Coldplay to Release Concept Album Next Year

Coldplay have revealed that their new record will be a concept album.

As previously reported by Spinner, Chris Martin recently declared that for their fifth LP the band were "going for it" and said he saw the new album "as our last big shot."

Now in an interview with BBC News, Martin has elaborated on what fans should expect from the as yet untitled record. He said, "It's from the point of view of two people who are a bit lost. Two like-minded outsiders who meet in a very difficult environment and therefore have a journey together."

A departure from the grandeur of previous offering 'Viva la Vida', Martin described how he sees the record. He said, "It's a concept album but it's supposed to be very personal within a big framework. Does that make sense?"

Playing a big part in the making of the new album are producers Brian Eno and Marcus Dravs, both of whom worked on 'Viva la Vida'. According to Martin, Eno's contribution in particular proved invaluable.

The singer explained, "Brian is the sower of seeds and ideas and experimenting, which is very liberating. Then Marcus's job is to come in after all that's been done and try and sculpt it into some kind of releasable format. They're like a tag team."

For their part, the band's approach was a lot more haphazard. "We spent a year making a lot of noise. You know those things in a fairground where you have bran in a tub and in there are some hidden prizes? That's sort of where we are at." Guitarist Jonny Buckland clarified, "Like a lucky dip."

Martin also revealed that as lyric writer he's had to develop a thick skin when it comes to receiving feedback from drummer Will Champion and bassist Guy Berryman. "It's when you have to take a verse to Guy or Will that things become very tearful," he said.