A Head Full of Dreams
The seventh studio album by Coldplay, featuring a colourful and uplifting sound.
A Head Full of Dreams is the seventh studio album by British rock band Coldplay. It was released on 4 December 2015 by Parlophone in the United Kingdom and by Atlantic in the United States. Coldplay began recording the album shortly after the completion of their previous album Ghost Stories, recorded at The Bakery, which had a markedly different style and sound from its predecessors. The band collaborated with Rik Simpson and Stargate to produce the songs. Features include Beyoncé, Noel Gallagher, Tove Lo and Merry Clayton.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Coldplay
- Genre
- Alternative Rock; Pop
- Release era
- Late 2015
- Label
- Parlophone; Atlantic Records
- Key collaborators
- Tove Lo
- Beyoncé
- Noel Gallagher
- Merry Clayton
Lore & Background
Coldplay began working on A Head Full of Dreams in late 2014 after promoting their sixth album Ghost Stories, which was recorded at The Bakery. The album has a markedly different style and sound from its predecessors. In an interview with Radio 2 DJ Jo Whiley in December 2014, guitarist Jonny Buckland and bass guitarist Guy Berryman gave a hint as to the difference between A Head Full of Dreams and its predecessor – Buckland called it the 'night to the day', comparing the style of Ghost Stories to the expected uplifting theme of A Head Full of Dreams. Lead singer Chris Martin hinted at the style of the album by saying that the band was trying to make something colourful and uplifting. He also stated that it would be something to 'shuffle your feet' to.
Reader's Guide
A Head Full of Dreams received generally mixed reviews from critics. However, it was a commercial success. The album topped the UK Albums Chart and peaked at number two in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Italy, where it was held off the top spot by Adele's 25. At the 2016 Brit Awards the album was nominated for British Album of the Year. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), it was the eighth-best-selling album of 2015, as well as the ninth-best-selling of 2016. The album has sold more than six million copies as of June 2018. It was supported by five singles: 'Adventure of a Lifetime', 'Hymn for the Weekend', 'Up&Up', the title track, and 'Everglow'. A 5.1 Surround Blu-ray Audio version of the album was released via the band's website on 23 September 2016.
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