Coldpray: The Sun has new insight into Coldplay's latest album recordings

Coldplay are holed up in a dilapidated north London church crafting a new album, report The Sun this morning. The band only finished their latest leg of their gruelling world tour in September but they are back at the coal face again.

And the fans who worshipped at the altar of last album, Viva La Vida, will be glad to hear super producer Brian Eno is back on board, masterminding a brave new direction for the group. Frontman Chris Martin is concerned the band are being seen as a huge stadium act and totally inaccessible for their loyal fans.

So he has devised a plan with rock deity Eno and bandmates Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion to record a stripped-down, more acoustic collection in the eerie church...

It's a big step away from their old HQ, The Bakery in London's Primrose Hill, which has played a huge role in their sound to date. A source said: "The band are keen to make hay while the sun shines. They have hit a rich vein with their songwriting and feel more creative than ever. Chris had wanted to record a new album while they were on the road but it was just too much. They have this work ethic while the going is good to just keep working as hard as possible."

Guitarist Jonny wed girlfriend Chloe only last month. But the source added: "Jonny has thrown himself into the new album, as have all the boys. The results are really exciting so far. Chris is determined not to be seen as a huge commercial rock juggernaut, filling stadiums and cashing in. This is the plan to keep them as close to their fans as possible."

The band aim to release the album next year, a lot earlier than anyone expected - not least their label EMI. They have only one more album to deliver before they can move elsewhere, which will cause a huge stir in the industry. Chris plans to test the songs early in 2010 on their closest pals by inviting them to the church to hear them live.

The band will then record "as live" in the church, then aim to do a tour of smaller venues for fans to hear the new stuff. The late James Brown was known in music circles as the hardest working man in show business, but these boys are doing everything they can to take the title from the Godfather Of Soul.

Full discussion on the new recording sessions news at the Coldplay forum here onwards [thanks inengsol1500]

One things for sure... we can't wait...