of the sound influences of VLV, and the hip-hop mode from this new style about graffiti, street, etc. I like so much this song, the final is amazing. Maybe the Jonny performance would be before in the song, but it's fine. And again, if you prefer BSB [backstreet Boys] pop than Coldplay alternative mode, go away and listen it. Stop being anoying here. [thanks Blockflote]

David [Rossi] is awesome and the piano and bass are good. But the lyrics, chorus, hip-hop beat and lack of any guitar until the end just ruins it. Every Teardrop is a Waterfall is definitely better. If this keeps up I will have to change my favorite artist to Radiohead. [thanks Fix42YellowClocks]

I'm PARAlysed by this song. What on earth are they doing, and what's with these words repetitions all the time? If they intend to make the song catchy, they FAIL. They just make it sooo annoying. Dude I'm afraid of their new album. [thanks Twisted mind]

I think the song is great from what I've heard of it. It's just as good as any of their older music. Perhaps they just want to appeal to more people now, because Chris has said it time and time again that he just wants to play to more people than ever before. I mean, if you're going to bitch then all of the previous albums are yours to listen to, so please go do that. As far as the "autotuned" part is considered, just because you know what it means doesn't mean that you know what it does. It doesn't sound "autotuned" at all. It's just chopped up and put together. You have to make everything sound perfect on a studio quality track, which explains the chopping. Everything can't be done in one take. And I'm sure that if/when Chris performs this song, it will be just as good as the recording. And the para-para-para-dise and wa-wa-wa-wa-waterfall parts are such smart techniques of making a song catchy. Some of you might not understand that, but that's fine, your loss. [thanks Forty Two]

The truth is that they are growing to that level that every fan that loved them from the beginning should be hoping they would get to. That is exactly where they are headed. If they have to throw out a couple catchy songs like this then so be it. They are a class act and deserve what is coming to them which is greatness. p.s. please NEVER compare them to backstreet boys. [thanks c0ldplay420]

I have just heard PARADISE by Coldplay and I liked it very much (my first reaction). Female voices in the chorus - probably the Pierces. Just beautiful. I felt like HEAVEN when listening to that song. I liked the intro wondering whether that was the new one from Coldplay as the song started out of the blue without introduction and I was unsure of the time it would be played (at x.50 BST). But it was PARADISE and I really felt like HEAVEN. Truly beautiful. But having had the chorus with the Pierces on my mind since I heard it, I have come to realize that I might get tired of it after listening to it for some hours in a row. [thanks nancyk58]

I like the song. It's a pop song, and pop songs are catchy. But it's nothing more than a pop song to me. There is no feeling or depth. What happened to a song like The Scientist or Fix You? Those songs make me ball my fucking eyes out. I'm actually really disappointed. I didn't need another pop song to listen to. If I wanted those I'd just turn on the radio. I wanted a Coldplay song. A song that made me forget about shit, and just focus on music for a few minutes. And for everyone who will think I'm hating on them because I want AROBTTH Part 2, that's not the case. I just want Coldplay back. [thanks rainplay]

I don't like it because the lyrics are just...awful. And the music. I don't like the music, either. I think it probably has a lot to do with the fact that I'm losing the ability to relate to Coldplay's music. And they aren't telling interesting stories in the lyrics, either. The music isn't interesting and nothing Coldplay releases seems to have any depth anymore. I understand that they want to try new things, and that's cool. They've changed as people and as a band, and that's okay. But they're also being influenced by other things as they're writing lyrics and music, and that's sometimes...just awful. It sounds like they're going for catchy radio songs, and...well, if this says anything, I don't listen to the radio. it's 1 am and i have no clue what i'm saying anymore. [thanks The Mad Hatter]

Wow! This must be the most emotional experience I have ever heard with a first listen...it was amazing! My analyze-mode went out of the window 4 seconds into the songs. Beautiful lyrics: so hopeful ! I will cry like a baby when I hear this live. [thanks valypan]

Ugh, this was a massive let down. I can't believe how lazy the lyrics are. Add to that how soulless it all sounds... I'm not a fan of ETIAW, but it's actually a lot more listenable than this IMO, which I wasn't expecting. Got to admit, I'm really not expecting a whole lot from this album now, which is a bummer. I just listened again, and noticed the lyric "every tear a waterfall"... seriously? I don't even know what to say. [thanks RunForTheHills]

I hate it. :' ( Sounds like One Republic, which is a terrible terrible terrible thing. The hip hop beat? The dreadful overproduction? Don't even get me started on the chorus. I have tears in my eyes I am so heartbroken right now. I entered this with an open mind- I didn't love Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, but I was pleased with Major Minus and Moving to Mars. But this has annihilated my joy. With two bad songs this album will NEVER be a masterpiece. I never wanted to turn into "that fan" that turns their back on a band for taking a new direction, but my time has come. Thanks for letting me vent. I'll muster the strength to listen to it again and then post a more, erm, less emotional reply later. [thanks postcardsfromfaraway]

It would be nice if they'd quit making songs for 13 year old girls and get some edge back. The days of GPASUYF are long gone, it appears. Major Minus live is obviously is an exception. Still, if I want to listen to synthy, poppy songs about butterflies, teardrops, paradise etc, I'll put on Owl Cty. I expect more from this band. [thanks sh45]

Listened to it twice. Second time, I mentally replaced all the Para Para bits with one long Paradise. It was much better. Honestly, a little too much on the pop side. The song also doesn't flow as much as usual in a Coldplay song, it seem to be in bits and pieces. All in all though, decent song. Kinda worried that they think this is single material when they have CB and HLH, but oh well. Also, I like how Will has more and more backing vocals. Hopefully he gets a solo part somewhere on the album. [thanks hux90]

You know what, I really don't care anymore. This song should an embarrassment to every longtime Coldplay fan on the planet. This is coming from someone who loved Viva la Vida, enough to consider it even better than AROBTTH. Honestly, it's made Every Tear bearable. [thanks Osaka Sun]

Absolutely loved the studio version. I didn't vote 10 cause I never do but I voted 9. THOSE STRINGS! And the way bass & drums appear through the song, the vocals, the electric vibe... Amazing to me. So sorry there are people who don't like it, I hope it will grow. But I really hate the comments that said there was 'no work' or something like that. You might not like the song, but this is almost disrespectful. [thanks Lu'kaa]

I'mma punch Chris for including a line about 'Every Teardrop is a Waterfall'. And repeating the 'para' as he did with 'wa-wa-waterfall'. Does he have a hidden stammer or something? It's actually gimicky and annoying. If it wasn't for these two bugbears it would be a lot higher. For now I'm going to give it a 7 because I actually like it and it's not an offence to my ears unlike ETIAW. ETA: I'm probably rating it higher than I would normally as it is so much of an improvement over ETIAW that I feel happier than I would if this was the first track I'd heard off Mylo Xyloto. [thanks Nattatouille]

Okay, finally listened to it... Let me just say that the song is way different then I imagined. I like it but don't love it. The beginning is amazing, the lyrics could of been a lot better, and Chris repeating the same words over and over again.. ARG. There are parts I love in the song and parts I don't like. [thanks l0wxo2]

It's funny how negative the majority of the comments seem to be on this board, but then you take a look at the YouTube comments section for the official release. I'd venture to say 95% of the comments are positive. Serious opinion: it should not be the next single. But to everyone complaining that it's got weak lyrics, remember that it's not technically supposed to be a standalone track. With this being a concept album and all, this is like getting chapter three of a book with virtually no context of how it fits into the larger story (which, again, is why it shouldn't be a single, at least not before the album's release). I'm not saying it's necessarily their best song ever, but give them the benefit of the doubt and see how it plays with the rest of the album before tearing it apart (see what I did there?). And for the record, I really do like it. [thanks Ostrich]

I find my opinions to be mixed for this one. I think that it's a bold move on their part to produce a more mellow (work with me here) track as it's single. If you compare it to viva la vida, well, viva was unbelievably big and probably kept them in the top 10 for months on end (almost 3/4 of a year if i recall..) Paradise is unique in that there are many instances of boosted tonal quality that just raise you up, almost matching the cadences of the string section. It's also unique to my ear beyond the energy, in that some really odd chords and progressions are being played. I think it's great that they're making another track similar (in some ways, to me) to the scientist. I personally see some overlaps. The song is growing on me. I think some of the lyrics are weak, but i can see it fitting into mylo xyloto as a very nice "mild" track compared to the magnitude of HLH/CB, with element of a quiet and maybe stripped UATW/DLIBYH. Scale of 1-10 i'd give it a 6.5-7...though it's been playing on repeat in my head this entire post...and the entirety of my university work tonight.. And we go.. PS charlie brown or HLH would've probably bought them more airtime. we shall see. I think one of those is coming out as a single in due time. [thanks thefox]

I just went to check iTunes to see if they'd put it up early, and they had! couldn't believe it. anyway, Listened to it with my iBeats headphones so it would be crystal clear and I actually really like it. It's definitely different- I don't understand it as a choice for the new single, I don't think it's necessarily a 'single' but it's definitely going to grow on me. oh, also - People saying 'it's not like fix you, or the scientist...' go listen to fix you, or the scientist? it's a totally different direction and that should be welcomed. If they fell back on old tricks- they'd have fizzled out and they wouldn't be where they are today. [thanks Bonus_mosher]

Coldplay is capable of SO MUCH better than this. Anyone who's heard their back catalog would honestly know that this (Paradise), while alright, is really nothing in comparison to what they've achieved before (Yes, even the X&Y era). With all the experimentation they've been doing, there's really so much potential to get even better. It's like they're now applying their "successful formula of Viva La Vida" and trying to make a song purposely for crowds to singalong with all the "ooh~" and stuff. Paradise and ETIAW strike me that they were written with the intention of making a big singalong or big hit. Even Charlie Brown. Not with the intention of making something meaningful, or letting a song develop naturally and somehow become everyone's favorite. Just trying to make a song popular for the sake of making it popular. [thanks cephaus]

I don't get all the "hatred" (maybe that's a bit too harsh). What's wrong about the sound? That it fits perfectly into today's world? That more people than before will like Coldplay? Sorry people, saying that giving 10/10 makes us "12 year olds" is such an easy thing to say...I'm sure Coldplay will have great success with that song, and if you do not like it, bah - are they gonna care? Looking at the votes for the poll, almost half of us are 12 year olds, I'm pretty sure that I don't care about it - I still love the song! [thanks LocoMH]

As a massive fan of ETIAW (can't understand why so many don't like it, it's such a majestic, uplifting song), I have to admit to being a little disappointed with Paradise. I, like so many others on here, really struggle to even type words like that, but as well as being devoted fans I think we do have to be honest. I really like the music and I think the strings and melody of the verse are really cool, but for me I expected more lyrically. We were told this was a 'narrative' song, so I really thought there would be more of a story here, which in turn would form a part of the bigger story of Mylo Xyloto. But it actually feels very thin in terms of what it actually tells us, by itself or as part of a larger work, and does unfortunately pass you by like radio-fillers Bruno Mars and Owl City. I don't think for one minute that we should worry about MX, as Chris Martin has more talent in his little finger than most musicians have in their entire bodies, and I don't think we should ever criticise such great artists for creating and producing the art they want to. MX songs like HLH, CB, UATW, ETIAW and MM are all great, and UIF sounds awesome, so we're safe. I guess we just expect a little bit more from a song that must have been in gestation with our favourite band for ages - but maybe Paradise will be a grower. It left me quite cold on first listen, but in the last hour I have warmed to it more. Let's hope it gets hotter and hotter. [thanks Adam84]

I gave it 8, I've only listened 5 times so far so it might grow on me a bit more too. I don't hate it by any means but I wouldn't agree with the "epic" description that has been bandied about. I love the strings, very Richard Ashcroft/ The Verve who I am a huge fan of and the oooh oohs are Christmas lights, I think we just have to accept that they are going more MOR. to try and appeal to the masses and maybe as they get older haha. [thanks Scusi]

I've listened 5 or 6 times. Each time I favored it more. The first one minute of the song is beautiful. Very feel good(imagine what the video will be) The middle part is pop, yeah. The last minute or so, when Johnny's guitar kicks in does it for me. I have to admit, it's quite a surprise at the first listens. Until you really give it a better listen. Underneath it all, I still hear Coldplay. [thanks postcards]

My thoughts before the first listen were "It had better not have anything like the 'wa-wa-wa-wa-waterfall' like ETIAW", and unfortunately, it did. I liked the start of the song, and the finish (Moyles ruined my first listen to the end, cheers), however the middle has poor lyrics again and a very repetitive tone. But having read alot of the comments, I think I agree with both sides of the argument. It's different from the Coldplay of old, maybe too different, but you don't get anywhere by standing still; they're moving forward. This song is for the pop crowd, the single which puts MX on the map for the new generation, who've maybe doubted Coldplay before, or not given them a chance. For Coldplay, the whole game is about the album, not the singles. But at the same time, I think I would've preferred another song, e.g. Hurts Like Heaven or Charlie Brown, or another new one. For now though, I shall trust Coldplay's judgement. 6 from me. [thanks JamesR2]

I was depressed before I'd even heard Paradise. Was I the only one expecting this? It seemed clear they weren't gonna do a 'pure Coldplay' for their second single, because obviously they need a bigger audience, people. Come on, they've run out of money. Anyway. Yesterday I liked the lyrics, but now they turned out to be repetitive and even feature every tear- SHUT UP! Ooh ooh's have become their trick, which is getting embarrassing. Para-para is also.... not my thing. But I really love the rest, actually. It has a huge build. I got goosebumps at the second listen, which is a great sign. To me it's far better than ETIAW, maybe just because I was prepared this time. Love the tempo, strings, bass, piano(!) and the great guitar. The off-sounding tone at the end and the odd chord somewhere halfway are very, very charming. Chris's voice - awesome. He sounds a little hoarse and more mature, it's gorgeous. That voice is still my favourite in the world and I keep falling for it. I can't help it. I think if I don't let the negative comments get to me, I will very much enjoy this song. Call it my guilty pleasure. Er, I gave it an 8. (But then Politik would be 100.) [thanks Blue Nails]

Erm . . . well, it's different from what I expected. I wish they would have stripped away some of the synths and just left Guy's bass and Chris' piano--because underneath everything they sound amazing. All of the synth stuff (especially during the chorus) just makes it seem rather . . . soulless. I honestly think that this song could have been so much better had they stripped away the synths completely. I have a friend who loves Owl City. He would love this song. And that's not what I've come to expect from Coldplay. I honestly expected there to be more lyrics than this . . . what lyrics there are aren't terrible, but there's far too little of them. Repeating the same verse multiple times does not count. I don't agree with the 'para-para-paradise' bit either, I hope Paradise and ETiaW are the only songs that use that. Chorus = missed opportunity. Enough said. Also, Jonny's guitar is featured far too little. Bring him out there, man! You have one of the best guitarists in the world! Use him! Now, on to the things I do like: Chris sounds amazing in this song (except for the chorus; it's so wrapped and layered in synths and he's in such a high register that it's a bit annoying) I love that he's singing in a lower octave in the beginning. Will sounds amazing on the backing vocals (as usual), and the full-band 'oh oh oh ooh's' never fail to make me smile. For some reason, I really, really love the 'lalala' bit. And despite what some people have said about including the 'every tear's a waterfall' lyric, I actually think it's a nice touch. It ties the songs together. It's far from the best lyric Coldplay has ever done, but it's a nice touch. I also like the line 'so she ran away in her sleep/And dreamed of paradise'. Overall I give it 6/10. I love that the guys are experimenting and trying new things with their fancy Eno-fiers and stuff, but I'm beginning to get worried that they've gone a little too far. It seems to me that they're focusing more on making what lyrics/instrument parts they have sound better by layering on synths instead of going back into the studio with just a microphone or acoustic guitar, or sitting down together and rewriting a stubborn lyric. With the exception of Major Minus and Moving to Mars, I haven't been impressed with anything Coldplay has done in this new era. I'm sorry that I have to say that because I really am that fan that would stick with them if they decided to write opera or country or something, but I'm afraid that they're losing the beauty and power of their lyrics and instrumental parts in favor of something that will appeal to the masses (and draw in more fans). [thanks ColdplayingfromKansas]

Not much has been revealed at this time about the exact meaning of Mylo Xyloto, although there are developments from last night's TV appearance in Paris which will be televised in October. According to Coldplayers, the band discussed the meaning of Mylo Xyloto, Coldplayer Lu'kaa saying: "Yesterday in an interview in the french TV show Chris explained that Mylo Xyloto was just an imaginary language, with two words: Mylo and Xyloto. It's about creating a new word, from nothing, kind of like Google. How I know it? Well I was there!"

For those of you (most) still trying to figure out the possibly meaning behind this title following The Oracle's confirmation that the title was not randomly made up without meaning, it’s a little unclear — though Latin derivations of “Mylo” tend to suggest that it is about something falling apart. (Meanwhile, “Xyloto” has been used to refer to a family of insects.) Could this be some sort of statement meant to suggeest people coming together in the midst of what are difficult times for the world? Until Coldplay speak out about it themselves, we will probably not know for sure. Perhaps there is a tie with the colorful art, which seems to indicate there's beauty in destruction which seems a fitting theme for the darker times we live in.

Now, the latest theory is that Mylo Xyloto is actually an alien - definately an outer space concept, but Coldplayers claim to see an alien face on the album cover. What are your thoughts? Both about MX being an alien and about the influence of U.F.O. in the new album?

Even The Oracle remains tight lipped on the answer, recently saying: "This could win the prize for the most asked question in the shortest space of time! All I will say is that if the band are asked it as many times as I have been asked, an answer will appear soon enough! I'd rather not be the revealer on this occasion. I will dispel a couple of suggestions I received though. It's not been randomly made up with no meaning at all nor is it a foreign language. Everyone has been so patient so far with all the teasing that has been going on during the past 3 months so I'm sure we can hang on a little longer..." (August 15th).

Ok I know this might sound a bit far out, but here are my thoughts. I think Mylo Xyloto might be an alien, for various reasons: 1- Aliens, U.F.O., stand to play a big part in the story of MX. I think they are going to be the good guys (light blinking to to tell me it´s alright) and will maybe help the two main protagonists in the end (hopeful transmissions). They might possibly end up flying away with the aliens in the end (up with the birds); 2- It would also tie in with Moving To Mars. Maybe it was not a metaphor at all. Maybe it is about the protagonists moving away from planet earth, after everything has gone up in flames; 3- It would explain the weird name Xyloto, which would be a good extraterrestrial name... I definitely hope there is nothing about alien abductions (scary!) hehe I still think the aliens are friendly and good. I interpret that sentence as just simply meaning that a sign came from outer space to let our heroes know that help is on its way and everything is gonna be alright. [thanks valypan]

Perhaps this "alien" is exiled and sent elsewhere (which would explain Paradise and PoC). This character, let's call it Mylo Xyloto, is confused as to who he/she really is (explaining the lyric "I struggle with the feeling that my life isn't mine" from HLH). Maybe they're not an alien at all, but rather a normal person living in, what is to them, an alien world. Maybe the album is about retribution and finding one's place in the world...getting back to one's roots a conquering hero. Kind of a Kal-El thing. [thanks danmets21]

Mylo is an artist in the UK who displays his work in public areas (like graffiti, posters of pictures or diagrams, etc.) Xyloto is a play on the word this artist uses for cameras. It';s about the use of alternative media to get out the real messages that need to be seen and heard by the public as opposed to the mainstream m... SAW THAT on internet. [thanks Juanma]

So even though the best explanations were made in reference to graffiti and certain graffiti artists the quest is on to get your definition of Mylo Xyloto. Seen a few suggestions on twitter. "A new brand of condoms", The latin for "Homo Music", and Dr Robotniks real name being amongst a few names that made me chuckle, albeit homo music bringing out the immature in me. Got any wittier suggestions? Or do you have immature ones as well? [thanks howyousawtheworld]

It means F*ck You! We're COLDPLAY, we can name our album whatever the f*ck we want! [thanks fwise3]

She [The Oracle] said that it was not a foreign language. I had the feeling when saying XYLOTO out loud, that it sounds like SILENT TOE - perhaps that means people living in this (fictional) environment should be vary careful or should go toe-to-toe with their oppressors. [thanks dRafT.]

Judging by the Oracle's answer, the band have actually put a decent amount of thought into naming the album and it isn't just a random title. Bear in mind they've had this title in mind for 2 years or so. [thanks Cleggy]

I think that Mylo Xyloto is the main character in the story, Major Minus is the antagonist/government group, and the Car Kids are the revolutionaries, mentioned in Charlie Brown. It would make sense because the new era costumes have the 'CK' logo, and Major Minus has its own logo too so they are probably both big groups in the album's 'story'. Also, Chris mentioned once that Viva-Mylo Xyloto-LP6 was to be a sort of loos trilogy like the first three albums were their own cycle, hence the similar themed artwork. And the theme of revolution would be carried over from Viva too. [thanks AmbroseCadwell]

This from MTV: "Not only does it sound like a clothing-optional beach in the Greek Isles (or a nasty viral disease,) but, because it is largely inscrutable, it also inspires the inner etymologist within me. What, exactly, is the language of origin (Latin?) Googling it just brings up lots of Coldplay Web sites. How, precisely, is it pronounced? (Oh, just scanning the press release now, and apparently it's "my-lo zy-letoe.") And, since we're on the subject, just how many anagrams can you pull from its 10 letters? Of course, it bears mention that whenever you're talking about pronunciation and anagrams, you know you're in the presence of true titular greatness. So, after spending some serious time with a pen and a piece of paper, here's every possible anagrammatic combination I can think of. The word "Ox" comes up a lot. For whatever reason, I'd like to think that makes Chris Martin happy."

Via Facebook: "Mylo Xyloto" is traditional Balinese. Its English translation is "The Love of Mine." The term "xyloto" is used in a particularly small region of Java, which is ironic because Chris Martin has refused to play in Java

for many years now."

Which website are getting the most excited? Well that would be Popdust of course: Google Translate thinks it’s English, which is clearly untrue. The band hasn’t said anything on the matter yet to our knowledge. You’d think what the phrase means would be the first thing Coldplay would explain during their album promo cycle, especially if it’s supposed to mean something Coldplay would think up, but you’d be wrong. Seriously. Who do we have to bang to get some insight as to the meaning of this Coldplay album? Or as to why it’s pronounced “mylo xy-letoe“? I mean, really. Since the band’s not talking, we’ll just have to rampantly speculate as to the meaning. First, let’s examine the title piece-by-piece for some theories:

MYLO:

- A Scottish producer and dance musician who’s done remixes for Kylie Minogue, Amy Winehouse and others.

- Some kind of gadget by Sony that’s been pre-empted 20,000 times over by every smartphone ever and also kind of looks like an N-Gage.

- Urban Dictionary claims the term is short for “my love.” But it also claims it’s short for something much dirtier and more painful, so you might want to think a bit about your relationship before using it as a pet name.

- A “country humorist who performs parodies of popular songs set to a rural German-Russian theme.”

- A website for foodies w/rules.”

- A term for a particular situation in the party game Mafia, which you’d probably only encounter if you play Mafia outside parties.

XYLOTO:

- Absolutely nothing we could find. Xylophone? Xylem? Damn it. We need a different strategy.

MYLO XYLOTO TAKEN TOGETHER:

- Capitol Records told Chris Martin he could only use the letters MYLOXT to name the album, and he thought My Lot or My Toll sounded too ponderous for an album that already contained the titles “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall,” “Charlie Brown” and “Major Minus.”

- It’s a cryptogram. For what, we’re not good enough at cryptograms to know from such few letters.

- Brian Eno was involved in the album. Maybe it was his idea. It seems like it might be. (Seriously, go YouTube his old stuff if you’re not familiar.)

- The arrangement on the album art suggests it’s actually MYL OXYL OTO, which–no. We’re done here.

It's no secret, Pitchfork doesn't like Coldplay. Sure they will post all their news and review their albums, but they definitely make more than a few jokes at their expense. Now the other side of the coin here is that as pretentious as Pitchfork are, they have a pretty big audience and are pretty influential, especially when with the mainstream indie crowd. So what will they score the album? I feel like they could put out a masterpiece and it will still get a shit rating. You can vote and also write down your exact prediction at the Coldplay forum now [thanks Briggins]

On X&Y (4.9/10), Pitchfork commented: "[X&Y] is bland but never offensive, listenable but not memorable. It may be pointless to hate them, but with this album, they've almost certainly become the easiest band on the planet to be completely indifferent to."

On Viva La Vida (6.9/10): "[Chris] Martin is still a hopeless sap. He's clearly aware of Thom Yorke's apocalyptic verve and Bono's most cunning reflexive confessionals, but thus far he's incapable of matching either one. The record's violent, revolution-themed artwork is misleading. Viva is more like a bloodless coup-- shrewd and inconspicuous in its progressive impulses."

In a sure sign of the apocalypse, Pitchfork the new Coldplay live album LeftRightLeftRightLeft a 6.8 out of 10, which in Pitchfork terms equals a pretty frickin' high score: "Not only do they provide a service-- essentially giving listeners what they want-- but in this case, they're doing it without charge. Ironically, those contradictory qualities mean the band may be wasted in a studio, Eno notwithstanding. LRLRL suggests that Coldplay songs truly live only in vast concert halls and smallish arenas, where they are performed for, and arguably by, a captivated audience."

So what score will Mylo Xyloto get in Pitchfork's harsh world of album reviews? Your comments on Pitchforks forthcoming rating of Mylo Xyloto are below, current poll results to the right...

I don't think Pitchfork are influential. Only to those who don't have half a brain and only listen to music by their word but at the same time have a smug sense of satisfaction about themselves... [thanks howyousawtheworld]

While pitchfork definitely rips on coldplay, i think most of their ripping has been from a place that made sense. i love coldplay, they're my favorite band, but a lot of that doesn't have to do with how incredible their albums are in comparison to other bands musically. they reach me at a personal level very little other music can. That said, i really think coldplay are primed to get their best album rating yet, probably closer to 7.5. the tracks that we've heard sound good and i bet their album versions will musically push themselves further than they ever have before. i don't think they were kind in their evaluation of viva. i think they were right on the mark for them. but this time i think it'll be up even higher. [thanks footyfan10]

Well, they gave VLV a good rating (at least for Coldplay... 6.9? right?). In my opinion (from what I've heard) I think LP5 might be better. There's hope for it, but some critics' favorite sport is to bash on Coldplay. I don't think know if much will change. I originally voted on the low score, but I'm beginning to think it might actually be a bit higher now... [thanks Skin&Bones]

The first 3 albums scored in the 5.0 range and yet Viva la Vida somehow got a 6.9 or something, so Pitchfork clearly has their heads screwed on backwards when it comes to Coldplay. Judging by the crap we've heard so far from the album, I'd say it will almost be worthy of Pitchfork's Best New Music stamp, but not quite. They'll give it a 7.8 so it can still be below The King of Limbs. [thanks Corkus]

They'll give it around a 5.5 purely because they don't like Coldplay. Pitchfork are very childish and it's a shame how some idiots get taken in by them. A lot of good bands have been put down by them purely because they're no indie enough. Ridiculous. Really the whole concept of a music review is stupid. Music means different things to different people so one reviewer's opinion means nothing. Also, we all know MX is going straight to No. 1 no matter what score Pitchfork gives it. [thanks Cleggy]

Yeah guys they make fun of Coldplay a lot, but that's also kind of the fun of their whole site. Their news section is top, and some reviews are ok, and then they often just give a rating that's meant to polarize (recent examples: King of Limbs, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy). It's a show. But that's why I read it. And not to forget, sometimes they discover and hype some real good shit. [thanks VivaGroaning]

I found the parachutes review to be extremely douchey. Going on about the cons of it being 'safe' and 'harmless', when you could apply those same categories (and more accurately) to a million bands they love. However, it seems that it was written in a context when the hipster community had already bought into writing off the band as a short-lived trend riding off a cliche one-hit wonder. Whereas, though the rating for AROBTTH is actually worse, the context and personality of the writer seems intent on giving the band much more credit insofar as he admits parachutes to be: "...innocuous, to be sure, but it was also honestly rendered, and the opening three songs, effortless and hummable as they were, were hard to deny." The writer compliments the band in numerous ways, such as for going in a new direction, and saying that Martin's vocals improved. He also puts half the blame on the producer instead of the band itself. So its odd, because from the sound of the review you'd imagine a more positive rating which lends to innumerous coldplay fan conspiracy theories against pitchfork. VLV's rating though was a bit shocking. Even I wouldn't have given it a 6.9. [thanks Tnspieler1012]

If the King of Limbs got a 7.9, Coldplay is in trouble! I love Pitchfork but I wish they'd stop putting scores on their reviews. It's such an arbitrary and confusing system, and it distracts from the reviews themselves. Kill Screen just stopped scoring games and I think it's a much better way of doing things. Everybody is biased. We're human beings. A critic's job isn't to be perfectly objective; music isn't objective to begin with. So I resent when people complain about scores they don't agree with by calling a critic "biased." It's meaningless. Critics are paid to articulate their opinions and analyses. You don't have to agree with them. [thanks blankshore]

This is totally off-topic... all I meant is, if pitchfork have given Coldplay bad scores before... (and they're pretty average), they'll most likely do it again, it's a personal thing, yeah, but in such a way that not likeing something by a band initially means you'll put down the rest of their future work? That IS pretty biased. Coldplay is too mainstream for Pitchfork. And that's what I'm saying.. I don't agree with them. I form my own opinion and don't let what other people say affect them music I listen to, or the movies I like or the video games I play, etc... [thanks hadoken_zero]

I think Pitchfork ratings are the most reliable. NME and RS ratings are random and they have a preocupant lack of "vision". But that doesn't mean that I always agree with Pitchfork. Since they are so indie-alternative-arty I think they give fair enough ratings to Coldplay albums. The VLV 6.9 it's a pretty good mark for a pop album. But this time I feel like they are giving MX a very low mark, since Coldplay are "less cool". And although I feel like the album it's going to have a lot of pop great songs, I also think that it's going to be their less arty album. [thanks Bloody]

As we reported earlier, Kanye West and Jay-Z are celebrating a new record, thanks to huge sale number of their newly-released joint album "Watch the Throne". The rap duo [pictured below] sold the album exclusively on iTunes and pulled in around 290,000 downloads, scoring best first-week digital sales on the retailer, breaking the previous record held by Coldplay three years ago with 282,000 iTunes downloads of their fourth album 'Viva La Vida'.

Well it turns out Jigga & Co. went the extra mile to make it happen. While 'Watch the Throne' was made available for exclusive purchase on iTunes from August 8th, they fought a music leak by blocking hackers from getting a hold of the album. The secret of the latter strategy was recently revealed by their producer who asked to remain anonymous in an interview with Billboard...

The source dished on that fingerprint-protected hard drives were used to keep 'Watch the Throne' music. The hard drives were kept in locked suitcases, and email was never used for the project. They must come in person for the recording sessions which were held in pop-up studios in hotel rooms around the world. Wi-fi on their computers was required to be turned off when they were on work. "That was the driving force of it--to create that moment of unwrapping the CD and listening to it for the first time," said the source. "It was a very old-school way for things to happen. People really were anticipating an album on a certain day and everyone got to experience it simultaneously."

Confirming the source, the album's art director Virgil Abloh wrote on Twitter, jokingly suggesting that one of 'Watch the Throne' producers Noah Goldstein had been "sleeping with the hard drives for like 10 months straight."

So will Coldplay's new album leak, and if so, when? Here are some of your thoughts from the messageboard over the last few days... [thanks bearcat1229]

It will not leak ANY earlier than September 9, I'd put big money on it--we know they work to the wire and that's hand-in, so don't believe anything that says it leaks before mid to late September at the earliest; Most albums leak via CD plants, with people nicking CDs off conveyor belts and during shipment; Most people that get to hear digital versions of the album before release, like journalists and audio workers, have no incentive whatsoever to leak the album and could ruin their careers by doing so (some still have though); Kanye and Jay-Z took INSANE precautions during the recording of their album, and also had a graduated release scheme with special deals with special retailers that discouraged leaks; Most albums leak 2-4 weeks before release, when CDs are actually being manufactured; It WILL leak unless they're taking pages out of Kanye and Jay-Z's book, which they might; Leaks can actually help artists these days, and many have claimed to leak their own albums; The only reason we're seeing "links" now is because after the announcement, people now know to look for it and don't understand the schedule of how these things usually work. [thanks ApproximatelyInfinite]

The album will leak but in October when they start shipping it to retailers. The only album that did not leak in the past 5 years is the new Kanye West and Jay-Z because they started selling in online BEFORE actually sending it to retailers. But I think Coldplay will stream the whole album on their website once MX leaks. I think if the whole album leaks, I will listen to it. Just because I'm impatient and that the end of October will be the busiest time of the year. I will need Coldplay to keep me going. However, I will still go out on October 24th and buy 2 copies of MX. My money for a potential concert has already been saved up. Now all I need to do is to find someone willing to go with me (my friends dont like Coldplay; I need new ones). [thanks macky]

I don't think it will leak. As far as I can remember none of the Coldplay albums have leaked so far. A few demos were leaked from Viva but only one of the them was actually on the album in the end anyway and they're doing everything possible to prevent a leak. I remember R42 saying that even the band itself doesn't have access to the master tracks. [thanks Cleggy]

How can you ask yourselves even slightly seriously if the album's leaked yet or not? They're still toying around with the tracklist for god's sake, if we're going to see a leak it'll be in early October or if were lucky, possibly late September. And if I can add, I love how self-righteous you all are. I'm going to be a filthy criminal and download the leak when it does leak, yes, I'm going to steal their album early. Put me in jail for it. I just think that if I pre-order the album or even their fancy-ass 12x12 gimmick book then I can listen to the music a little bit early. It's not like they won't profit from it, or the greedy pigs at EMI. God only knows how much money I've given them with Radiohead's special collector's editions. [thanks admnistramation]

Look at Kings Of Leon's album Come Around Sundown last year it leaked about 3 weeks before it's release. Yes I downloaded it but then on the day of release I went out and bought the CD. If Mylo Xyloto leaks I won't download it. We've waited too long and the band have put too much effort into this for us as they keep saying. I'll pre-order the pop up version and patiently wait till October 24th. [thanks squibby92]

Of course it will leak. Every album leaks at a certain moment in time. The reason ETIAW didn't leak, is because it was sent to radio DJs only minutes before the first on-air play. But the album will definitely leak, due to promos and advance copies being sent out. There's always someone who can't keep it to him/herself. Heck, last year I got Keane's Night Train EP a good two months before release, yet it leaked only about a week before release. [thanks RWLover]

After hearing eight songs recorded for Coldplay's fifth album, Mylo Xyloto, Billboard's Ray Waddell had the chance to discuss the project with the band's Chris Martin backstage at the Los Angeles Tennis Center prior to their performance at UCLA on August 3rd. What follows is the transcript of that conversation, where Chris weighs in on baptisms by fire, the art of making a good sandwich, and why Coldplay would have kicked ass in the 1840s...

In listening to the new music, it seems like there is a lot going on, a lot of forces pulling in opposite directions. It's a restless-sounding album that doesn't stay in one place very long. Did you have a goal or theme starting out, or does that find its legs as you progress?

Because we haven't sequenced it yet, the goal is to leave it in a peaceful place when we finish it. The hope for the record is to be free from any musical kind of box. It very much comes from the Brian Eno professorship of 'go anywhere. As long as it's you guys, you can go anywhere.' [There is] also a story, supposed to be loosely a kind of romance in an oppressive environment. It's sort of a love story. It will have a happy ending, so you either didn't hear that song today or you didn't hear it in the right sequence.

It does seem you're in a narrator role at times, particularly in a song like "Paradise." That's something you don't always do.

I started that listening to Bruce [springsteen] and Bob [Dylan]. I'm still in the middle of it, so I haven't had any time to sit back and work out how to talk about it. Which is bad news for this interview...

It's nice to be in on it early. Was the process of recording this record different from previous albums?

Only in that we've tried not to be scared. We accept now that anything we do will invite a certain degree of negativity, so instead of letting that constrain us, this time out, it's 'well, fuck it. We'll just go for it.'

Negativity from whom?

Our career has happened at the same time as the rise of the Internet and everyone having an opinion. The shock of that wore off in about 2006, because at first it was like "what the hell is this? Thousands of people who hate you." But then you forget about the people who really like what you do. So the combination of getting over that worry, and working with [producers] Brian Eno and Markus Dravs, familiar people, made us feel like we'll just run with it this time and worry about what everyone says later.

You're at this stage in "band years" where perhaps it's time to throw caution to the wind. Do you feel that way?

Yes, I do. I always feel like each record is our last, but at the moment I'm in the stage where I really mean it. I just can't imagine how we would do another one, because we've thrown everything. When it's finished, which hopefully should be pretty soon -- it has to be pretty soon --we won't have been able to put more work into it, which I guess is the only thing we can really do.

So in two years will you feel like doing all this again?

I don't know. But I never know. I think it would be bad if I was like, "yeah, we've got 15 songs up our sleeves." I don't have anything left.

But you're only going to put 10 or so on the record, and haven't you recorded like 50?

No, no. We're going to finish 13. We've started like 490 or something crazy. But it's such a harsh culling process within the group, because it's such a democracy, that a lot of songs don't even make it 'til the end of Thursday.

You've gone out without a net and played quite a few new songs live at the festivals. What has that been like?

Well, that's a good baptism of fire. So there's a couple of songs which I know are pretty good, because I know that when we're playing it I don't feel stupid. Really, the only time I admit to myself whether a song is good or bad is live. Like some songs we've recorded and I've convinced myself it's good, but then we play it live I'm like, 'ah, this is a damn squib.' So we tend to drop it. But so far with the new ones we've been playing it's been OK. I like playing them.

Even at the sound check I could tell you were very into playing the new ones.

If I'm honest, I feel proud of our band at the moment, I feel very proud to be in it. I feel like the limelight is very split, balanced out more than ever, which is a nice thing.

It seems like Jonny Buckland's guitar makes a bigger contribution this time.

When we finished the last record Viva La Vida, we were all feeling pretty pleased with ourselves when it was like Number One or whatever. Then… Brian Eno wrote to us and said, "Dear Coldplay. I really think we've made a good record here. But I do think we can do a lot better, and I feel we all need to get back to work as soon as possible because I feel like [guitarist] Jonny [buckland] especially is on the route to something, and he hasn't got there yet." We're like "ah, fuckin' hell, man," this was like a week after the record came out. So we took the challenge, and I feel very proud of [buckland]. He's pushed himself a lot. Five albums in, everyone who likes Coldplay or doesn't like Coldplay, is kind of used to the singer, so the challenge is to try and keep it interesting for the listener. When someone's on their first album, everyone is just excited by the sound of their voice, whether it's Amy Winehouse or Adele or Bono or whoever it is, when it's a fresh voice. By the fifth album, everyone takes that bit for granted.

The guitar does feel more prominent on this record.

Very much so. [buckland's] a very shy person. It makes me giggle to see how many moments he has. And we've deliberately kept all of them.

What pressures do you face as a band going in to make a new record, commercially or artistically?

The honest answer is I want anyone who spends money on us to be really pleased with their purchase. If you want to speak purely how I really feel about it, it's we don't make it for us, we don't make it to sell millions, we don't make it to answer critics or anything. We make it so that if you're in a store and you buy our record, or a ticket, like a good sandwich, you go, 'that's good!' That's all it is. And I look to my heroes on both record and live and I think that the people I like the most are the people that are really working for their audience, Bruce being the number one example. I don't really like the whole 'we're just doing this and if you like it, great.' I don't subscribe to that.

So ultimately you want the approval of the people that love you, your fans?

Yeah. But it's not even approval, it's enjoyment. I just want them to enjoy it.

Well, you are entertainers.

Basically, yes. And especially in this day and age people have so many options of how to spend their time.

There seems to be this unspoken hope in the industry that Coldplay can fill a void as the next global band beyond U2 that can last for the next 20 years.

I don't think like that. I think a year, max. The shadow of U2 is a very beautiful one. But there's no point. We're 20 years in a different place. I fucking love U2, I don't mind admitting it. But it's just impossible to… we haven't… yeah, I just wouldn't know how to answer that.

Let's talk about some specific songs. "Major Minus" is a real beast and sort of keeps the listener off-guard.

Should that go on, then?

In my opinion it should. Why, is it one you think might not make it?

I don't know; at the moment there's about four different incarnations in the track listing, and it's four very different [ones]. I remember on our first album, we went to Paris and a guy had a version of "Parachutes" that was in a different order, and he basically said, "this album is so depressing." So I was like, "oh fuck," and we changed the sequencing around to make it a bit more optimistic. And at the moment we have a group of songs there's sort of three different routes from beginning to end, and I'm a little bit lost today on what to leave off.

Personally I would hope "Major Minus" is not one that's left off.

I don't think we'll leave that one off, because it's supposed to be a sort of villainous, dark piece. The baddie. The Bond villain, an Orwellian thing. It came from reading "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy.

There's almost a feeling of paranoia there.

Very much so. It's the idea of two people running away from a Kafka environment, or an Orwellian thing.

That song and other new ones seemed to fit nicely alongside the older material at Glastonbury.

Glastonbury to us is kind of Mecca. All our songs are almost designed to be played there.

I guess one risk of playing songs live early in the process is you might mess up on them, as you did on "Us Against the World" at Glastonbury, a real beauty.

We just finished the mix of that today with Spike [engineer Mark Stent]. That's a keeper, for sure. We did f*ck that up in Glastonbury.

Yes, but it turned out to be a special moment.

(laughing) It was a moment. We have a rule that one f*ck-up is charming, but any more than that is unprofessional. When you have that, you think, 'that's ok, this will be a nice moment,' but then you're terrified because you've played your card.

This is an a la cart world now in terms of music consumpton. Yet sequencing the album seems to be very important to this band, why is that?

Because there are still people who care about it. And we just can't compete in a singles world, we're not good enough at singles to do that. So we have to play to our strength. We have some good singles, sure, but we can't compete with Gaga or Beyonce or Justin [Timberlake], if he would only fucking make a record. It's good news for all of us that he isn't, because it gives everyone else a chance, but it's a great loss to music that he doesn't do it.

Playing the new songs live maybe shows how deep this album is and will entice more fans to go for the whole album.

Like I said, the hope is that somebody buys the album and, to paraphrase the '60s, they might really dig it.

Hypothetically speaking, if Coldplay could have emerged in an era of music, which would be your preference?

Probably the 1840s.

It's not as loud.

It's not as loud, there's lots of harpsichord. We would've killed it.

How do you feel Coldplay fits into the tapestry of contemporary bands today? Is there a kinship with other bands?

I think within a certain group of bands there's a real community. I definitely feel that within the world of musicians. I guess maybe because the industry's been struggling and you don't sell 50 million on your first, all the numbers are different from when we all started. I find there's quite a good camaraderie. You obviously get some people that want to get set aside from it. I don't know about musically, but backstage or in airports, everyone seems to get on pretty well.

I would think that would be a rewarding thing, not unlike the '60s or early '70s.

Yes, when the Beatles were writing for the Stones, that sort of thing. And we've been set a really good example, because a lot of people that we love have been very nice to us and generous to us. For example, when we got a Grammy one time we got a letter from Radiohead and that just meant the world, for them to say "well done." They didn't need to do that. I feel like everyone's sticking together. Everyone wants to f*cking kill each other in terms of competitiveness, but to me it feels like a healthy competitiveness.

From the video I've seen there seems to be no rust on Coldplay. Does it feel good right now?

We're just so grateful and very driven. How long that will last I don't know. I don't know how long you can maintain that kind of focus, but we definitely all have it at the same time at the moment, which is unusual.

The band is working very hard on the set-up of this record, and it's a long set-up.

Yeah. But it really involves just playing music.

Now you're on the brink of a long tour...

A possible tour. It's not confirmed or anything. I'm sorry, I interrupted you.

You do intend to tour, don't you?

We'll see. I'm just one of a few decision-makers.

So it's a total democracy?

Pretty much, yeah, when it comes to things like that.

But Coldplay is a live band.

That's true.

And always has been.

Yes. Maybe you could just say that on your way out.

Provided you do tour, are you looking forward to getting out and playing these songs all over the world?

Well, in the immediate future I'm looking forward to trying to finish them. I find it very hard to deliver an album.

How do you know when a record is done?

When I see it in the bargain bin. Then I know it's over. When is it done? When it's taken from our grasp, unwillingly. Every time, we think we'll be done in two weeks, and every time it's right up to the last minute. We know we want it to come out in October, so whenever the last moment that's possible, that will be when it has to be.

Are you satisfied with this band's output over the last decade?

Eighty percent, yeah.

I'm not just talking about quality, but how prolific you've been.

That's just the way it is these days. We could have done 15 albums, but the good songs would be spread over them. If you're lucky enough to do OK with an album, then it's silly to come back with another one too soon. Everyone needs a bit of a break, not the band, the audience.

Some bands learn that the hard way.

It's a choice, I think, isn't it? Some people have their routine and they want to hit the album every year or two years. We like to do it to its maximum, then step away and sort of rethink everything.

Today do you feel good about being in Coldplay and what this band can do?

I still can't really believe it. But everyone looks fired up to me. We've been together long enough that I know how everyone else is feeling, and it makes me excited when I can feel that the others are excited. Maybe I speak too soon, but they don't seem unexcited. They seem pretty fired up. I think we have a lot to prove to ourselves; this is our fifth record and there's no point in not going for it.

I know you've got a show to do, so I appreciate you taking the time to do this.

No, I appreciate it, too, man. It's the same for writers, everyone in music has to stick together a bit these days, don't you think?

It's a different form of expression. I'll be writing about you, I doubt you'll be writing about me.

Cut we need you, everyone needs each other. That's how I feel about it. It's just not the 'take-it-for-granted juggernaut' that it was in the '80s or '90s. We need each other.

Could Charlie Brown be the next single to be released from Coldplay's fifth album? That is the latest discussion topic at the Coldplay forum in the last 48 hours. According to both the BMI and Ascap databases, Charlie Brown has now been registered as a song title, but that's not the only clue. Q Magazine called Charlie Brown an "instant classic", and in the recent interview from July, Will Champion commented, "That [Charlie Brown] was singled out very early on as a dead cert. At one point there was a lyric that alluded to Charlie Brown, the Peanuts character, but it's just a name, really."

Charlie Brown was filmed for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show last week, alongside already released single, Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall. In Japan, Coldplay were seen doing a photoshoot, with a Tokyo cab in the background. This could either be for a new song 'Car Kids' which has been seen written on Chris Martin's clothes during the festivals or it could actually relate to the Charlie Brown lyrics: "I stole a key, Took a car downtown where the lost boys meet, I took a car downtown and took what they offered me."

In a recent (and ongoing) poll at the messageboard, Charlie Brown has been voted by almost 43% of Coldplayers as the next single, followed by Hurts Like Heaven with 25%. Car Kids, which we don't even know is a song yet, has received 13% of the vote.

Roadie #42 was not giving the game away as to any possible link to a new song or video, commenting on the photoshoot, "There’s some photos to do for a paper back home, so the fellas troop outside the hotel for a street scene. There’s a small crowd of fans who’ve assembled, having learned that the band are here. As the band all cram onto the tiny back seat of a Tokyo cab, they excitedly jump into the cab behind, presumably issuing the “follow that car” equivalent in Japanese, only to find that “that car” is going absolutely nowhere. After the requisite few frames, the band pile out and wander off, leaving their would-be tail somewhat confused."

Read below for some of your comments about Charlie Brown as the next single. You can also contribute your own thoughts in the LP5 sub-forum now.

1. On Coldplay.com, a tag with 'Charlie Brown' was created some minutes ago (http://www.coldplay.com/newstags.php?tag=charliebrown). No other new songs have a tag; 2. They have filmed Charlie Brown for Jimmy Kimmel TV show... why Charlie Brown and not, for example, Us Against The World?; 3. CHB on piano, CarKids and Cartoon Heart are all referring to Charlie Brown's lyrics; 4. They usually play Charlie Brown with a special energy during lives, more than during the other new songs performances (they invite the audience to jump and to clap the hands); 5. Everything on the stage during Charlie Brown seems to be the new formula of this new era (lasers, spirals, everything is dark); 6. Will, in a recent interview, has confirmed ONLY Charlie Brown as a potential single and at the same time as a serious (pretty sure) candidate to be included into LP5; 7. There's no reference into the song lyrics to Charlie Brown, like happened for Viva La Vida; 8. It has had favourable reviews from a lot of people (on YouTube a lot of users are saying it's probably one of the best Coldplay songs ever). This will be the best way to promote LP5; 9. It talks about 'rose'. LP5 was influenced by White Rose Movement; 10. In Charlie Brown, Chris encourages Jonny in a more energic way than the other new songs; 11. Will said something about this LP5: it tells of people who want to re-emerge. Charlie Brown tells so ('lost boys'). [thanks coldpatrix]

I agree that it should, and probably will be a single...but wouldn't it make more sense to say that ETIAW is most likely the first single? It was already released as a single and an EP and stands a fair chance at making the album. There's already a video, it has been the ending to the encore's of each concert so far and it too was featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live. [thanks danmets21]

I think with it being such a strong song, Charlie Brown will almost definitely be a single form LP5 at some point but i'm not sure about just yet, i think they will have saved something not to play at the festivals and use that as the second or lead single. [thanks vinch]

I'm really not sure why people are still acting like Cartoon Hearts is a possible alternative title....Coldplay have been calling it Charlie Brown all along, and there has been no evidence that it would ever be changed to CH. The song is called Charlie Brown, and that's all there is to it. I happen to like that title much better anyway, but I suppose everyone is entitled to their opinion. And yes it's quite obvious that CB will be the next single. Here's to hoping that there is an announcement sometime this week. [thanks prowlingfox]

It does seem like Charlie Brown will be the next single from the album given they played it specifically for Jimmy Kimmel and in essence the American media market. Now, I like the song, but I really don't think it's as strong as other singles in Coldplay's past specifically in lead up to an album being released. ETIAW is definitely on the album and frankly comes off more uplifting and exhilirating than Charlie Brown - again, the riff is catchy in CB, but that's all there is pretty much (now viva - had strings rather than the traditional guitar, plus there were a lot of different string riffs along w/ atmospherics courtesy of Eno perhaps in that song, plus it had a chorus, and a great outro with universal whoa's that everyone knows and sings. In my place, had catchy riff, but had a great chorus that was very singable for everybody. CB does not have that and there's not enough change in motifs/musical ideas to make it interesting enough to be a strong single, it's a decent single, but not that great - I really do hope they have 2 other quality A type of songs given that we've heard maybe half of the album already. If CB, HLH are considered the next singles then this album may not be another great one, but a decent one. Viva as an album had some great singles - LiJ, Litii (which i consider a part of Viva, I can't believe they didnt' think that song was single worthy initially, and just made it an instrumental - sometimes I dont' understand these guys) Viva, Violet, Lost, Strawberry Swing, and even Death and All his friends was an amazing song that was single worthy. I like these new songs - I think frankly the strongest ones r ETIAW and Major Minus out of the 5 or so we've heard. I don't think Major minus will be a single even though it shows another side of Coldplay most people don't associate w them namely, that they can rock out if they want to. Anyway, will be interested to see the tracklisting and hope that they're other single worthy songs on the new album that we haven't heard (perhaps Viva level). Can't wait. [thanks bdevil89]

It does seem as the next single. Probably the 1st proper single of the album, and I agree with you , as much as I love CB is not a strong single type of song, but you should consider Coldplay singles are not that strong or dont chart that high ( except for VLV one). But, maybe the studio version of CB sounds different. ETiaw of all the songs we have heard is the most pop single song... [thanks Juanma]

Before A Rush of Blood came out, Coldplay was playing In My Place and Animals at concerts while they were still touring for Parachutes in later 2001 (according to Wikipedia). Obviously those didn't become the most popular Coldplay songs... well In My Place did, but later on it was found to be no match to Clocks, The Scientist and God Put A Smile Upon Your Face. I can guarantee that there is material they haven't released yet that is stronger. [thanks InATelescopeLens]

I know I'm stating the obvious, but I can't resist. CB is unreleased because there has been no official release of the track, studio or live. After thinking some more, I believe we might hear something later this week in the form of an album and next single announcement. But, if the album isn't released until Oct 24/25, this week may be too soon. It might be another couple of weeks. The reason I say that is if they announce it this week it'll be more than two months before the release date. Looking at VLVODAAHF, they announced the release date and track listing two months ahead. Four weeks after that VLV was included in pre-orders for the album. So maybe an announcement/track listing in a couple of weeks, then around the third week of Sept they accept pre-orders and the next single is an instant download (coinciding with the next single announcement and availability for airplay). I also think it's a strong possibility that CB will be the next single; I think the studio version might sound quite different from the live version, for those who think it doesn't sound like a strong single live. But I could also see them release an as-yet-unheard song for the next single. So, while an announcement this week is possible, I'm leaning more toward two weeks from now due to past precedent for the band. [thanks coldinmo]

I like all the new songs from this era (especially Hurts Like Heaven, Princess of China and Moving To Mars) but I don't really care for Charlie Brown. I see it as a rather simplistic song with a cheap melody - certainly not one of their best... Can someone please explain to me what's so special about Charlie Brown; what it is that makes it so unique and enjoyable? I really want to like it, so please help me! [thanks Basilica]

Charlie Brown as registered on the BMI database

Charlie Brown as registered on the The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) database

In case you missed it, the full Q Magazine article on Coldplay entitled "Laughing Boys" is after the jump (both scans and transcript). The article was written a week before Coldplay headlined Glastonbury at the end of June and how accurate the article is with the current tracklist thoughts within ColdplayHQ remains to be seen.

However in response to a question on the article, The Oracle did add: Within the first paragraph is the quote that the tracklisting "isn't quite there". That pretty much says it all really. The album is in the final stages and those confirmed songs have been recorded. It's worth remembering that magazines usually work around 2-3 months in advance. That interview took place in mid-June which was as late as Q could leave it before going to print for the September issue. At the time of print those songs may have been "confirmed" but it will be, as Will says, done at the last minute.

Armed with the article, The Oracle's comments, your thought's across the forums (mostly centred around whether Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall will be on LP5) go something like this...

I think the striped-down approach is awesome. Coldplay should stick to it because the live version of Major Minus completely kicked the studio version's butt. And, I'm a huge fan of Coldplay and I like EVERY one of their songs... except for ETIAW. I'm not just saying that because it just came out and it hasn't grown on me, I genuinely think it's their most over-produced recording to date. It doesn't have any lyrical value compared to their other songs. The video is awesome, and the performances are spectacular, but the song in general... isn't as satisfying as their previous huge singles. I mean, can you really compare ETIAW to Viva? Or Violet Hill? Speed of Sound? Talk? Fix You? Clocks? In My Place or Yellow? I don't think the song should be on the album because I think it'll take away from other super amazing songs like Hurts Like Heaven and Charlie Brown (which will probably be my new favorite Coldplay song). And god... I hope the studio versions of those songs aren't over-produced... I think Coldplay tortures themselves with being self-conscious to the point when they can't release an album till it's up to their standards. I hope these new songs aren't 'tweaked' and altered to the point of no return... Sorry I'm being a bit conservative with this comment. I bet you ETIAW won't be on it. I'm honest. I know they made a video and everything, but the fact they haven't said directly that it WILL be on the album is good enough evidence! It's not even a confirmed single for the fifth album, it's like a single for the fifth album era. [thanks InATelescopeLens]

I have no doubt that the album will be a vibrant record. After all, Coldplay is one of the best bands of the world. However, it is HIGHLY disappointing that "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" will be included, since must of us already have bought that track at least two times. I am looking forward to listen to the studio versions of tracks like Hurts Like Heaven and Charlie Brown, but most of all I am eager to hear brand new tracks. Can't wait on the official announcement of the album name, release date and artwork. I bet it will be an album to remember ... Never thought the boys were going to make us buy the same song 3 times [ETIAW]. Especially considering that the Oracle has said that they don't like the idea of releasing their old material again because don't want to make people buy the same piece of music twice. I still have hope though (considering that the album is not done and like Debs said two days ago, the tracklist has not determined). thanks the_escapist]

I don't know why everyone is so against Ever Teardrop Is A Waterfall. It's a great song, one of the best I've heard in a long time. It would make a great closer too, seeing as alot of the songs seem to be about struggle and it's about liberation. Honestly, you can all have your opinion but it's just souding whiney to me. If you don't like what Coldplay's doing form your own band. Seriously. [thanks Cheese Nip 2]

If you honestly didn't think 'Every Teardrop is a Waterfall' wasn't gonna be on LP5, you were living in fantasy land. if you didnt want to buy a song 3 times, you shouldn't have bought it 2 other times. i'm gonna buy it one time because planning logically, i was gonna hold out until the album was released and see if it was on there instead (which i figure most likely it will be). worse case scenario: i wait till the album is out, ETIAW is not on the album and then i buy the EP to get Moving to Mars and Major Minus and save myself a few bucks. [thanks jc90]

Some people on this thread need to acknowledge the fact they chose to ruin the new album by listening to the festivals. People act like coldplay have done something wrong. You can want more songs, as I do, but those who are annoyed with the band about it need to relax. As for etiaw being on the album...did you all see the video and pics they put out. New album stuff everywhere. [thanks footyfan10]

The way I see it we are basically paying for the "free" bonuses we got with VLV (remember the two songs for the price of one concept?). EMI finally found a way to make up for it by making us pay for ETIAW three times and Major Minus two times.... That said, I am really happy if these songs are on the album because they are just fantastic, but it is still a downer that they were released as a silly EP, out of context, just to make a quick quid... The leak of new songs in live gigs, coupled with the fact that we will end up purchasing the same songs several times sure leaves a bitter taste in my mouth and I hope they will not repeat this kind of "promotion" in the future. thanks valypan]

I'll rather wait for any official news. Magazines have been wrong before and Coldplay must have changed the tracklist at least once since Q came to interview Will. I'm also curious as to why everyone sees Charlie Brown as an 'instant classic' -- it's a good song but imo not a going to produce a singalong in a way even ETIAW is! [thanks Miha]

Some people want Parachutes2, AROBTTH Reborn, X&Y's Twin or VLV Duplicate...but as another fan said...they're the best band in the world for a reason! Whatever they release will be awesome...because it will be a new direction from what they've done. ETIAW is different...whether you love it or hate it....it is and from the other songs played at festivals...they are too! While ETIAW took awhile to grow on me...I love CB, HLH etc. I for one think they won't disappoint. They never have and never will! [thanks Coldpl@y]

The majority of those songs listed are probably very unfinished and never got worked on much after they were first started. The band probably had hundreds of song concepts with tentative names. They did the same thing for previous album cycles. Oh yeah, ETIAW is putrid, but I've only said that every hour of every day for the past 2 months. [thanks Corkus]

I for one am really glad that ETIAW is on LP5. Why is everybody else so against it? It's by far the most uplifting, euphoric and vital songs they've ever written. I find it bizarre that fans can dislike a song which is so in line with a bands creative curve and is so musically adventurous. Am so glad LP5 is close, and by what we've heard so far, it'll be in incredible. Let's face it, we were worried about x&y, we were worried about VLV, and both turned out to be incredible. Let's just trust the boys we love so much to deliver something we'll love for years. [thanks Adam84]

I have a special affection for ETIAW, I mean: a) it's, to me, an incredible song -and yes, if that debate is still on, I do have a brain and I also like the band's old stuff!- b) it's the first song they released for this new era. It carries a lot of new, fresh air with it. I really wouldn't bother seeing it as LP5's closer. But, indeed, like many people here, I also hope we'll hear A LOT of new songs, and really new, not the songs they played during festivals... except Charlie Brown... They have been working so long, with so many new titles, they just can't re-release Major Minus for example! But if it makes artistically sense to them, the best thing to do is to shut up and just see what kind of new musical journey they prepared for us. [thanks Lu'kaa]

I completely agree that releasing ETIAW (and MM) again is total overkill, but at the same time...I always figured it would be an album track, so I'm not surprised and didn't have a hope for things to be otherwise, where it was just a one-off, fun summer release. I think Coldplay are pretty precious with what they officially release and aren't the sort to leave off a song they're obviously proud of simply because they've already put it out as a single and EP track. Annoying, sure, because I'd MUCH rather exchange a song that we've already heard out for something brand-new, but I just don't see them being the sort to do that these days. [thanks ApproximatelyInfinite]

ETiAW was always going to be on the record the way it was promoted by the band. If Major Minus is on the record, I'll be surprised given that it was for all intents and purposes, released as a B-side on an Extra Play for Every teardrop. Same for Moving to Mars. I can imagine HLH and CB being on the album, and people have a right to be pissed about it, but in all fairness, recordings can be so different from live performances so it's not going to ruin that aspect when you first listen to LP5. [thanks Bonus_mosher]

Not everything they release is automatically good because it's Coldplay (e.g. ETIAW). Of course they make mistakes, and so do we, nobody's perfect and everyone will like different songs than others anyway. So, I wonder, am I the only one who thinks synthpop/ electro-pop being associated to Coldplay sounds like cussing or even blasphemy? ... I'm guessing everyone knew, especially EMI, that a single like that at the beginning of summer would mean straight cash. Although I used to think that they wanted to know how people would react to it, I now think that's rather a naive assumption, dunno. [thanks Tryptophan]

What so aaaall of the songs that weve heard already at the festivals are gonna be on the album? Dont get me wrong I love the songs, but I was hoping they would be b-sides, making room for more new songs that we havnt heard! This albums not gonna be very much of a surprise then is it when I'm singing along to half the songs on my first listen through! [thanks Jonesey16909]

I'm a fan of ETIAW. The problem is not the song itself, but the fact that they have already released it twice before the album. And buying a song three times, no matter how awesome it is, is annoying. As you said, ETIAW is great, but it definitely shouldn't be on LP5...(at least that's my opinion) ... Nothing is clear enough to have any certainty concerning the songs. Even the Oracle sort of implied it mightn't be true. Obviously the best thing to do is wait for the band themselves to announce this stuff. I don't trust magazines anymore. [thanks Bluejay]

TRANSCRIPT [thanks mimixxx]

They're skating close to deadlne, but Coldplay are confident that album number 5 will tickle you...

It's one week before Coldplay perform their headline spot at Glastonbury and in their North London studio hideaway all is not calm. They should by now have done and dusted their imminent fifth album, due this autumn. Except they haven't. The title is among an undecided "shortlist of three", the tracklisting "isn't quite there" and they're still mixing and overdubbing extra bits as they think of them. It is, in fact, exactly the same nail biting scenario Q encountered in 2008 when visiting during the 11th hour stages of what became Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends.

"Yes, typical Coldplay fashion," laughs drummer Will Champion. "We're leaving it to the last minute. We'll keep going until it literally has to leave to get mastered and pressed. They'll have to wrestle it out of our hands."

Album five didn't start "in earnest", says Champion, until last March only to be scrapped and started afresh three months later. Early pledges by Martin that this record would be "acoustic" and 'subdued" fell by the wayside. "We're prone to saying things before we write an album that prove to be totally wrong," the drummer explains. "There came a point last summer when we realised we had different types of songs in various styles, so rather than make an album that's all stripped down we decided to throw everything into the one basket. It's true we scrapped stuff, but a lot of those songs became antecedents of what you'll hear on the finished album. It's all part of our musical evolutionary process."

While still based in The Bakery, their "secret" studio down a back alley in Hampstead, for this record they expanded their operations to a new rehearsal space over the road nicknamed The Beehive. "It's like an old village hall," describes Champion, "a big space where we can play together. Often when you're making an album you can become alienated from each other in a studio environment. The Beehive was a deliberate move to get us playing together so we could get a feel of how the songs would sound as a live band as we were recording, instead of waiting until the record was done and then going out on the road. Thursday nights were our Beehive nights. We'd be in there playing, almost like a gig. It was, literally, a hive of activity. We were all worker bees."

Recording between The Beehive and The Bakery, the album preserves the winning formula of Viva La Vida's production team including Markus Dravs, the group's regular soundmen Dan Green and Rik Simpson, and studio Midas Brian Eno. "For this album Brian's more of a collaborative writer than producer. He was with us more in the early stages when the songs were being created, though his influence is everywhere. He's omnipresent, even when he's not in the building he leaves his aura around for inspiration. Brian is great sewer of seeds whereas Markus is the farmer. He has amazing powers of concentration, way beyond ours."

June's preview single, Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall, offered the first taste of what Champion promises to be a "vibrant" album, swinging its hips to salsa rhythm cribbed from Peter Allen's 1976 hit I Go To Rio via a dance remix first heard by Martin in the Mexican film Biutiful. Other confirmed songs include the U2-alike Major Minus, the acoustic ballad Us Against The World, Hurts Like Heaven (a likely single thumping to the echoes of Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark), the dubby Princess of China and instant classic Charlie Brown. "That was singled out very early on as a dead cert," agrees Champion. "At one point there was a lyric that alluded to Charlie Brown, the Peanuts character, but it's just a name, really."

Martin's previous comments about finding inspiration in the anti-Nazi resistance movement White Rose have indeed left an imprint. "There are a handful of songs on the album about trying to express yourself in a bleak world," confirms Champion. "A lot of Chris's lyrics refer to people standing up for themselves, even though they're being oppressed."

It should also please Adam Ant to learn that Coldplay have ditched Viva La Vida's "French revolution look" he insisted they'd stolen from him in favour of an '80s New York graffiti gang image, albeit one which this time round might raise a few eyebrows among the surviving members of The Clash. "Erm it does look a bit Clash, doesn't it?" blushes Champion. "When I saw the press shots the first thing I noticed was how much Chris looked like Joe Strummer."

Album Title: TBC

Recorded at: The Bakery and The Beehive, London

Producers: Coldplay, Rik Simpson, Markus Dravs, Brian Eno, Dan Green

Release Date: Autumn 2011

Featuring: Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall, Charlie Brown

In between the chaos and excitement of the festival headlining appearances, Coldplay's album will be finished by around the end of July, according to Guy Berryman on Twitter. Guy was quoted as saying, "Only a few more weeks left before we have to finish the album. Exciting. Guy." Add to this the news that Chris Martin had already told Ryan Seacrest that it [LP5] will be done in two weeks, and details revealed in six. Following last week's release of the Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall EP, even fifth member Phil Harvey could not conceal his excitement, proclaiming: "Happy that people are liking major minus and moving to mars on the iTunes EP. I'm impatient to put ALL the music out! PH"

So what does all this mean in the context of getting the material 'out there'? Do Coldplay have a self-imposed deadline for LP5 or are they under pressure from their record label to deliver? How long after an initial announcement will the album drop? Read on for some of your latest comments in response to Guy's tweet, and check the LP5 sub-forum for more of your discussion. Don't forget that we have a megapoll currently underway at the messageboard where you can vote for the day the LP5 tracklisting is revealed. If nothing else, it keeps the interest up while we wait for more news to be announced...

"Only a few more weeks left before we have to finish the album. Exciting. Guy." -Guy wrote this on Twitter and one and half weeks ago Chris said Coldplay finished the album in two weeks (meaning next week) Could End date postponed? [thanks coldplay♪♫♪]

The problem is the high pressure to release the perfect album. So, as roadie said, after all the work for the new record is done there are some suprising but genius ideas of new songs and so on and they consequently change the setlist.... Hope we will have some clear and official statements about SOME things of the new record. Then I won't have a problem to wait until October but at the moment there is just speculatius and THIS is killing me! [thanks Major_Love]

I wonder if he [Guy] truly meant it was "exciting" or if he was being sarcastic. [thanks NumbersGirl]

^Sarcasm or not, the fact remains that the deadline for the album is coming very soon. But just because the album is "finished" doesn't mean there's not more work to do. The release date literally could be months away from the completion of the album. As I said before, the track listing for VLV was announced two months prior to the release. Since the track listing could only be revealed when the album was entirely completed, I would speculate we have more than two months to wait after next week. [thanks kover]

Guy said there are few weeks left until they HAVE TO finish the album. That probably means that they have to finish it before that deadline EMI/Parlophone has given. If not, album is probably postponed. [thanks Alien Radio]

I'm done with this. No more checking into Coldplaying.com every 30 minutes hoping for a miracle. Unliked their Fb page (until next weekend), not going to go on their twitter. You won't hear from me at all again until next Saturday. I'm completely cutting myself off from every outlet where news about them breaks. I understand they still have some stuff left to do. But 'a few weeks'? How many is that? Four? Five? They said by the end of '09, then end of '10, and now. Chris said two weeks, a week ago. It's always being pushed back. This new album stuff has become an obsession and a really disappointing/hair-pulling one at that. I almost feel like it's never going to be finished at all. Is a tracklist and album title so much to ask? See everyone a week from now. [thanks Fix42YellowClocks]

Actually, I would agree with what Alien Radio said. Guy said before they HAVE to finish the album. Have to. Meaning, EMI / Parlophone probably set up a deadline that LP5 had to be finished by (supposedly, whenever Coldplay's albums are delayed, EMI's stock drops). So, theoretically, LP5 could already be finished, or within a week of being finished. [thanks ColdplayingfromKansas]

Why would a band (that has gone through the amount of trouble that they have to keep things under wraps) routinely play 6 songs off of their LP months in advance of even announcing the tracklisting, much less releasing their album? I would be dumbfounded and angry. With every album comes a multitude of material that didn't find a place on the album and I hope that AT LEAST half of the new live material does NOT make the album. Not because I don't think they are good (I love all the new stuff) but because I don't want to be cheated. They knew that at least three of their festival gigs would be broadcast by major television broadcasters and so there is a multitude of fairly decent quality recordings of 5 out of the 6 new tracks. I would feel cheated as a fan in all honestly.. They get paid for all of their hard work. We pay for their hard work. I would gladly pay for a studio version of each and every one of their new songs but I do not want to have looked forward to this new album for as long as I have just to realise I've already heard it. [thanks Xanderp15]

^ I totally agree. Like you, I absolutely love all of the new songs and would happily pay for the studio versions but i really hope that not all of those 6 songs are on the album. Especially if ETIAW is on the album.....i mean, that would really annoy me since we've waited so long. I'm hoping for an album with 12+ songs. also, i don't think was being sarcastic. If he really wanted to show it, he probably would used "..." or an exclamation mark.[thanks connorb]

I don't change my sensations and fonts.. OCTOBER it's the right month .. but it's time to know something more now... it's from may-june that we expect some concrete details about the new album.. i cant wait anymore.. and i feel it will be a masterpiece as the other albums.. i'm so sure..if it had been useful to their studio work and to release date, i would have chosen an album out now more than these festivals.. there's always time for live shows.. [thanks pipp088]

More of your comments to follow...!

New photos of Coldplay - T In The Park festival, Balado, Scotland (9th July, 2011):

Photo via BBC

Coldplay releases a new EP and single and the stock price of Citigroup, one of the world’s largest banking groups, rallies to its highest share price in six weeks, writes pedestrian.tv in an interesting article entitled "How you and Coldplay influence the Stock Market."

Completely unrelated events or a freakonomics/inconvenient truth/Michael Moore-style cause and effect relationship that can’t be ignored? As much as we love batshit crazy conspiracy theories here at Pedestrian we’d admit that this one probably falls somewhere in the middle of the two.

I was always fascinated by the fact that record label EMI’s share price - and even its entire future as an ongoing concern for much of the mid and late 2000’s - would often rely entirely on Chris Martin and his band not breaking up and continuing to release radio-friendly albums (or in the industry what is referred to as not doing an MGMT).

In 2005 when news of Coldplay’s third album was delayed by four months, pushing its release date into a new financial year, EMI’s stock price fell 16 percent. This isn’t surprising considering their first two albums sold a combined 20million copies and Coldplay was the best-selling current artist on their roster. In 2006 rumours of Coldplay breaking up sent their share price south and in 2008 subsequent rumours of Coldplay following the moves of other EMI stalwarts Radiohead and Paul McCartney and parting ways with EMI once again negatively impacted its valuation.

In an interview with Chris Martin in the UK’s Telegraph in the lead up to the release of their fourth album Vida La Vida Chris Martin discussed the pressure that was being exerted on the band. He stated, "EMI has been through a lot, but when people are saying 'the success of the new Coldplay album is vital to EMI's future', you just want to curl up and die."

So on June 26 2011 when Coldplay released Every Teardrop is a Waterfall" from their new Waterfall EP. I was struck by a couple of things. Firstly, though the band have released EPs in the past, it always seems kind of odd when a band of their size releases a handful of tracks as opposed to a full studio album. Secondly, I jokingly thought to myself that perhaps a certain record company’s share price was floundering and needed a boost.

EMI is no longer listed on the UK stock market. After a 2007 private equity deal from private equity investor Guy Hands and his company Terra Firma failed to turn around the fortunes of the record label, the financier of the deal, Citigroup, decided to pull in its debts in early 2011; meaning that EMI is now fully owned by Citigroup - one of the world’s largest banking groups. Alas my search for a correlation between Coldplay’s success and the stock exchange would come to an end. Surely Chris Martin’s band of polite Englishmen couldn't possibly effect the share price of one of Americas largest banking groups?...

The Coldplay single "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall" was released across the world between June 3 and June 5; the video clip was released on June 28 and it coincided with the exact day that Citigroup's share price rebounded to it's highest level in over 2 months. The week after the release date of Coldplay's latest single coincided with the beginning of a positive upswing in the Citigroup stock that had been trending downwards for 3 months.

While it's easy to prove that Coldplay is hugely influential over EMI's profit and share price, the whole of EMI is worth roughly around $1 billion dollars which doesn’t even equate to 1% of the total worth of Citigroup which has a market capitlisation of over $120 Billion. So can a new EP from EMI's biggest stars (no not Angus and Julia Stone) possibly effect the share price of one of the worlds biggest finance groups that sets the tone for the wider global economy as a whole?

Trading models and number-crunching by financial analysts continue to play the major role in trading decisions but another factor is starting to gain importance: Share prices are strongly influenced by public sentiment and information readily available to the market. Organising and analysing this sentiment is a highly competitive and lucrative business. Traders are constantly looking for ways to beat the market and get access to publicly available information faster and more efficiently than their peers. Half a second of efficiency can deliver millions of dollars a day (reason number 379 on why you should quit your arts degree and transfer to business/commerce.)

But what happened if public sentiment was overstated in the financial models of share traders and funds? From all accounts Coldplay’s new single is ‘classic’ Coldplay and is currently setting radios - and sporting montages (cya later Darren we’ll miss you) - across the world alight (despite not having as strong an impact on the charts as previous lead singles "Vida La Vida"). "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall" is currently whetting the appetite of millions of fans across the globe for a slated soon-to-be-released full length album. Fans are tweeting about it, updating Facebook, blogging, tumbling, websites are reviewing it and posting it and generally making a lot of noise about the release. Social media is word of mouth on steroids and something that can be tracked by traders and financial institutions.

The world already has the world’s first purely Twitter run hedge fund and US university research has shown that Twitter can, with an 87% accuracy, highlight swings in the share market. Clearly these are extreme examples, however the financial world is already factoring public sentiment and the explosion of information that social media and the web create into their models.

Has positive sentiment about the new Coldplay single unduly effected the valuation of EMI and thus caused people to buy Citigroup’s stock as they held it as an asset?

Needless to say, this would be an over-statement of Coldplay’s influence on Citigroup’s balance sheet and a glitch in the system. Could the amount of noise that pop culture moments create through social media and the web be over-represented by traders who are simply looking for signs to beat the market that a stock is on its way up.

Anyone trying to value EMI as an asset would have #Coldplay set as a key indicator for the overall health of the company considering the influence the band has had over EMI’s share price in the past. While experienced models and traders are unlikely to overstate EMI’s importance to Citigroup’s overall business they could certainly be unduly giving a higher weight to the performance of EMI as an asset due to an influx of positive sentiment around one of their key indicators.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of factors being factored into Citigroup’s share price every day but even if Coldplay and their fans contributed a fraction to the outcome of the stock it would have an influence far larger than most would have imagined.

All it takes is a trend of buys to influence other shareholders and before you know it Gwyneth Paltrow’s husband is helping to dictate the share price of the world’s largest banking group (Hova and Diddy eat your heart out)

So when you’re singing along to "Yellow" up the front of the amphitheatre at Splendour in the Grass and you reach into your pocket to fire off a tweet with the hash tag #Coldplay remember two things:

1) You may just be influencing the share price of one of the world’s largest banking groups;

2) You probably won’t have phone reception!

With all the Glastonbury furore out of the way, we can look back now on the airing and subsequent release of Moving To Mars via the Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall EP. After almost 1300 votes in just 72 hours, a whopping 52% of Coldplayers have given a perfect 10/10 score for the track. Overall, 90% of you have given the song at least 7/10. See the poll results, and more of your comments, after the jump. What did you think of the latest song to be unveiled? Let us know at the Moving To Mars sub-forum at the messageboard now!

This poll result so far eclipses the huge success Violet Hill received in the Coldplaying polls back in 2008 when the first single from Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends received 42% of perfect 10's from a pool of nearly 5000 votes.

If you've yet to hear Moving To Mars (where have you been?!) you can listen to it at coldplay.com or at their

Some more of your 'Moving To Mars' track comments: (thanks to everyone for their reviews!):

Just heard it... wowwwww! Totally agree with all the comments so far. Has a real classic sound about it. Also agree it has a real feel of bowie about it, for me more so than pink floyd, but then that could be the spacey strings and the magical guitar work from Jonny. I wonder if the EP is going to be an excerpt from the album, in which case surely this track has to feature, or if it's like a bonus extra to it, in which case i'm excited about the songs we haven't yet heard. Such a shame about the studio version of MM. Grrr! Damn you Eno!! I know, I know - let it go! Either way this track is a great example of a new direction with classic sound for me. 10. [thanks rushofbloodUK]

I'm digging it! I initially rated it a 6 but I think I had a different expectation than what it ended up being. On 2nd and 3rd listening it is creeping up on me..starting to grow on me, like many great songs out there have on first listen. Nice track overall though and happy to have been waken up (7am here) by an ill-timed (or perfectly timed?) phone call! Also, after hearing this I am even more so excited about the potential for a live release (like 2003) of these songs. Major Minus is epic live and I get the feeling this would be too..along with all the other new material that they have played during their festival run! [thanks Xanderp15]

wow, absolutely not hoping for this (maybe) 'out of theme' songs. i was quite surprised after etiaw, major minus, charlie brown, etc, they released a song like this. so pure! Chris' piano is back!!! they don't put any fancy filter on chris' voice *phew* no electric eclectic sounds effects like waterfall or charlie brown. this song remind me to 'a message' from x & y, but this one is darker and more sentimental. 8/10 beautiful tracks, beautiful arrangement. But i have to say, major minus is still the best new songs. [thanks azkaazkaazka]

I'm liking this song, really, but probably I'll need to listen to it and feel it more "mine" in order to appreciate it in all its beauty. I think it's fun how everyone says "it's parachute-ish", it's "a rush-ish", it's "x&y-ish"...simply, it's Coldplay, all their music and all thei different vibes are in them, they just evolve, but they have all their magics with them all the time! [thanks yuls]

10 out of 10, this song is amazing. One random thing this song reminded me of is Animals because when the drums first come in it sounds like it might be on a drum machine + some of the spaceyvibey songs Animals has. But this song really is like nothing else; it's absolutely wonderful. In the chorus when Will joins in singing.... The first time I listened to it, I thought to myself, "where is this epic Jonny lead?" but I've realized that this song will be really bloody mega once Jonny gets his hands on an e-bow... [thanks MosesTheMarshmallow]

After a couple of listening quietly at home (i can't stop listen it, jeez) I would say this is a new level for Coldplay, almost perfect combination of roots with multilayer eno's sound. I said almost perfect because they definitely borrow some bits. But this is serious, deep and emotional music, something about tiny bit like human love of a one man and it connection with the universe, equality of this things, they equal beauty of love with unreachable stars, because it's all the same substance. Amazing song. It must be on the album, a beautiful close track. Sorry for English, I can't express properly everything I feel about this song. [thanks Odvan]

After hearing ETIAW I was upset in that Coldplay had moved so far away from what I considered to be 'their sound' that I just wasn't enjoying it. Major Minus helped to resotre the little faith that I had lost however I wasn't convinced with the studio recording. Just when I thought they'd lost touch they come back with this amazing song. Moving To Mars is fucking wonderful. [thanks - DAN -]

Incredible song! This is the evolved Coldplay we've been waiting for I rated it a 9, it's just pure quality. But it really does beg the question as to why on earth they thought ETIAW was in any way shape or form superior to this? If this is left off the album in favour of ETIAW, it will be totally embarrassing. The band really need to start tightening their quality control, there really just isn't any excuse when they can clearly still produce amazing music. [thanks Zemy101]

A 10 out of 10, or maybe a 10 out of 1. The melody is just a really really really obsessing!!! And it feels linked to the lyrics, just the way Coldplay intended to be felt. It feels as if we are the drug addict man the band were searching for, when these songs were composed. And yes, it is an awkwardly strange and shockingly different music (along with all the other LP songs), but this is what they wanted, and it is what we all should have expected to hear on the LP5 era. Good luck and best wishes to Coldplay!!!! [thanks At High Speed]

I'm giving it a 7/10 but 7.5 is more accurate. Its definitely the best thing I've heard from them in quite awhile. There are a few issues that keep it from a full 8. I find that transition in style in the middle of the song a little less smooth than I would like, but better than the one on 42. I'm not totally digging the super low pitch of Chris's voice in the beginning, but still FAR better than the distorted mess from MM. At this point I just have no idea what direction this album is going to be headed in. It really feels like they are attempting every style of music they can think of. Time will tell if I shall enjoy the result of their experimentation. [thanks majgirl]

After spending my day listening to it every time I could and reading all the comments. I think this is what the song does for us: 1. It's simple yet powerful. 2. Perfect mix of the old and new. 3. It has heart and soul. 4. It has the merit of bringing ALL the coldplayers back together again. Finally a song that we all love (51% gave it a 10/10 and 30% a 9 or an 8, I think this is the 1st song that has achieved this feat on coldplaying.com). No more fighting. 5. This song is so amazing that I don't think the world is ready for what has to come next. Can the boys top this, I hope they do but after freaking out all day over this new wonder, I think I'll die, lol. 6. Chris is singing numbers ("8 to 9, 9 to 8, 76543") and this song is still beautiful. A countdown never sounded better. 7. Did I mention that this song is amazing. 8. We should start petition for a video. I will start a thread for that matter. [thanks macky]

So I initially really liked Moving to Mars but now I'm at this point where I LOVE MTM! There's a way when you listen to a song sometimes you see little things you would change or you see ways you would have gone about it differently. MTM actually feels...spacey. It's like, everything put together I just get this distinct image of someone floating through space sort of looking down on earth. And obviously that's my visual, but I really do feel the whole weightless of space is somehow built into the song. I don't even know how. And I really love the way Chris starts at such a low register. This being a very different song than Yes, I feel like its really used to perfection in building the song up. The song is definitely not pop in the way ETIAW is (which I don't see as a bad thing) and it's not U2ish (which I think MM is - to its detriment). It's weird in a way because its very different from normal Coldplay with that beat coming in 1:30ish. But they just pull this song off so well. And all the production on the song is INCREDIBLE. Bravo Mr. Dravs, Mr. Eno, and any other who had a hand in this. Coldplay really outdid themselves in my opinion here. The song never reaches too far or tries too hard. It doesn't try to make you cry or shout. It's sort of right in the middle of that. Which is kind of another reason I think it's spacey. It exists in a space you cannot really put your finger on. Moving to Mars lovefest over. [thanks footyfan10]

I'm so disappointed with this. I've only just had my first couple of listens now, and all I can say is that if this is what LP5 is going to be like, I'm not going to be listening to the album for long. I can't quite put my finger on it - it's so different to Major Minus, and I really do like Major Minus. But MTM... Chris' vocals aren't that brilliant, when the rest of the band comes in it's really low-fi (and not good), and then it becomes so underwhelming it's not funny. And it sucks. If all of LP5 is like this, I am probably going to cry. Or at least be very depressed for a time. Because I have been waiting for this album for years. And if the songs are like this... D: [thanks HandyAndy1.36]

MTM=INSTANT CLASSIC. It's like the old Coldplay we all know and love, yet they're still moving in a new direction, which is great! It reminds me a lot of Amsterdam with the way it starts, and then builds at the end. BRILLIANT! I LOVE IT! I just wish they would've released this BEFORE ETIAW. [thanks purplemonkeyz232]

One of my favorite Coldplay songs. Of all. It sound unique, familiar and part of me. I don't know and can't explain why. About the lyrics, I believe it fits with both MM AND ETIAW. The difference is on the approach. The first sounds like a pursuiting, some of a dictature (is this right? damn not-my-native-language thing ) that's being established. On the other hand, ETIAW is a celebration song. Like saying "We're going to win! And, even if we lose, WE'LL KEEP SINGING!!". And, even though the lyrics are a little silly in general, I like and respect ETIAW. Because they fulfill the meaning they're intended to. And then comes this FREAKING MASTERPIECE. This... Monument. MTM. That reminds me of Wall-E. Anyway. It fits the other two, like a following to MM. They escaped, at last! So now they have to fit in their new place (Mars here being a parallel to weird-and-unknown place), until they can go back to their real home. Beautifully related, beautifully played. That's what Coldplay's about. [thanks erik_avilez]

SUCH a beautifully sad and wonderfully haunting song. Absolutely love Chris' aching low voice floating over the piano and the lingering sad undertone of both. The melody had a very Elton John meets Ozzy Osbourne's "Dreamer" vibe...in all the right ways. The best bit was the element of surprise...I don't know what song I was expecting but I don't think it was this at all. I imagine this song being on film soundtracks...maybe a Woody Allen one ;P And yes, a lovely change indeed to hear more piano again ...unlike the other great but more 'guitary' new songs we've heard so far. [thanks Lovers in NYC]

Ok this song is gorgeous. I love how deep Chris' voice is at first, and then he moves into a higher register once the full instrumentals come in. It really shows off his range. And JONNY. Don't even get me started! He's just sounding better and better with every new song we get. I really love the lyrics too; they're really simple and lovely. To me this song sounds like the AROBTTH era mixed with X&Y, but also with enough "new" sounds to make it fit with the rest of their LP5 era songs. I can definitely see this one moving up into my most-listened-to Coldplay songs. Just lovely. [thanks Technicolor Sparks]

Yesterday we got to hear another track from Coldplay's forthcoming Every Teardrop is a Waterfall EP in the shape of 'Major Minus'. Now the EP line-up is complete following today's unveiling of 'Moving To Mars'. If you've yet to hear it (where have you been?!) you can listen to it at coldplay.com or at their

Moving To Mars is the third song in the new Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall EP that’s out digitally on Sunday 26th June via iTunes. It is considerably more downbeat than the previous two tracks from the EP, with much of the first minute or two derived from Chris Martin sitting alone at the piano before the other instrumentation kicks in. Stereogum described it as "a cosmic ballad with Chris Martin taking notes and poses from the 'Life On Mars' / 'Space Oddity' / Dark Side Of The Moon songbook."

What did you think of the latest song to be unveiled? Let us know at the Moving To Mars sub-forum at the messageboard now! (Your best comments will be published here on the main site). Check out after the jump some of your early thoughts on the song... it definately has gone down a treat with Coldplayers around the world...!

Oh wow. Goosebumps. You know, this is what I've been waiting for from the LP5 era. This is the track that should've been released opposed to ETIAW. Because this is beautiful and this is what Coldplay is about. Absolutely stunning piano work on it, and Chris's voice has had minimal tampering. He's taken the lower gravelly tone (like the beginning of Christmas Lights) and then mixed it with higher notes. And it makes it diverse and it works so well. And then when the rest of the instruments kick in, it's still not overdone and it still makes it feel surreal and beautiful and all these things. Just wow guys. Wow. 8/10 (but I'm sure listening more it will become 9... Maybe even a 10). [thanks Nattatouille]

Anyone knows Donnie Darko? Amazing film, and the beginning of this song kind of reminds me of it, the soundtrack, the haunting sound. Different for Coldplay, but very typical of Pink Floyd for example, especially the guitar solo. Still, very beautiful. I voted 8. A 9 would be brilliantly amazing, a 10 is for A Rush Of Blood to the Head (Live 2003), my reference for perfection. [thanks Tryptophan]

Overall thoughts: gorgeous track! A beautiful mix between old and brand new Coldplay. There's some Pink Floyd, some old Bowie and even some Cockney Rebel, but mostly Coldplay in there. This bodes really well for the album. [thanks Ireentje]

Wow this is just a wonderful piece. It starts out with a very sad and jazzy tune and Chris' low voice and proceeds with a typical Coldplay sound we have not heard since X&Y. The piano again has the major role, accompanied by a blurry sound of Jon's guitar and acoustic guitar as we know from Life in Technicolor. Then there are these nice lead sounds from our dear Jonny, strings in the background, a carrying drumwork and a driving sound that remembers me of Christmas Lights. It seems Coldplay have kind of stepped back a little to what they used to be before Viva La Vida or Death and all his Friends, and i really love this new song. It gives me hope for LP5 to be absolutely brilliant - that is why it really deserves the 10 out of 10! [thanks princesanji]

I can't express how impressed I am. This is by far the best new song I have heard. It is PERFECT. I closed my eyes and got chills all over my body - it is like X&Y / Twisted Logic part 2... PERFECT! PERFECT! PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [thanks Strawberry Swinger]

Wow fuck! This song is so mind-blowing! Dreamy! Gorgeous! Mavellous! Tremendous! Can't describe it... so beautiful! PLEASE LISTEN TO THESE LITTLE DETAILS! THEY ARE SO GREAT! <3 <3 It would be a shame if MM and MTM aren't on LP5!! Hmm...but I love Major Minus and of course also Moving to Mars?! I can't believe that they have better songs behind! No matters now. This song is GREAT! Look at the ending...oh my god...close your eyes, feel your heart beating, your body breathing....and imagine how you visit a star far away...! hese details! I'm in LOVE! The building, the changes....oh my god, musically antoher brilliant track! [thanks COLDPLAYfanforever01]

I wasn't so sure at the beginning but I'm really starting to love it after hearing it 4 times, especially the part when Chris sings ''we are meeting for the first time'' really love that!! And the guitar part at the end just beautiful! [thanks 42JTR]

I have to be honest, after hearing Major Minus, I was a little apprehensive to hear MTM. I was nervous about the direction that they seemed to be heading in. I appear to be in the minority as I love ETIAW. The first 30 seconds or so of MTM, I have to be honest, I thought 'what are they doing?' Im not sure I like Chris' voice here, but then the song starts to build and becomes, quite frankly, awesome. I have listened half a dozen times since it was released in the last hour or so. I think I love it and it will become a classic up there with Scientist and Amsterdam, I think. I cant wait to hear this live at Splendour in the Grass! [thanks lucyb]

I was NOT expecting a song like this, but as soon as it started I was all goosebumps, it's so beautiful. This is Coldplay, it couldn't be better. I love Major Minus, but this song is just from another planet (probably Mars). And ooh, Chris' voice... I melted. [thanks Blue Nails]

Ok this song is gorgeous. I love how deep Chris' voice is at first, and then he moves into a higher register once the full instrumentals come in. It really shows off his range. And JONNY. Don't even get me started! He's just sounding better and better with every new song we get. I really love the lyrics too; they're really simple and lovely. To me this song sounds like the AROBTTH era mixed with X&Y, but also with enough "new" sounds to make it fit with the rest of their LP5 era songs. I can definitely see this one moving up into my most-listened-to Coldplay songs. Just lovely. [thanks Technicolor Sparks]

based on one listen of MTM, i have to say it'll probably be my favorite of the three tracks we've heard. whereas ETIAW was immediately listenable, MTM feels like its going to have layers I'll pull back to reveal more beauty. I can't wait to throw my headphones on and listen to it! And isn't it funny that of all the songs we've heard MTM is the one song most people expect us not to see on the album? and I don't know who else feels this way, but it sounds like this song is EVERY coldplay era combined to PERFECTION. [thanks footyfan10]

I'm starting to wonder if Guy is the mastermind behind the (epic on this song anyway) voice change-deal. He's the producer master out of them four no? And it sounds similar in ways to what they do in some of Apparatjik's songs (Especially the "Who knows when we'll be coming home at last". Just several times better. The higher vocal parts also remind me of Amsterdam for some reason. CAN'T. STOP. HITTING. PLAY. TOO. GOOD. TO. RESIST! [thanks Fix42YellowClocks]

wow, absolutely not hoping for this (maybe) 'out of theme' songs. i was quite surprised after etiaw, major minus, charlie brown, etc, they released a song like this. so pure! Chris' piano is back!!! they don't put any fancy filter on chris' voice *phew* no electric eclectic sounds effects like waterfall or charlie brown. this song remind me to 'a message' from x & y, but this one is darker and more sentimental. 8/10 beautiful tracks, beautiful arrangement. But i have to say, major minus is still the best new songs. [thanks azkaazkaazka]

10/10, its a goosebump inducing, elegant, dreamy, song. Chris experimented with different vocal ranges and Jonny Buckland was the star of the song. I enjoyed how it included a bit of every Coldplay album inside. The simplicity of Parachutes, the edginess of AROBTTH, the space/electronic roots of X&Y, and VLV's boldness (reminds me of 42 and Yes). The perfect song. [thanks missjasely96]

More comments to follow...!

With Coldplay's Glastonbury headline slot (arguably their biggest show to date) just a week away, we now have the news that Coldplay will be again be releasing Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall, this time on various formats - 7" blue vinyl, CD, standard digital bundle and an iTunes digital bundle - all available via DigitalStore as a pre-order now - which ones are you buying?

This announcement has ignited several discussion topics - the pressure from their record label EMI to maximise profits from the latest single; whether Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall (and Major Minus, for that matter) will make it to the fifth album (both, either or neither!); and what 'additional songs' will be announced this coming week.

As many Coldplayers have already pointed out (see after the jump), the simple fact is you will need to buy Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall (for a second time if you bought it on the 3rd June) if you want the new track, Major Minus. That is, unless Major Minus becomes available as a standalone digital track purchase, which currently is not possible. There are also rumours that the "additional tracks" on the iTunes bundle are remixes or live versions of some of the songs that we have already heard...

So far, two thirds of you think Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall WILL be included on the LP5 tracklisting, but the release at the end of the month has only served to confuse us even further on who is right and who is wrong - read on for the poll results and comments so far...

I'd expect most of the new songs we've heard live to be on the album with maybe a couple not making it. If these new live songs weren't on the album just think of the setlist crisis they'd encounter when playing the unheard album material on tour + old favourites + the new live tracks we've already heard. That said I wouldn't be surprised if a song or two we've heard aren't on the album. And I'm thinking Princess of China could be one of the new songs to be revealed next week. [thanks howyousawtheworld]

So they release it the day it comes out. We all buy it (some of us out of loyalty more than anything else). They release it physcally WEEKS after it orginally comes out. We all buy it for the collectors stuff. They then say "oh actually we have this bundle on iTunes with extra tracks". We all buy again. So we're all gonna own this song three times! They had better not put it on the album cos I certainly do not want to own it four times! [thanks Mimixxx]

This is unbelievable. I am pretty sure no one on this forum was expecting this. Right now, there's a lot of confusion as to what will finally be in LP5. Maybe, after all, they have decided to release songs in single format and what we will finally get on the album will be totally different of the music that is going to be released via singles. I pretty hope so, since as already many have pointed out, it would not be very cool to buy all the songs that will finally end on the album in single format first. Anyhow, it is clear that they are trying a new direction on the way they are releasing their music. Hopefully it will work and we will be pretty happy. I really thought Major Minus was going to be in the album. But now it doesn't make much sense to release it as a b-side to ETIAW and then release again in the album. After all, maybe all the new songs we have heard until now won't even feature on LP5. That would be great news, but I highly doubt it. I really don't like the fact that I will have to buy ETIAW AGAIN in order to get Major Minus and additional songs! [thanks the_escapist]

honestly, anyone who thinks ETIAW won't be on the album is someone who doesn't want it to be on the album. it is most certainly going to be on the album. the band doesn't need to confirm it. after three years away (to most non fans in the world) their first new song wouldn't not be on the album. And all these people talking about buying the song five times or whatever - you're not REALLY buying the song five times. if you buy the cd/lp bundle you're buying it to have it. not to listen to ETIAW. you're buying it to be an "ultimate" fan. honestly, i don't see how anyone could perceive this as anything but awesome news. we're getting what could be two album tracks and potentially more. my feeling is we won't get one's like charlie brown or hlh because they are definite album tracks as far as i see it. we'll probably get some new songs that have been thrown to the cutting room floor. which doesn't mean they won't be good even. it just means they didn't fit in the album. we should all remember that for coldplay, being a b-side doesn't necessarily mean its shit or subpar. it may just mean it doesn't fit linearly in the new album. so i'm hopeful a few more new songs and the studio version of major minus (which if i'm honest I've not been too into live). [thanks footyfan10]

For me, this means that the stuff being released now, is not even album-worthy... maybe they have even better songs up their sleeves?! [thanks Craigie-J]

I'm very excited but as some of you already stated: it's really annoying that they release it in so many (digital) ways. I think they could've at least given you a voucher with a code to download the digital pack, so that you could have it all with the purchase of the physical copies. But now you have to pick between wanting it physically or digitally (or both). [thanks doritji]

This has been planned very well by EMI (LP5 is massive for them so they will pull out everything possible), after the initial release of ETIAW, they need something to boost it back up the charts and further promotion before the new album, by then the official video should be ready and fans who buy the bundle and the Itunes exclusive bundle will count as 4 sales, we get new songs, Coldplay are around the top of the charts again in an era where the in thing with the kids is club music, EMI are happy, Fans are happy, win win for everyone! [thanks 42rock89]

I guess EMI is pulling some strings. Still, very good news! Especially the additional tracks part. [thanks JM-SP2]

I was definitely not expecting this announcement. I am so excited that we get a studio version of Major Minus. It is one of my favorite new songs! This announcement though raises several questions. The big question for me is what does this all mean for LP5? Is it possible that neither ETIAW nor Major Minus will be on LP5? It seems odd to me that Coldplay have not confirmed ETIAW as the first single. Some had also speculated that Major Minus would be the album title/title track but I doubt they would have released that track if that were the case. I am extremely curious about the iTunes bundle. Will it be remixes/live tracks or will it be new songs? There was a story last year about how U2 played some new songs at some shows and how they had all this new material but did not know what to do with it. Chris then called Bono and told him to just pick the best new songs and release them. I love how Coldplay is doing just that and I applaud them for releasing a new track (Major Minus) instead of making us wait until October/November to hear more new music. Just one more reason I love Coldplay. [thanks Ultravioletlight25]

A physicle release, especially such a bundle and a coloured Vinyl is pretty awesome!!! Very happy about it =) A digital itunes only bundle with additional songs... alright, I'd rather have it on physical formats and if that's not possible, I'd rather buy it somewhere else, but I'm ok with that. Might be my first itunes purchase... A digital bundle such as this one announced weeks after most of the die-hards had already bought a digital version appears bold. Even if you can upgrade on itunes, I'd have to buy the complete bundle because I avoid itunes and therefore bought it somewhere else. I'm a convinced purchaser of music. But I don't like that to be exploited. To be fair, at least Coldplay never released a "Tour edition/Extra edition/Remastered only one year after release edition/..." of an album. And I sincerely hope they're not drifting into that direction. Because I'm not willing to waste my money. [thanks r25d01]

Even though I feel pretty ripped off after first buying it on itunes, just ordered it, partly for a chance to win a signed bundle. [thanks Jurri1]

As for the ETIAW/MM business...yes it's bad that we have to buy it numerous times to get all the extra content BUT nobody is making us buy all the editions. It's down to personal choice on whether you want to buy it or not. If they both appear on the album fine. You'll be buying the album because you want the other new tracks that will be on there. Anyway, I've pre ordered the bundle and I'll get the iTunes stuff when it comes out too. I have some money sitting in my iTunes account so it would be rude not to buy it. [thanks karenc]

From my own personal perspective/situation, if I really want to listen to MM (or the other songs, unless they end up being ones we haven't heard yet) I can just go on YouTube at the live performances. I don't feel the need to play it on repeat in my car CD player, or my iPod for that matter; and I don't want to have to buy ETIAWhatever again just to get it. Basically, I will let patience prevail. Yes, it REALLY is buying to song five times (assuming the description of the bundles on the band's website): 1. purchase original release June 3rd; 2. purchase vinyl as collectible; 3. purchase CD as collectible; 4. purchase digital download because the vinyl/CD won't arrive until weeks later so you want to listen to the other songs in the meantime; 5. if it's on LP5 (as you insist it has to be). That's 5. If it's not on LP5, then 4. And I don't understand how NOT buying those makes someone a not "ultimate" fan. [thanks NumbersGirl]

Now I don't know what they plan. "Major Minus" as a B-Side? I don't think so... Additional tracks? Will they be on the new album? I don't know... [thanks michal91d]

Actually, I remember a post of a guy who said that a radio station DJ said that LP5 is going to be released by the end of the summer and Major Minus is going to be a B-side. And now it is. This thing could be true. If it's a double single, MM would probably be on LP5. And it's a great song. Many people think it's better than ETIAW. And in Coldplayplusjuanes' case, he will jump in a hole if MM doesn't get a video. B-sides don't get videos. But it can't be a double single. Cause the cover says only ETIAW. :/ [thanks Alien Radio]

Im thinking that the extra tracks on the itunes bundle will be live tracks or maybe even a remix. with the exception of Major Minus I don't think there will be another "new" song. Of course I could be (and hope that I am) wrong. [thanks oldmuckers]

Don't try and dress this up as being better than it really is. YES they are REALLY technically buying the [ETIAW] song FIVE TIMES. The song is included in the total price - or else the iTunes speshul bundle would be the same price as the normal digital price, and it's not. Also I collect various things, however I don't feel the need to buy every single item if I do not like it. It doesn't make me any less of a collector. Just like not buying every single song makes you any less of a fan. Plus, that "ultimate" fan is just some silly ideal. [thanks Cobalt]

When they have recorded Major Minus, and other track will be released soon digital... Does 'other tracks' mean an album, or have they again to many songs (like Prospekt's March)? So we will soon know a bit more how the album sounds, what Brian and the four and the person who mixes the songs want us to hear (so produced like Viva or more natural like A Rush... or even something else? Didn't Mercury said last year they would not longer produce singles as cd, only digital? EDIT: the release is the monday after their Glastonbury show. I think we can really expect something great on the Saturday in 9 days. [thanks dreamorlife]

Latest pictures of Coldplay at Heineken Jammin' Festival, Venice, Italy (9th June 2011) :

More photos from geertvdv at Flickr

Coldplay's new single 'Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall' has been given its world premiere on UK radio at midday today (June 3). The track was played on the BBC's Radio 1, Radio 2 and 6 Music, as well as Absolute Radio and Xfm. ETIAW (as its common acronym) has been made available as a digital download at the same time, except in the UK where it won't be released until midnight on Saturday (June 4) to coincide with radio chart figures.

Please vote out of 10 on how you rate the song in our latest poll. Your reviews have been coming in thick and fast in the last few hours - we appreciate your comments on what you thought of the song at the Coldplay forum. You can also read all the other ETIAW related threads from our dedicated sub-forum index. So far we have had some very mixed reviews - here are some of your early thoughts...

For now I gave it a 7 (just after my first listen). Lately, whenever I hear something new by my favourite artists, I tend to highly rate it because it's new and just out of loyalty. So i've kind of reserved judgment just for now given that it's my first listen. But it's a great song for me because they're doing everything I wanted; moving forward with their sound beyond VLV rather than regressing to an earlier sound as a lot of other bands might. Oasis and Travis come to mind here when after their experimental fourth albums, they retreated back to the familiar habits. That's not the case with Coldplay. A very promising opening to this album. [thanks TryWhistlingThis]

Am I the only one who thought the beginning of the song closely resembled parts of Underworld's Born Slippy? This is a very uplifting song which has summer festivals written al over it. It's nice enough, easy listening, but I do hope the new album has an edgier, a more inventive and perhaps even stubborn side to it as well. [thanks walewein]

I found the new single BRILLIANT - maybe in particular after having read so many negative comments! The instrumental parts of the single reminded me of Wing's Mull of Kintyre from 1975/76 which was a huge success - one of the most sold singles in the UK for decades and one of my favourites from that period. Maybe after some time I would not have rated it so high! But I like it. [thanks nancyk58]

I give it an 8. Not the best, but not the worst. So much for the new album apparently being 'stripped down' though. I like the song, but I would be very disappointed if the new album went down the dance route. Like I said, I like the song overall but it just feels like they're trying to fit in with all the dance and R and B crap that's in the charts now. [thanks Cleggy]

No it's not a rip-off Ritmo De La Noche - RDLN has a sample of I Go To Rio by Peter Allen and Adrienne Anderson. And, as said on Coldplay.com website, ETIAW contains a sample of I Go To Rio just like Ritmo De La Noche contains. [thanks Alien Radio]

Listen it second time. Mixing feelings. Right from the Don't Panic, first Coldplay song I heard, it's deep, emotional, and clever music. If you have great acoustic system - you enjoy Parashutes, ARoBTH and X&Y even more. The Teardrop sounds like summer hit for 15 years old kids. That's the modern audience which make money for labels today. I can't believe Coldplay choose money and popularity over music. [thanks Odvan]

I can't be trusted with my first opinions about a coldplay song. I did not like most of AROBTTH at first but I realised I was stupid and that it was a masterpiece. Right now im in the stage of "I miss the old coldplay era" this happens to me every new cp album. I was expecting the song to be more intimate like they said, so I wonder if we'll find that in the rest of the album? So for now im just gonna keep listening to it and see how I feel about it. [thanks anacaren08]

I'm sorry but if one of the biggest bands in the world are reduced to sampling on a comeback single then god help music. I hate when bands sample......just lazy, uncreative. I really thought Viva was a peak and was looking forward to the new album. The new song towards the end just builds like a poor man's Lovers In Japan. The lyrics are just in places utter shit. The song as a whole is to safe, predicable. But it is only one song and Coldplay would never do a whole album of toilet. So bring it on and flush that one song (Chris you can have that line mate). [thanks woohoo37]

we all have our own opinion (no hating guys, c'mon now) although I have to say that I rather like this style of song. I don't want every song on LP5 to sound like this, but it's good to know that Coldplay are willing to step out of their comfort zone a bit and make something with so many techno elements in it. Jonny's guitar, for example, I've NEVER heard it being played like that! Just don't be discouraged into thinking that Coldplay have gotten lost in all the other pop/rock/techno artists. They're still Coldplay, and they haven't steered us wrong in these 11 (or more) odd years. I would trust them, and just enjoy the ride! (it's gonna be awesome!) [thanks ColdplayingfromKansas]

gotta say i am kinda bummed that the song has sampled theme... really, kinda expected more from the guys... yeah i know talk had samples too but this is kinda... lame. don't hate on me please for what I am about to say - but maybe the boys just didn't quite know what to do with their new direction and music... maybe they just got ... lost? [thanks Strawberry Swinger]

I don't know what to think of the new song. I keep listening to it. The more I listen to it the less I know how to feel about it. It's a cheerful song, for sure. But it ONLY sounds like a cheerful song. Where's all the creativity and originality? Where's the SPARK? Where's the RISK? Where's the DIFFERENCE? All those things that made me fall in love with them 10 years ago, all those things that made me love them for 10 years. I'm not sure those things are here anymore... Probably not in ETIAW anyway. I guess we'll have to wait for the new album. Maybe I'll love it I sure hope so! [thanks Noémie]

They are really going into another direction, aren't they? Well, looks like bye bye to their previous style then. The guitar part is pretty good, and I like it when the drums come in. In fact, after listening to the song a couple of times (and it's not that many), I like the catchiness of the song. The song sounds nothing like it's name. The part about the song that I didn't like is the vocal lines. When Chris starts singing 'I turn the music up', I didn't like it. And 'wa wa wa wa waterfall'... Well, I can see how radio-listeners would love this song. I prefer their older songs, of course. When the song was over and Don't Panic came up next in my iTunes, gotta say, I miss the music they used to write. Don't think they will ever revert back though. [thanks eff-exx]

Johnny Buckland's guitar work was lovely and was instant Johnny. I don't know what to make of it yet. It's so schizophrenic - some parts I love other parts like the intro I don't like. Some will love it, others will hate it. It'd be stupid to judge the album on this single alone. I remember hearing Get On Your Boots for the first time by U2 and I was so underwhelmed but the album No Line On The Horizon turned out to be my favourite of 2009 but not until after a few hard listens. [thanks howyousawtheworld]

I love it after a few spins. Been listening non stop. Yet I gave it a 7/10. I wanted to love it at first, but was underwhelmed. I like it, but it seems like a song I'll overplay and get tired of and rarely listen to it again. I feel like by the time I get the album, I will be skipping over this song. I still cant figure out why a song about tears is so upbeat. [thanks ladypro615]

Why you see the similarities to Lovers in Japan or Strawberry Swing? The whole building is more chaotic with lower structure and organisation, only the guitar reminds me of Strawberry S. Why you consider it as "main pop"-shit? I didn't heard anything like that in the radio my lifetime! In particular with the building, the new instrument? and without a chorus it stands for itself! Masterpiece! I really enjoy it. Maybe its not a huge seller then the Scientist but I think you can't compare the different albums... So I enjoy every new thing and this is an enjoyable number! [thanks COLDPLAYfanforever01]

Before i start, id just like to say, if it werent for coldplay, i wouldnt have fallen in love with music in general! In saying that, this new single. Its not that its bad. Its just dull. Fucking dull, which is worse. Its not cool, fresh, interesting, just boring and predictable. Yeah it sounds good, but it doesnt warrant a second listen, at all. Ive heard it 4-5 times and nothing. No spark, nothing to make me go " fucking hell that was awesome, or beautiful or cool, or even different." Its a generic pop song. I hope this is a joke and Coldplay arent really putting this out to the public. If they do, ill be devastated. In fact i already am... [thanks floz14]

I rated it 7... The title bothers me more than the sound! Musically i think it sounds ok and yeah i agree it is quite happy and uplifting, but I do find some of the lyrics a bit suspect. I think as a single it is fine and it definitely has festivals written all over it, but I would be hugely dissapointed if a lot of the album was like this. I really don't want them going any further in the pop direction, but also where is the new 'stripped down sound' we have been promised repeatedly?! Finally, I hate to be overly negative but I must say that think the new Artwork and font are complete pants! Nothing good to say here...doesn't fit our band at all. 'Dull' that is a word that I left out of my analysis, but i think floz is right on the money here. It's not offensive, but it just doesn't really leave me feeling very much at all. It's like yeah, I can tell it is supposed to be happy and positive, but is it really? And coming from the band that I love, I just expect more than this bland radio-friendly lightweight dance mishmash. Where's the guts?! I agree with a few others on here though in that Johnny's guitar is definitely the best thing going on by far... Go JB! [thanks nathey42]

Being an avid coldplay fan, the song is definitely a way of showing that the boys are heading in a different direction. Vocally, there is hint of urgency and vulnerability in Chris' instrument which is something we rarely get to hear from him. Keep it coming!! The guitar riff is very Jonny-esque (simple, powerful and with a touch of glory). Drums and bass are classic Coldplay but again there is a sense of abstract to it. What a way to start off LP5!! This album will definitely be one to remember because we get to see these boys create something unique and we will respect their talents even more. P.S. That guitar riff is constantly playing in my head!! (i think this riff is cousins with the riff from strawberry swing!!) [thanks arushoffixyoutothehead]

10+ listens... Really enjoying this track. Strong 7 to a Light 8. It's gonna be EPIC live and just feels like a windows down radio up summer anthem. Will it go down as one of Coldplay's most important/relevant songs... too early to tell of course... but it does leave me feeling good about the album to come. Also, with how much media attention and promotion this song has gotten combined with the overall popularity Coldplay already has and the commercial nature (in my opinion) of this song I have a feeling that it is going to be a MASSIVE hit. well done Coldplay! [thanks oldmuckers]

I did not know what to expect, the first seconds sounded a bit too techno for my liking but as it continued playing I liked it more and I think the guitar part is really good. It sounds different from all they've done til now. Considering they have tons of summer festivals ahead, this song choice makes sense. I like it. I'm still expecting to hear something a bit different from this on the album cause I think they've done quite a lot of experimentation on this one and I'm curious. I've been listening to it on repeat for like two hours I'm really looking forwards to hearing this live! [thanks laga]

I don't think a lot of people realize that bands who stay with the same sound for their entire lifespan will eventually lose two things: interest by the fans and a sense of their musical talent. Evolution in music is a must have, and as fantastic as Coldplay has been with their previous releases, the band needs to continue on with another sound that will further develop who they are as a whole. [thanks LiTii]

At another poll I voted 7.. but this one I voted 6. Because.. I expected to hear a Coldplay song.. but if chris wasn´t singing on this track, I might think it was any Hip-hop/R&B singer.. It's too 'created'.. I miss Will, Guy and more of Jonny.. where did they go while creating this track? The drums sounds like it was recorded for one beat and looped all over the song. And somehow after 3 minutes the band comes back from lunch or whereever they were while recording this song. I'm not saying it's very bad.. but Coldplay? No it's absolutely NOT Coldplay anymore.. where are the statements about a acoustic album? I'm sure there were said things about that.. Chris is playing his acoustic guitar in this song.. but it's barely hearable because some (read Brian Eno) trashed the song with his awful idea to put some hip-hop/dance/R&B feel in it.. I'm sure without the bass drum all over and the synth keys it would be much, much better. I think I know what's behind all this.. I'm not going to explain these things because I don't want any big problems on my head, but I think they made a big mistake.. If the album will be all over this sort of music, I know who to blame. I don't think that Coldplay is behind all of it. The music industry is however. [thanks PianoRocker]

Photos via Coldplay.com

Well it's Monday Morning folks, and as the new lyrics suggest it does actually feel like 'another life', in Coldplay circles anyway. It seems that Coldplayers' attention has now switched from disecting the few liners of text in a 11 second video to realising that we're all on the verge of a single release. Even Albie has reappeared, so something must be going down (the more experienced of you within Coldplaying will know what that's all about).

Today's developments will be interesting... given that the lyrics appear 'complete' - will we receive more lyrics, news on a release, or nothing at all? (today is a national holiday in the UK for those who didn't know, as well as Memorial Day in the States). Keep an eye out on the official Twitter and the messageboard for information!

And how does all this affect the forthcoming festivals tour? As MasoKnight on the forums put it, "Not to get anybody too hyped up (and I'm sure this has been said a dozen times on here), but I think we're gonna get a significant amount of material in the next month or so. It's just hard for me to imagine them doing the Viva tour all over again this summer. Of course, it would also be cool if they played a bunch of really old stuff, though...

So far the lyrics we've received including Sunday's video amount to the following:

I turn the music up

I got my records on

I shut the world outside until the lights come on

Maybe the streets alight

Maybe the trees are gone

I feel my heart start beating to my favourite song

And all the kids they dance

All the kids all night

Until Monday morning feels another life

I turn the music up

I'm on a roll this time

and heaven is in sight

I turn the music up

I got my records on

From underneath the rubble sing a rebel song

Don't wanna see another generation drop

I'd rather be a comma than a full stop

Maybe I'm in the black

Maybe I'm on my knees

Maybe I'm in the gap

Between two trapezes

Or at least that's just one version, other people have other ways of rearrangement. The latest lyrics video has now taken the "Walking Man and Lyrics Videos + New GIFs + Screencaps/grabs" to over 100 pages, 1500 posts and 50000 page views in just five full days. Read on for some of your latest comments and thoughts on the lyrics/song/arrangement so far...

If I'm right about Friday, that's 4 videos until the release. Maybe a bit late, I'm not sure they can make four videos with sound clearer and clearer. What about Thursday, just *before* the first festival ? Edit : forgot one detail. We have the most part of the lyrics I think. So that could be earlier than Thursday... I love tonight's snippet, by the way. Especially the end. [thanks Pikrass]

I'm hoping that there will be a new single very soon. Or at least some sort of news as to when we could expect something like this. I know that they've all said no to this... But I'd be really, really surprised that with all these snippets, if they didn't play something new at Glastonbury. [thanks Nattatouille]

Well I give it to them for releasing little teasers on the weekend... Obviously the song wasn't gonna be released on a Sunday, but fingers crossed next announcements are more concrete. We've waited years for this, and they are still making us wait longer. Wish they had just released the single, and then teased us with other songs on the album.. [thanks a2iel]

I think that the lyrics are all there now but i'm not sure about the tempo, i have a feeling it's either sung slowly or at a fast pace cos in my head and out loud that's how they best sound to me. If i could put a bet on an announcement for tomorrow then i would but if it's another teaser then i'm gonna go insane! [thanks squibby92]

I'd just like to say that these latest batch of lyrics are the best so far. i felt like theyve gotten progressively better, and i only started feeling any form of real depth from the "id rather be a comma than a full stop" bit. however, i feel these lyrics are extremely deep and really really good. the bit about being in the gap between two trapezes, wow. i.e. falling through mid-air not being able to hold onto the supports beside you, which echoes the first line of "maybe im in the black" (falling through the air). it paints such a vivid picture in my mind its like ive constructed the entire scene in my mind. i think it goes without saying that "being on my knees" is about a cry for help, also at home in its surrounding lyrics, dark and deep, i love it! [thanks lutzno]

The lyrics seem like lyrics for a song that is outgoing, bold, loud and even passionate. That would be a complete turnaround from the common Coldplay that was sensitive, melancholic and deeply personal. The lyrics are clearly about an individual or a group who is closing the world off around him and enjoying himself in amongst terror/war torn city that is happening outside which is shown in the lyrics: "Maybe the streets alight /Maybe the trees are gone / From underneath the rubble sing a rebel song /Don't want this generation to stop / I'd rather be a comma than a full stop". Seems great lyrics stressing a desire for continuity than an end to something. Maybe feels his generation and the culture of his generation is at risk of getting wiped out by the tearing and destroying impact of war, not just in a physical sense but in a social sense as well. He or they are trying to find solace and comfort in his favourite tunes. It's fantastic these lyrics. I certainly don't feel the lyrics are coming from Chris Martin's personal experience. Rather he's put himself in the mind of a youth caught up in war. Influence of White Rose movement/anti nazi resistence movement shining through maybe? [thanks howyousawtheworld]

I think it's a clue that was on the Coldplay website, remember the little man jumping on that clock? Maybe the most information of the album is in the entire website! [thanks Vincent664]

Just telepathically message Guy. The rest of the band wouldn't know the first thing about releasing the single....they'd probably end up accidentily deleting the file. [thanks JackZ]

But isn't Guy the one who left AROBTTH or something on a bus? can he really be trusted more than the others? :P [thanks coldplayisawesome]

Everybody who is like 'ohhh this sounds scary/bad/awful (please choose which applies to you, lol) needs to seriously save judgement until the song is heard. the lyrics seem 'okay' but that's because we haven't heard the track. I seriously can not wait to just zone out and listen to the song with my earphones and have it on repeat. because it's coldplay i know I'll convince myself I love it no matter what the outcome is, and c'mon, they have never let us down (I may be speaking for myself here) but like, I think part of waiting for a new album is the excitement of getting just a sliver of news and blowing it out of proportion, all of this waiting and lyrical clue give me an extra ounce of excitement in the buildup to the release. this is great. roll on the full release which I hope (and fingers crossed) is next week before the first festival slot. [thanks Bonus_mosher]

I had to head to the forum even before I got my cup of tea! I so hope today is the day! Do you think the single will be released today? It would be sooo awesome! I am so looking forward to everything that comes with a new album: the promotion, the videos, the live appearances, argh!!! So exciting! Now that they taunted us so much, they sure can´t make us wait any longer for the new music... [thanks valypan]

Latest photos of Coldplay at the Beehive (May 2011): [thanks laurenev49]

Coldplay really have us in a pickle. Ever since their website was changed a while back to reflect an outer space theme - UFO's, and other 'alien' goings-on, Coldplayers have been keeping one thought on the universe as a theme for LP5.

This weekend though, the latest theories have taken us where nobody has gone before - Star Trek IV - in particular the bit where the whales communicate with an alien probe that visits Earth sometime in the late 23rd century. This is because that, according to some, the latest lyric video has a background intro that sounds like whale song from the Star Trek film.

Over-enthusiastic imagination you might think, but as it was pointed out a couple of days ago, the 'The Scientist' video that was uploaded to YouTube by Coldplay had tags called SEQ1 and Rev. which are linked to Star Trek if you put them into Google. Whether you think this theory is absolute baloney (and we're sure that there are more than a few non-believers), enjoy instead some of the latest comments on Coldplay's lyrics videos and the teasers they've sent so far...

I'm so excited!!!! I really think you've got good points in the whole spacey-star-trek-whale-alien theory. Well done! That's brilliant. I like how they know they can play with us - they know we will (over)analyse every little detail they put out and we do. It's much fun, actually! About the lyrics - I have no fear whatsoever. Of course they will not drastically change genre. They've done 4 great albums so far, I think we can trust their own judgement on their own music this time too. They have so many people working with them that I find it unbelievable if no one pointed out that they did not sound anything like Coldplay any more if that was the case. They haven't disappointed me so far, so I don't see signs of them doing it now. Especially not since they have gone so much overtime with this album. [thanks Clocks In My Place]

The most intriguing video so far for me is the 'walking man' one, made me pretty excited for a while. Now that the lyrics have started trickling out though it's hard not to feel a twinge of embarrassment / disappointment... just a bit too 'teen pop' for me, I don't know. Hopefully the music will justify the nature of the lyrics, and that they're not indicative of the album as a whole (much like Violet Hill was completely different to everything else on VLV). "Monday morning feels another life" - is that even a sentence? Anyway we'll see, haha. [thanks Zemy101]

If these are song lyrics, I am thinking this could be a dark song, about someone disconnecting themselves away from the world with music and drugs. Like I said in the other thread I need a drink, cause this is making me think too hard. [thanks MartinFan]

Why the negativity to the lyrics? Thank god the lyrics aren't generic shite about love or losing stuff from your life. They seem like lyrics of freedom of mind and ambition which is fantastic. Sound like Lady Gaga or hip hop or Rihanna? Does it hell. All they can sing about is chasing men or girls whilst gyrating on stage to their god awful sounds. [thanks howyousawtheworld]

Anyone whose really worried about this i'm sort of surprised. i understand general nervousness - which i feel too. but if anyone thinks these lyrics are supposed to be from another world, let's think about who coldplay are. the music might be slightly different, but i REALLY doubt it will be the different you can get when some bands change sounds. if anyone here is a fan of life in technicolor 2 (which i am), they can note this song could be similarly upbeat. the lyrics don't have to be to TECHNO... i'm hopeful and i understand apprehension, but anyone too worried should know coldplay won't let us down [thanks footyfan10]

I disagree about them not being generic. They aren't in the sense that you suggested, but there's really no depth to them, as far as I can tell. So you love music, you hate the beginning of the school week, and you're gonna dance until you can't anymore...seems rather generic to me. Maybe they'll be better in a broader context. Either way, I'm still PUMPED for the new single! Anyway, does anyone else think that Coldplay might start taking a leaf out of Win Butler (Arcade Fire)'s book and jam the word "kids" into every other sentence? [thanks Hartroc]

I mean, really. People are complaining about the lyrics being generic? Hasn't that always been a crack against Coldplay--that Chris's lyrics are so nonspecific as to speak to almost no one (while attempting to speak to everyone)? VLV was a big improvement lyrically, and these seem to fit pretty snugly with songs from that era, particularly LiT ii and Rainy Day. [thanks MasoKnight]

Why you the person post up some new material and we cant hear it ? what a fucking tease. [thanks Albie]

Yeah it pretty much looks like the new theme is going to be a bit spacy/futuristic. There's some proof for that: The bright colours; The website showing a UFO; The 'whale' sounds in that STUDIOFEED video; That picture from 'the first photoshoot in a while' looks kind of spacy... Sorry guys, they just made it too easy for us. But didn't Chris say that it was going to be about the german kids and graffiti (in some magazine interview)? How does that relate to UFOs? [thanks Lexis]

I'm with the people who say that these are just lyrics, a way to say "hey, we're a huge band, remember us? well, something new is coming". Why would there be any kind of message like with the number of footsteps or the monday morning or anything? Remember that 90% of the people who watch the videos/gifs won't search for any hidden message, they just need to know that Coldplay is back and to be "prepared" to the new era. [thanks Lu'kaa]

I was thinking, and it might have already been mentioned somewhere, that the walking man could be the BPM of the new song! Sounds a little bit slower that viva, When tapped out on my laptop while reading all the new lyrics! Also, the walking man just seems random, compared to the other tweets, and such, so its gotta have a hidden meaning! [thanks codlbeliever47]

I think that maybe it's more like something that has the power to gather multiple generations. for example, the "I'd rather be a comma than a full stop" part seems to signify being open to what is next, or being open to the next generation of people to come rather than being narrow-minded with a high-and-mighty attitude. now that i think about it, it could be more of a Viva la Vida-style song than a Violet Hill one; that is, from the point of view of the leader or someone in a higher position rather than a revolutionary or whatever. maybe i'm over-thinking it! [thanks coldplayisawesome]

For some reason, I'm more optimistic about this teaser than the others, but I can't really articulate why . Maybe because it doesn't seem so graffiti-ish, and I'm hoping they don't hammer that one theme into the ground too early. I think we'll hear the single, studio-quality, before Friday and the first festival date. At least I think they'll play the song at the first festival, but I do really think that all these teasers (SIX, bloody hell) are gearing everyone up for a release, not just getting everyone excited for something only a few thousand people are going to be able to experience at one time. I think it makes commercial sense for them to release a new song a few days before they hit the road again to create even more hype. I hear some people are thinking Monday? I think that could be possible, as it's a holiday in the US and the UK and they'd get a lot of people home from work and school to hear it right when it goes live. Otherwise, I really think it's going to happen before Friday. Where is this 5th of June thing coming from? That's a Sunday anyway, who releases things on Sundays? [thanks ApproximatelyInfinite]

The sound in the beginning of the StudioFeed video doesn't sound like it's in the same key as the new video posted today. However, I just noticed that the "whale-esque" sound in the beginning of the Studiofeed is goes along with the bass sound at 0:14 in the StudioFeed video. BUT! The sound from today's video can serve as an intro to that song, or not. We don't know. Haha. [thanks Forty Two]

I hate seeing posts on here that are just so repetitive. I've seen at least 20 posts all saying, "Hey guys, remember how Chris said the album would be 2 words and it starts with an M? Well I've come up with the idea that it might be called Monday Morning!" It's like: 1. Nope, read any other page of this forum and you'll see that you in fact did not come up with this; and 2. No. The album will have a better name than Monday Morning... [thanks JackZ]

Latest photos of Coldplay at the Beehive (May 2011):

[thanks laurenev49]

UPDATE 28th May: The latest lyrics to be added are now "I turn the music up, I got my records on / from underneath the rubble, sing a rebel song / don't want to see another generation stop / I'd rather be a comma than a full stop." [thanks doritji & natascha]

UPDATE 27th May: The next lyrics to be added are now "I turn the music up, I'm on a roll this time, and heaven is in sight." [thanks mayurshikotra]

A few hours ago (shortly before 6pm BST, Thursday) another video was uploaded to ColdplayTV, the official YouTube channel. Entitled, "AATKTDATKANUMMFAL", acronym for "And all the kids they dance / All the kids all night / Until Monday morning feels another life", it shows the words spraypainted in different formats and colours. We are quickly amassing a collection of lyrics for an unnamed Coldplay song, possibly their first single. That's our best guess, anyway...

If Coldplay's intention was to confuse/tease/excite/tantalise* us (poor) fans into submission, it has clearly worked; you can read some of the latest comments from the Coldplay forum after the jump below... (*delete as appropriate). So far the lyrics amount to:

I turn the music up

I got my records on

I shut the world outside until the lights come on

Maybe the streets alight

Maybe the trees are gone

I feel my heart start beating to my favourite song

And all the kids they dance

All the kids all night

Until monday morning feels another life

I turn the music up

I'm on a roll this time

and heaven is in sight

I turn the music up

I got my records on

From underneath the rubble

Sing a rebel song

Don't want to see another generation stop

I'd rather be a comma than a full stop....

Knowing that Phil and some of the band check out this forum from time to time, I'm willing to bet that over the course of the last few days they someone in the coldplay camp has been reading this thread to see how all the fans are reacting to it and what kind of buzz it is generating. They are probably laughing at a lot of the speculations. [thanks milesahead89]

The words in the video were: And all the kids they dance all the kids all night until Monday morning feels another life. I'm thinking all of these words/phrases are lyrics to the first single. I'm hoping Coldplay finally releases the single after they finish posting all these videos! [thanks MrAubreyODay]

Hm. I'm getting a techno-dance-type vibe from the lyrics, yet it contradicts what was said about Jonny's guitar peak. It's definitely a new sound for sure, but I'm not worried at all. [thanks LiTii]

New music is usually released on Tuesdays, right? I don't think this is dropping any hints about Monday... anyway, while I'm not really feeling these lyrics... I'm trying not to pass judgment until I actually hear a song- imagine if they'd tweeted the lyrics to VLV before it was released, we all would have run for the hills! I have faith in the boys... but it better be a hell of a tune. [thanks notlost92]

Some people have already said that they think the lyrics sound like a dance song, I totally agree! Already when the first silent video came - the 3 lines made me think of an ace house music tune haha! Totally looking forward to what it'll actually be. [thanks SueDeNimes]

They could all just be high as a kite from all the spray can fumes and posting utter bullshit and giggling like loons at all our speculations. INCOMING GRAFFITI MESSAGE [thanks Texasluvsjonny]

For me "Monday Morning" sounds really nice though! And it would fit to what Chris said earlier this year. He said Coldplay's forthcoming fifth album is about "love, addiction, OCD, escape and working for someone you don't like". Usually on Monday's you have to get up for work, for school or for whatever and maybe "for someone you don't like"... By the way: Where's that article/interview where Chris mentioned the MM?? I wanted to read it again.. I don't know why but I think Coldplay has gone more electronic. Well, I am curious about how they'd sound like then. edit: What's up with Will's accordion? And Chris and Guy playing xylophon? I'd looooove to see Will doing the accordion! [thanks S.@.m.]

Anyone else noticed the Tags in the new vid? SEQ1 and Rev. SEQ1 actually leads to some Star Trek movies O_o The album is referred to the Universe or Aliens or something ...i bet. [thanks foxeh]

How can their music NOT be influenced by all this Jay Z, Kanye, Tinie Tempah, etc. stuff that Chris is into? I'm bracing myself for a hip hop esque Coldplay album I'm not saying it's gonna all be like that, but influenced by it fo sho. Maybe they will take dance lessons? [thanks iluvjonnyboy]

Guys... why are you judging everything already? Stop criticising the lyrics for god's sake, there is no context yet at all, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the "alleged" lyrics anyway, we are not fans of 4 poets or novel writers here are we? (or did I miss something?) ... it's music, we are music fans, and why judge these musicians that we love so much, on nothing musical at all... just some words?!?! They are teasing and tantalising, they are getting us all (well, definitely me) so excited, and I love them for it, I love the suspense, and the anticipation, and ugh, it's freking brilliant!!! Am I right? P.S. Monday Morning it is.... and if it fits the theme, which I'm sure it will, then it'll be a great album title... also, I think this song that we are getting these lyrics for could also be called Monday Morning perhaps? [thanks Craigie-J]

I THINK there may be news on Monday. I HOPE there will be... but we don't know. As with being so cryptic, it's like we have to decipher a riddle or something. Try and figure out what they mean, and then you have the release date or more news... I don't know. BUT I FEEL AN ALBUM COMING ON! [thanks coldplayhebe12]

Monday Morning??? I hope there won’t be big news on Monday!!! The Oracle once said that the LP5 definitely wouldn’t be out at May. Locust7 said May 31st, June 1st ..., round midnight between both days we can expect some news. That means we have a bigger chance of getting the LP5 and not a single! Because it’s the 1st June!!! [thanks lauva42]

Screenshots of Thursday's upload to ColdplayTV (26th May 2011): [thanks SueDeNimes]

Updated: 28th May 2011)

It's been a busy week already in Coldplay circles, and its only Wednesday. Already, we've had strange going's on at the Bakery captured by a fan, sat talking to an old Irish fella, and then later that day new graffiti artwork revealed on Coldplay's Twitter by fifth member, Phil Harvey.

Possibly the most revealing news about the LP5 era came yesterday in the form of a short silent video uploaded onto Coldplay's YouTube channel, around the same time that new lyrics were posted on their Twitter account. Speculation suggests that it's either something to do with the new album or single artwork, part of a new video or even a hint to what will be worn during the forthcoming festival tour.

What do you think this video indicates? Let us know in the messageboard. For now, here are just some of the latest comments to come out of the "Walking Man Video" thread in the Coldplay forum...

This video is very Apparatjikesque! I sense the Guy influence here. Well we have to wait & to see what it means but we have the same bright pink and blue colors in the walking man and the website. [a-chan on the Fuzzy Man]

Wow...so er...I hope they've had their laugh. Now where's the music boys? [crestingwaves on the Fuzzy Man]

It's probably just an idea for their first music video of the new album and they felt they should share it and send people crazy trying to find the hidden message. [kat_iveson on the Fuzzy Man]

The lyrics are crap but looking forward to hear more news [Lore on the Fuzzy Man]

Maybe Chria is doing a spell in the West End, as Joseph? Lol, jk. I love this...it's strangely mesmerising. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the build up in the run up to an album release. Very exciting!! [lucyb on the Fuzzy Man]

it's GREAT to see how news are coming out every day, maybe it will be the same during the whole week, ah? I also love how they tend to upload mysterious studiofeed-like videos, always suggesting but never actually saying anything.. they want us to go nuts! The first thing that came to my mind was that Speedman was a wanderer Chris (is it too obvious?) Whatever.. I still don't see the point of showing those things up if nothing is going to happen until after the festivals. [pepa20 on the Fuzzy Man]

I don't think I'm being glass half empty. I think I'm just speculating. It's just I honestly don't believe it's the album artwork. Perhaps it is but if I were a betting man I'd say it isn't. And I don't think we're going to see a return to any form of "old Coldplay" (first three album) with this album. Artwork, music etc. The artwork would be too much in the vain of old Coldplay artwork. Coldplay have to move on regardless of how good people thought the first few albums were in music, artwork, themes etc. Otherwise it'd just become boring. I still see the album coming out in September/October after the end of their festival dates so it would seem pretty premature to release album artwork now especially in the form of a moving video! [howyousawtheworld on the Fuzzy Man]

I'd be happy with that as the album cover. Back to nice single background, single pictures covers from before the shite that was VLV. Also those potential lyrics already sound better than the storytelling shite that was VLV. Prospekt. on the Fuzzy Man]

I guess it is multicoloured Chewbacca [cele on the Fuzzy Man]

I don't see why they would change their Twitter display picture to the speedman unless it was an album cover, or a single cover, or some kind of artwork with the new album looming. it seems almost nonsensical for it to be their display photo for a lesser reason but I do look forward to seeing what it represents. maybe the new single will be called 'Speedman'? haha I'm just thinking out loud. It could also be an indicator to what the guys will be wearing on stage... and that's why it's been posted now ahead of their festival dates, in preparation. I love how they post something so insignificant and we all go nuts about it! [bonus_mosher on the Fuzzy Man]

I feel like a pet hamster in a cage. Everyone once in a while my master comes by and gives the cage a wiggle. And on really exciting days, he throws me a piece of carrot. [Pink on the Fuzzy Man]

Latest pictures of Chris Martin in London this week... [thanks mimixxx & Natascha]

Back in 2008, when Coldplayer locust7 declared that he had already heard the (then) new single Violet Hill two weeks before it was actually released, reactions were, "yeah, right... prove it," and "liar, liar, your bum's on fire." Well, of course he couldn't 'prove it' and his bum wasn't really on fire, but when his written review of Violet Hill matched the song precisely when it was finally made public a couple of weeks later, everyone started to take notice of his posts. He followed this up with information on the LP4 mixing process and then insights into the snippets of some songs from Viva La Vida that he had already heard.

Fast forward to February 2011, and locust7 is back to give us an insight into when we might be expecting LP5. He posted: "I can confirm the change of plans in the Coldplay camp regarding the schedule of the release of LP5, originally before Summer. Hope people can wait until October. Everybody who guessed October as the month of release deserves a prize. Just my two cents on it."

Anyway, since this new admission, which features alongside a 'revelation' found in the Spanish media about a delay until the end of the year, you have been discussing a possible October release for LP5. Below are some of your latest comments...

I think October makes sense based on what the label has said as well. I originally guessed June, but I think that's a bit early for where they seem to be in the recording process right now. I also tend to pay a bit more attention when this locust7 guy speaks because he's been right about these kinds of things before... I think if that we're really going to get the album any earlier than July/August, we're going to start getting more news very soon, like in the next four weeks. March was when all the exciting news about VLVOD was coming out, and on average bands seem to start releasing concrete info around the three-months-before-release mark, so if people are still clinging to the hope of a June release, I think the month of March and early April is kind of a litmus test. [thanks ApproximatelyInfinite]

October is a bad choice in my opinion, and its not because they're taking too much time, I just want a good album. I mean, they just can't play the viva tour things again, I mean they toured way too much so it'd be boring. And let's face it, the old songs stuff would be awesome but only fans would appreciate it. Yes, they could play new songs, but at festivals that wouldn't be that smart, they are headlining everywhere and well, it's not like only coldplay fans would be there. It could be boring and not make a great impression. [thanks Lore]

As for the [summer] festivals, I hope they'll do it Kings of Leon style and will debute new songs there. We can have 3-4 new tracks and old songs. Would be cool and logic! [thanks a-chan]

I say in July, following the trend of the previous albums. For a tour, I'm not sure if the could start so soon, remember the VLV tour officially ended last year... so, I would say after the festivals, they may wait some months and start touring in Europe as usual and the US, Japan/Australia and *lets hope* a SouthAmerican tour. That's just my guess anyway... I would be happy with a single now... and I hope for something better than Christmas Lights, of course. [thanks ipodthermic]

First time in the [Coldplay album release] hype for me, but after borderline stalking locust7, to see who the flip this coldplayninja was, the hype looks SOOOOO cool! like apparently this guy leaked almost the entire album onto here before it was out. Theyre going to release it on the 42nd tuesday of the year! October 18th... thats a complete guess but if locust is right, and he usually is, it'll be out in october. albums come out on Tuesdays, and that gives me a 25% chance of being right! [thanks JackZ]

As I said a few weeks ago album released after festival dates where we could see around 5/6 new songs. Good tactic. No one complained when they put on that incredible show at Glastonbury 2002 where everyone only really knew Yellow and Trouble so it shouldn't be a problem at all. Possibly a tour starting in November starting in the UK and then doing the whole world after Christmas. [thanks howyousawtheworld]

You can of course add your comments or read the full thread on when you think LP5 will be released. Of course there is also a poll to vote for the month you think it will be released. [thanks BerrymanGirl1]

Recent pictures of Coldplay with fans at the Beehive (31st January - 3rd February 2011): [thanks to bRITAnka & fauo_1995]

Brian Eno has been interviewed by Exclaim.ca in time for next month's magazine, and he talks about working in the studio with Coldplay on the recent LP5 sessions, and what he sees going on. Below are the Coldplay excerpts that are relevant... [comments/discussion]

You really are coaching them [Coldplay] quite closely to bring out their greatest potential.

Yes, well, that was the case with the first record I did with them. On this one I have a slightly more unusual relationship, which we call the cat-flap arrangement...

Which is what?

So there's a cat flap in their studio, and I occasionally crawl in and have a listen to what's going on, make a few comments and crawl out again. And you know, they occasionally will say, "Uh, got any time next week that you can make it through the cat flap?" So it's a much more distant relationship this time. They've picked up the cues from the last time and are kind of running with them this time. I think what happens after you've worked with people a few times, you start to understand which part of the process somebody is really useful for and that's when you want them there.

Right, so there's a lot less talking going on essentially.

Yes. And I think you don't want everybody there all the time. It's not very productive. If everybody's there all the time, probably 60 percent of the people are not doing anything, so they are sort of sitting around reading things or looking at things on Google, or fiddling about, or whatever they're doing. It's much better to have a smaller number of people in the room and have focused attention, then have everybody there. I always think that since somebody's reading a magazine in the studio, it's like a leak. You know, there's sort of something disappearing through that hole.

You can read the full article over at Exclaim.ca now.

It's Brian Eno...

Alabama sisters The Pierces have branded our own Guy Berryman "Jesus" for resurrecting their music career, according to The Sun this morning. The girls - Catherine and Allison - had decided to call it a day after a frustrating nine-year slog that spawned three albums, beginning with their eponymously-titled 2000 debut.

But the Parable of the Good Samaritan took a modern twist a mere 24 hours later when their pal Guy called offering to produce their next record, prompting the siblings to reunite. The siblings joined Guy and their bandmates for a stellar Biz Session, performing two original tracks - We Are Stars and new single You'll Be Mine - and an ace cover of Lady Gaga hit Alejandro.

Allison recalled: "We broke up as a band. We felt like there was no more energy left in The Pierces. We couldn't get out of our record deal. We had a kind of tyrant head of the record label. I remember we were on the phone and we said, 'This is over. This is done.' We wanted to do solo projects. And then the very next day Guy called us and changed our lives for ever."

After Guy's 2009 divine intervention, the trio - along with Coldplay producer Rik Simpson - spent the next year "chipping away" at sessions for The Pierces' 2010 EP Love You More and upcoming collection You & I around the bass player's day job. Guy said: "Myself, Rik and the girls formed a little gang of four and we just beavered away in the Coldplay studio and Electric Lady Studios in New York. I haven't really made records with anyone on this level before. I had to learn a whole bunch of new skill sets - about how to speak to the girls as a producer, rather than speaking to one of my bandmembers. I definitely feel that the process has made me better and what I do and what I know."

The singers describe Guy as a taskmaster with set ideas in the studio. Catherine said: "Guy is very organised, has a clear vision of what needs to be done. If there's something he wants done, he'll push for it until he breaks us down."

"He's not stubborn about it," Allison added. "He's open to our ideas even though he has his own very strong ideas. The most apparent thing to me was - apart from his work ethic - his love of music. That's what he lives and breathes."

Despite Guy's assistance and a fine set of new tunes, The Pierces are under no illusions about what the future holds in this notoriously cutthroat industry. Allison: "When we were younger and starting, fame and success was something we needed to have. Now I just feel like this is what we do and we'll continue to do it until we don't want to do it anymore."

The Pierces' new EP You'll Be Mine is out March 7. Their album follows on May 23.

For almost 80 years it’s been as British as fish and chips, grey skies and a nice cup of tea – but now iconic record label EMI is in foreign hands, writes The Mirror in an informative article today.

The homegrown musical empire that launched Cliff Richard, Coldplay, The Beatles, Kate Bush, Pink Floyd, Queen and Robbie Williams is now owned by an American bank. Citigroup, who financed Terra Firma’s £4billion acquisition of EMI in 2007, have seized control – and written off £2.2billion of debts.

It seems not even putting The Beatles’ enviable back catalogue on iTunes could resuscitate EMI’s ailing finances with some its biggest stars beginning to turn against it. So where did it all go wrong?

EMI was formed in June 1931 when the Gramophone Company joined forces with its rival Columbia Graphophone Company. It opened a studio at Abbey Road, which later became famous the world over. After the war, EMI set about ­developing British talent to rival established American stars and emerging rock ’n’ rollers such as Elvis Presley.

In 1955, it bought American Capitol Records for $8.5million – gaining Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole. Soon after, it introduced a roster of rising British artists including Alma Cogan, Russ Conway and Cliff Richard. Cliff recalls discussing his first record with producer Norrie Paramor. He says: “We had this song Move It, which we sang to him in his office.

“He quite liked it and said we could do it as the B-side.” Move It in 1958 became the first of Cliff’s 130-plus UK chart hits. By 1960, EMI boasted 40% of the UK’s pop record sales – but the best was yet to come. The Beatles signed to EMI in 1962 in a deal which saw them earn one old penny per double-sided single, split between the Fab Four and manager Brian Epstein.

Even as The Beatles began to ­dominate pop music, EMI boss LG Wood still had his reservations. “The advance pressing order placed for She Loves You was 350,000, he recalled. “It was an incredible number and I cut it back to just 250,000 – and in the end we sold over a million!”

Following the huge success of The Beatles, EMI became seen as the launch pad for any self-respecting new act. Sixties stars such as Gerry & The Pacemakers, Cilla Black and the Animals were followed by Pink Floyd, Marc Bolan, Queen and Kate Bush in the 70s. But there were a few hiccups. In the late-70s the company sacked the Sex Pistols for bad behaviour and the punk rockers retorted by immortalising the label in their song EMI. Even as EMI was signing rock bad boys the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger warned bosses: “If I go on TV and say ‘f***’ you’re not firing me.”

In an effort to stay afloat amid poor returns, EMI was sold for £165million in 1979 to Thorn. Later it expanded buying United Artists, Chrysalis and Virgin Music. During the 90s, The Spice Girls topped up the company’s coffers. But two failed mergers sent profits tumbling again.

It was also the decade that poor economic conditions in South East Asia and Latin America hit sales hard. Meanwhile, the entire industry was being decimated by illegal downloads. Then Terra Firma bought in with new owner Guy Hands announcing: “We are just hoping EMI is as bad as we think it is” – and suggesting artists worked harder for their money.

Radiohead were the first to leave, swiftly followed by Paul McCartney. He ended 45 years there claiming EMI’s artists had become part of the furniture: “I’d be a couch, Coldplay are an armchair. And Robbie Williams, I dread to think what he was. But the most important thing was I felt (the people at EMI) had become boring.”

The Stones and Queen also jumped ship while newer acts were public in their criticism. Lily Allen said: “I hate Terra Firma. They’re w****** and don’t know what they’re doing!”

Now EMI is in the hands of Citigroup. And if it is sold on, the once greatest of our music companies might cease to exist altogether.

Coldplaying TV is now live!

It's traditional to spend New Year with friends and family and Jay-Z gets to do both this year - and gets paid for it - by performing in Las Vegas with Coldplay, writes BBC Newsbeat today, in a preview article to tomorrow night's invitation-only event at the Cosmopolitan complex, Las Vegas. You can discuss the reports to this latest event at the Coldplay Live forum now and over the next few days.

The US rapper has told Newsbeat that Coldplay's Chris Martin is his "brother from another mother," and admits he sees him as often as possible. "I see him more than my own brother," he admitted. "Actually, I do!"

Coldplay and Jay Z will play separate gigs, plus a joint performance, on 31 December at the new Cosmopolitan casino and resort in Las Vegas. The luxury complex is rumoured to have cost £2.5bn and only opened a few weeks ago with an ceremony that featured Killers frontman Brandon Flowers. The invitation-only New Year's event is sold out, and while Jay-Z admits the show is expensive he also says it'll be relatively intimate.

The lucky few in the audience will no doubt be keen to see Jay-Z and Chris Martin perform a track or two together. Luckily the pair have history. In 2006 they collaborated on the rapper's track Beach Chair, and again in 2008 for the Coldplay song Lost. They have also performed live together several times - in London, at the 2009 Grammy Awards, and at a gig to open the New York Yankees' stadium in September.

The hip hop mogul is also upbeat about the chances of recording a new collaboration with Chris Martin: "If he'll allow me", he told Newsbeat. The rapper called the British singer-songwriter "one of the geniuses of our generation."

"Any time you can collaborate with that sort of genius, you jump at the chance, I don't care who you are."

However, another duet with wife Beyonce could be different matter. It's been a while since Bonnie & Clyde reached number two in the UK chart in 2002, and Jay-Z says another hook-up could still be a long way off. "I don't think she'll allow me," Jay-Z admitted. "But we'll see! It's her music, it's always the person's choice. You can't just turn up at their door and say 'I want to be on track four'. Otherwise I would've been at Bono's house!"

Don't forget... Not long to go to submit your favourite albums of 2010 lists:

Photos of Chris Martin on stage at Yankees Stadium, NYC with Jay-Z (13th September 2010):

To propose marriage on a stage in front of 1,000 people, with one of the biggest bands in the world behind you is something dreams are made of. It took a month to organise, but for one lucky couple this dream came true, the BBC writes tonight. On 20 December, Coldplay's Chris Martin called up Simon Bignell and Ruth Farmer on stage during their charity gig at Newcastle's Tyne Theatre. Unaware of what was happening, Ruth saw her husband-to-be get down on one knee and propose...she said: "Yes". Watch the video of the marriage proposal at the Coldplay forum now [thanks Bonus_mosher & maria_shiver]

Coldplay chose to perform at Newcastle's Tyne Theatre in one of only two UK dates in 2010 to raise money for the homeless charity Crisis. The audience was made up of 1,000 fans who were lucky enough to buy tickets or win them in a charity auction. Andrew and Ruth travelled more than 350 miles from Poole in Dorset through the snow and bad weather to see their idols that night.

As Coldplay finished the main part of their set Andrew and Ruth were taken to the side of the stage. Ruth was told that she had won a competition to watch the last two songs from that privileged position. And then the unexpected happened. The pair were called on stage. Simon sat Ruth down on Chris Martin's piano stool and nervously popped the question in front of the band and 1,000 other onlookers.

Ruth said she was totally taken by surprise: "I knew it was going to be a special night...but I had no idea that he was going to propose to me. It wasn't until Chris called Simon on and said he 'wants to ask someone a question' and I was like 'oh my goodness' and it was like a dream, it was so surreal."

And Simon picked his words well. Ruth explained: "He said he couldn't imagine his life without me, which is so touching and when he got the ring out, I couldn't believe it! The ring is beautiful, I think I was already crying by that point and I managed to squeak out a 'yes' and gave him a big hug... I'm very happy and I can't stop smiling."

Simon first pitched the idea to the charity's events organiser a month before the gig was due to take place and wasn't sure how the idea would go down with the band. The original plan was to ask Ruth in a room behind the scenes with the band present but Chris Martin and the rest of the band had a better idea. Simon said: "It was only on the evening that the band's management spoke to the band and they decided they were going to do it on a much bigger scale... I couldn't possibly turn that idea down. And she said 'yes!' The whole thing was wonderful, the crowd were behind us. "Coldplay are very close to our hearts and it was really kind of them to be behind it."

The couple are now celebrating with a bottle of champagne that they were given and thinking about how they can incorporate Coldplay in to their big day. Ruth said: "If we can get Chris Martin to come and play that would be Simon's dream, but I don't think he does weddings!"

More photos of Coldplay's Crisis gig at Tyne Theatre, Newcastle (20th December 2010):

Pictures by D Nuttell @ Flickr