"Everyday Life" is the eighth studio album by British rock band Coldplay, released on November 22, 2019, by Parlophone in the UK and Atlantic Records in the US. It is a double album with the first half titled Sunrise and the second Sunset. To promote the album, Coldplay streamed live performances from the Amman Citadel in Jordan at both sunrise and sunset, corresponding with the album's theme. The album marked a departure from the band's previous works, featuring a more experimental direction and incorporating global sounds such as classical, afrobeat, and jazz-fusion, with several tracks recorded at various locations around the world.
The album was produced by long-time collaborators including Rik Simpson, Dan Green, Bill Rahko, Davide Rossi, and Emily Lazar. Everyday Life stands as Coldplay's most experimental album to date, blending diverse genres and tackling a variety of thematic issues. It features politically charged lyrics dealing with topics such as racism, police brutality, war, terrorism, and loss, alongside the band's usual messages of hope, positivity, and unity. Notably, the album includes profanity on tracks like "Trouble in Town," "Arabesque," and "Guns," which marked a significant shift in Coldplay's lyrical approach.
Everyday Life was the band's second album after Ghost Stories (2014) not to be supported by a major worldwide tour. It received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its ambitious sound and thematic depth, although some found its variety of styles and subject matter lacking consistency. Commercially, the album topped the UK Albums Chart and reached the top ten on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
The album was supported by four singles: "Orphans" and "Arabesque" (both released in October 2019), "Everyday Life" (released in November 2019), and "Champion of the World" (released in February 2020). At the 63rd Grammy Awards, Everyday Life received two nominations, including Album of the Year, marking the band's second nomination in that category.
The album's recording process spanned several years, with some tracks dating back to as early as 2009. The band recorded in various locations worldwide, and for the first time, Coldplay used Dolby Atmos technology to mix the album, making it available in a spatial audio format on streaming platforms.
Everyday Life features 30-second interludes with a field recording of clock tower bells, which are spread across the two halves of the album. These bells serve as a symbolic representation of time and transition throughout the album. Thematically, the album is a reaction to the negativity in the world, with Chris Martin explaining that it aims to reflect both the struggles and the positivity that exist in everyday life.
