Coldplay go rave at 168bpm

"Will [Champion, drummer] has a new toy for drum programming which has sent him on a beat-making odyssey," blogs one of Coldplay's roadie. "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'."

To set the scene for a second, Coldplay are holed up in the studio with Viva La Vida producer Brain Eno enjoying "a quick stint of recording" and "some exploring of new ideas." So, this dance beat isn't merely a studio jam. It could end up on a recording…

7/4

"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?' continues Roadie #42. Meanwhile, '168 bpm' means that everyone is getting confused very quickly."

"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."

Moog

It gets worse, or better, depending on whether you like Coldplay with funky synths or not: "The afternoon continues with the most filthy funk I've heard from these guys. Jonny [Buckland, guitarist], in particular, has coaxed a sound from the Moog synth that borders on the obscene."

We await the results with pleasant trepidation.