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Coldplay may still be one of the biggest bands on the planet, but according to scientists, their music has become, well, a little boring.
Researchers at Durham University have analysed the 100-million-album-selling band’s catalogue and claim the group have become less “harmonically daring” over time, with newer songs sounding more and more like their earlier hits.
The study compared Coldplay’s output to other iconic artists including R.E.M., Radiohead, Buddy Holly, Kirsty MacColl and Patsy Cline, measuring how much their music evolved over time.
The team looked at musical features such as rhythm, tempo, percussion, keys and chords to assess variety and innovation across albums. Their findings suggested R.E.M. were overall the least adventurous musically, but also revealed that Coldplay became increasingly “staid” as their fame grew.
Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion formed Coldplay back in 1997, breaking through with their 2000 debut Parachutes and cementing global superstardom with 2002’s A Rush of Blood to the Head. The band remains a huge live draw, selling out a staggering ten shows at Wembley this summer as part of their world tour.
Credit: instagram.com/coldplay
However, while fans continue to flock to hear their hits, the Durham researchers found that Coldplay’s later albums lacked the harmonic boldness and stylistic experimentation seen in their earlier years.
In contrast, the study found that Radiohead, who emerged at a similar time, showed more musical variety and risk-taking across their discography, pushing creative boundaries on albums like Kid A and In Rainbows.
The scientists stressed that their findings don’t mean Coldplay’s music is “bad,” only that it has become more predictable.
One of the researchers commented: “It’s interesting to see how success influences artistic decisions. Coldplay have crafted a sound beloved by millions, but the data suggests they’ve become less musically adventurous over time.”
Coldplay, for their part, have yet to comment, but with sold-out stadiums and legions of loyal fans singing along to every word, it’s unlikely Chris Martin and co. will lose any sleep over the study’s conclusion.
