The joint bosses of Coldplay’s UK label, Parlophone, have spoken about working with the band on their upcoming new single, Higher Power – and their collective ambitions to match global commercial success with cultural relevance.
Higher Power, produced by Max Martin, will be released next Friday (May 7).
A new album (rumoured title: Music of the Spheres) is expected to follow in the second half of the year.
Coldplay go through Atlantic in the US, but are signed to Parlophone in the UK, a relationship that goes back over 20 years. All eight of the band’s previous albums have gone to No. 1 in the UK and Top 10 in the US (apart from their debut, Parachutes, in 2000, which was a UK No.1.)
Parlophone Co-President Mark Mitchell told MBW of the new project: “It’s kind of unlike previous Coldplay campaigns because before, often, there’s been one or maybe two singles and then an album quite quickly.”
Added Mitchell: “I think part of the reason why [Coldplay are] probably still the biggest band in the world… is that they’re very conscious of not wanting to [live in] their bubble.
“When it comes to getting into a campaign, we always have three or four months of conversation about what’s going on now, what’s the best way to approach this record in today’s market. They’re very interested in what other people are doing.”
“They don’t take anything for granted, they start again with every record.”
Nick Burgess, PARLOPHONE
Joint Parlophone boss Nick Burgess added that, even with over 100 million records sold and record-breaking tours behind them, Coldplay still value their relationship with the UK label and welcome input: “They’ve always been very collaborative, and in some senses they’re not a million miles away from other, newer acts on the label; you’d be surprised, just in terms of that openness to discussions about songs and collaborations.
“They don’t take anything for granted, they start again with every record and their ambition. Their ambition is to make music that is as important as the first music they ever made.
“Chris [Martin] has got this incredible ambition to make music still resonates with everyone.”
“Their dedication and attention to detail and philosophy around success, and what it means to them is great to behold. It’s actually very rare in this industry. I don’t think I’ve worked with a group of people that are so dedicated to what they do.”
Confirming the release of Higher Power on May 7, Coldplay wrote on social media: “Higher Power is a song that arrived on a little keyboard and a bathroom sink at the start of 2020. It was produced by Max Martin who is a true wonder of the universe. It’s out on Friday 7 May. Love c, g, w & j.”Music Business Worldwide
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