lennyrott1

I think the single will be very indicative, and that it will drop in mid-late August so hype and radio/media presence can be built around it before it is brought to the national live stage. Midnight was purposefully different as a way signal a "mysterious" return and a possible Kid A scenario, which the media outlets ate up. They were just trying something different and while aslo remaining relevant in a year full of dreary electronic music. AND IT WAS AWESOME! So yeah, unfortunately an amazing lead single can be disappointing in a fuller album. Magic and Midnight are easily my two favourites on GS, and happen to be the first released. Same with ETIAW and the HLH live performences: definitely my two favourite MX tracks played over summer 2011, which made the rest of the album feel underwhelming. I would predict with 70% confidence that the lead single will be a huge radio hit, like ETIAW but poppier. Something that is hopefully huge enough, yet left field enough, to make "Coldplay's Triumphant New Single" headlines which will drive it into Top 40 Territory like Paradise. They wouldn't release something bizarre or anti-AHFOD before headlining some big festivals..

I hope it is all true but Internet journalism is so sketchy, sensationalist and speculative nowadays... For all we know, every other news source is using our speculation and the Sun's "source" as their evidence, and the rumor mill turns on.

^ I agree with major critiques of this song like yours. Yes it sounds like Christian Rock and yes, the production is really bland and generic. But melody wise don't think the piano and guitar are great on this song at the very least? It is one of Coldplay's weakest songs in my opinion, but I prefer it in many ways to tracks like Up In Flames or even ASFOS in some respects.

Yes: the song has all the elements of a Coldplay track I want. Beautiful, motivational piano with atmospheric guitar playing in tandem, Guy taking a more prominent role, Will singing in the background. Lyrics that aren't half bad. Lots of different instrumentation. Chris singing in a lower register with limited falsetto. No: Has many elements of modern pop that I hate. The synthetic acoustic guitar that feels fake compared to Parachutes, AAROBTTH, Viva, and MX era's. Too much hooting and "YEAH YEAH YEAHHHH." Dull drumbeat and breakdown with claps that could fit onto a One Direction album. I would be happy to get more Miracles sounding songs, but I think that is a risky thing to say because it is borderline "dad rock" or "contemporary pop" music that isn't as adventurous or creative as Coldplay can be. I would rather imagine songs like Miracles that are produced from Eno, Dravs, or someone rockier like DangerMouse or Rick Rubin, rather than Stargate.

I think it is safe to say that whatever we get is going to be surprising and new. There are things we should always expect from Coldplay: rousing piano, huge choruses, fun guitar solos from Jonny, and lots of catchy tunes, poppy or not. That said, it isn't going to sound like all the songs we want it to. Sure, there might be an Oceans type track that is VERY reminiscent of older Coldplay styles, but the album as a whole will delve into new territory. I almost guarantee it. I still am thinking we are going to be getting some synthpop/rock. 80's throwback if you will, stuff you can dance to that isn't necessarily dance music. It is something they haven't done yet, and feels like a natural progression with the last two albums. Here is a new track from Chvrches that I love. They are widely respected by both pop and indie spheres even though their music is sheer, clean pop. Coldplay could do something like this really successfully with more of a rock edge, plus this sound is in style right now: [video=youtube;nZRxFsMD4UM] I also think Miracles signals a return to some more instrumentation, but doesn't necessarily dictate the new style. Atlas, Christmas Lights, and Miracles to me are all standalone tracks that are clearly Coldplay, but unique. Much more work and focus will be put into the album tracks, and hopefully with less overproduction and haste than Miracles, which I feel suffered from Stargate despite its solid melody and instrumentation.

^Read anonymous posts below. They are probably not genuine, but who knows. With as many people working within the album recording sphere, I am frankly surprised there are not more information leaks, so this could be an extremely reliable source for all we know. But also could be a troll looking to stir up some excitement for no good reason. Either way, I am remaining optimistic. http://ohchrismartin.tumblr.com/

Well there are 4 more days left this month... If that anonymous source wasn't kidding (the return of boo boo boo) then we should expect something by Friday....

I very much hope that Waltz In B Minor (Radio Dial) is a single. That title and what it implies musically sounds amazing!!!!!!!

It is crazy.. I for one think this is likely.. It just feels like The timeline needs to be updated, maybe with some artwork or a single announcement, maybe they will tweet some clues of where to find some new material hidden in the timeline. It is good to be skeptical, but so much evidence is really pointing towards material any day now. End of month!? Maybe this week??

There is no doubt in my mind that they will experiment, but that doesn't necessarily mean the final result will be very original. One can dabble in pop and call it experimentation. Experimenting for me was during VLV sessions where they tried new instruments and group dynamics, or with MX. And do recall that there will never be another MX. That album is really sonically unique in my opinion, like every record. The feel might be similar, but the record will be its own project. If the album will sound like anything, it will be closer to GS since that era is still relatively new imo. Think Parachutes and AROBTTH, both somewhat similar yet still individual. My hope is that these producers are only in it for the singles. A nice balance of pop and alternative rock is where the boys thrive.

Phil Tan's production history is almost identical to Stargate's and notably he has never worked with a band, only pop artists that don't actually write their own music...so I am really disappointed to hear this. But is that good or bad? I mean, maybe the band will ensure quality pop rock, but on the same token, this could be the ultimate Chris takeover ready to sky rocket Coldplay into pure pop status, losing credit as a rock band entirely. Not to discredit the many other mixers and producers, Rik and Markus will definitely be back, and who knows, maybe even Eno... But I am scared the record will be synthetic with these ultra pop influencers. Even MX, despite the pop, had some rock mixers and producers. Not confirmed yet for AHFOD. Be still my heart... So sad but trying to be hopeful... Edit: The positive news is that if they are mixing, then that means the album is almost done..

So, this could probably be put into a thread, but some folks think Coldplay are a contender for the next Bond theme. The song has already been recorded and will be released soon, and most bets are on Sam Smith or Lana Del Rey, but how cool would that be if Coldplay did a classy, old sounding, and dark song called "Spectre?!" NME mentions them in this link: http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/james-bond-spectre-theme-whod-be-brilliant-and-whod-be-disastrous

I am frankly on a week by week anticipation right now. With all the rumours of festivals and shows for later this year and early in 2016, it feels like we have to be getting at least a single or some news in the next couple months, only about 5 remain after all. I want to keep guessing what it is going to sound like and reading into the clues, but at this point, I am just going to check up every monday and check the facebook/twitter feeds for something new. Who knows? Maybe that two month break is the perfect time to drop a single before returning to the studio and finishing production and mixing....or not at all hahaha :computer:

^^Yeah, when I think of my least favorite Coldplay songs, True Love is up there. I feel like it isn't the sum of its parts: I love how the strings that swell, I love the guitar solo at the end, and I love the lyrics. Largely, I appreciate the song for being so markedly different than anything else the boys have tried before, despite its pop appeal, it is a weird song after all. But as a whole, True Love just isn't for my taste. I respect Coldplay trying to do something different sounding, but I feel Chris' falsetto is rather overwrought. The entire song consists of him singing in this upper register and hooting and ohhh oohhhhhing quite a bit and it is neither pretty or emotional to me. That is my main issue, but I also am not a huge fan of the drumbeat on it either. But once again, that is my taste, there are tons of Coldplayer's who think True Love is Ghost Stories' best song.

Isn't that the same studio that Phil Harvey tweeted from the studio briefly before GS was released? I remember the photo having Chris Martin up at the microphone and a whole studio orchestra playing along, probably for True Love if I had to guess. If it is the same studio, then maybe that does indeed mean they are working with a studio orchestra and therefore are wrapping up production.

I too would love even more melodic Ghost Story's and All your Friends type stuff. I still think they are definite B-sides and could have been more finely polished, but nonetheless that style might be a hint for what's come? Challenge: Define Coldplayness

Probably this: Clocks or Big New Single Paradise Viva La Vida Violet Hill or Yellow ASFOS or Big New Single

I feel like they are going to release a single that is very danceable. Every 1st single of a new era always has been a really big statement of where their music is going (also to stir up media attention). Whatever the track sounds like, I bet it will be big, loud, radio friendly, and dancy! Suddenly have a very strong feeling about this actually. Whether it will happen before Global Citizen or not, we'll just have to wait.

ALL OF IT! :) But really, my criteria: NOTHING BORING! Boring has nothing to do with genre, loudness, or instrumentation. It has to do with songwriting, originality, creativity and lyrics! For example: Love me like you do, la la love me like you do = BORING and The EDM "wall of sound" part of ASFOS=BORING :inquisitive: Whereas Uptown Funk's fun instrumentation and style, along with a Coldplay track like, say, Politik, Violet Hill, HLH, White Shadows, are anything but boring. :smug: Just my opinion obviously, but I feel like there are distinct differences. For my taste, Coldplay can do anything, any style or tempo or theme, so long as it isn't boring!

What I Want AHFOD To Be: An album that explores dreams and nightmares on a grand scale. I would love for it to have political messages about where humanity hopes to be and dreams of being and what nightmares many are forced to live in: poverty, war, climate change, racisim, inequity. In that sense, it could be like MX, about striving for something better, for love and art in times of darkness. I would even be happy with a record that is less heavy and more about strange personal dreams and nightmares and balancing the two to become an individual or part of a loving, united community. Coldplay sure loves black and white dichotomies after all. What It Probably Will Be: Having dreams of success, happiness, and love. Very simple, broad lyrics that touch on self-improvement, motivation, self-love and love for another person, leading to sentiments of "Anything is Possible" if you believe and try your hardest. Cheesy, but not necessarily bad. 1 or 2 songs about obstacles: heartbreak, failure, lack of support, loss. These ones will be more rocky or different sounding to add some variety to album. In the end, not much to actually do with literal dreams.

What do you guys think about Apple Music? I feel like it could easily serve as a new platform for Coldplay to make a surprise release or to release some singles or EP's. Plus we all know Zane Lowe is fan of Coldplay and that his new radio show is on Apple Music. The band has been such a huge part of itunes in the past, it just feels like this year would be the right time, much like U2's awkward forced free release of Songs of Innocence. Another reason I think it is coming sooner than we think is the Coldplay Timeline. It is a really cool medium, but it feels like they wouldn't put up only a timeline for their website if they didn't intend on giving it a next-era update fairly soon. Or maybe they want that timeline up for a while. Just my guess.

True, or they could be taking their sweet, sweet time. I am very curious as to how the recording process takes place for them now. I reckon we already discussed this, and that it changes from era to era, but does the rest of the band just work on the music while Chris is away and then they reconvene? It just seems like Chris is up to a lot of other cool projects right now with Global Citizen, Oxfam etc. So yeah, maybe they have finished most of the recording and are just mixing and getting the promotional and artwork business done right now? Or maybe they recorded half the album back during the GS era and are just taking it slow right now.... feels so slow....

I am still convinced it is coming this year. They were technically working on LP7 before GS.. So that is almost three years unless they scrapped a lot of it. So why would they be so quiet? My guess is a surprise release. They will update the website with artwork and release it all really quickly with singles to follow. My guess is that they are just building suspense until a fall release.

If these rumors about a November Festival are true, then would that be included in their world tour? Seems like they would have to start the next era very, very soon if that is the case.

^Not to mention possible horns! I could totally see them doing an 80's pop revival with this album, much like Taylor Swift's most recent album (which I thought was perfect pop). Inspiration from A-ha, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears with a modern twist. That music is synthy, poppy, and guitar driven, but remains really fun and exciting. I would personally love for them to go after other 80's bands like Talking Heads and New Order, both of whom could be weird but were always anthemic and artistic. I want them to sound like this for a track or two: [video=youtube;H5UK40sSo8I] Realistically, however, I am betting we will be getting some more disco sounding tunes, and the horns will be more of a backdrop, Arcade Fire's Reflektor being an inspiration.