1970s New York graffiti, the anti-Nazi resistance and other iconic non-conformists serve as muses for the forthcoming, currently untitled Coldplay album. The themes of the material recorded so far are “[being] free to yourself” and “[following] your passion”.
“The ideas come from graffiti art of the 70s in New York, where people were expressing themselves with paint,” Chris Martin told Q Magazine. “I’ve spent a lot of my life playing it a bit safe or conforming to something, even though I didn’t agree with it. So I have respect and admiration for people who don’t.”
“Then there was the White Rose movement,” [the group of students who rebelled against the Nazis] “It’s about being free to express yourself among negative surroundings,” Martin explained. “Being able to speak out or follow your passion, even if everybody seems against it.”
The group are striving to be risk-taking a non-conformist with the new record too. “In five years we’ll be in our late 30s. You have to have your best work done by then.”
No official album name has been announced, but Martin’s revelation to during the interview; “It will probably begin with an M,” leads me to believe it’s probably been named already.
In related news, Coldplay announced a one-off charity single , “Christmas Lights” out 1st December. The group will also be performing with (Martin’s close friend) Jay-Z in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve.