Coldplay Go Techno?

Coldplay have reportedly brought some beat-making equipment into the studio and have recorded a 168-beats-per-minute "rave" track that's in 7/4 time.

The band have been recording the follow-up to Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends in London, England with producer Brian Eno (Talking Heads, U2) while on a break from their tour.

"Will [Champion, drums] has a new toy for drum programming which has sent him on a beat-making odyssey. He rolls up today with a new idea and announces cheerfully to all that, 'It's in seven four time and it's 168 bpm', "Roadie #42" blogged on Coldplay's website on April 20.

"For those of you less versed in music theory, 'Seven four time' means that when he kicks off the drum machine, everyone spends a lot of time asking, 'Where's the one?' Meanwhile, '168 bpm' means that everyone is getting confused very quickly."

Writing confusing songs doesn't sound like a good way to fill an album, but it apparently got better.

"Slowly, from the chaos comes great beauty," the blog entry continues. "The concentration of feeling the beat has forced everyone to play in an open and simple manner. Before long, a gentle and chilled piece builds up with an utterly joyous feel. It's a great kick-start to the week. Layers of vocals are added until it becomes a rich, complex weave.

"Two hours ago all that existed was a loop in Will's laptop. Now there is [a] solid piece that is joyous, beautiful and filling all present with enthusiasm."

The band have also apparently written a song in 5/4 time and another that's described as "filthy funk" that features guitarist Jonny Buckland playing a Moog synth with a sound "that borders on the obscene."

That's all well and good, just as long as they don't go writing in two-thirds/4 time or four-thirds/2 time. The world only needs one Pierre Boulez.

Maybe Coldplay will play some of their weird new songs here:

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