Chris Martin: 'I'll never be as adept lyrically as Jay Z or Morrissey'

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has opened up about what went into writing the band's new album Ghost Stories, describing the process as an 'emotional treadmill' but admitting to not being as a good a lyricist as Morrissey or Jay Z. 

The album, which he admits deals with the highly-publicised decline of his relationship with actress Gwyneth Paltrow, will be released next month. In a frank and in-depth interview with Radio One's Zane Lowe, Martin opened about Ghost Stories, and how it's much more than a 'heartbreak record'. 

"One thing I'm learning is that I don't mind what anybody thinks," said Martin, calling the LP "a realisation about trying to grow up."

He continued: "I don’t want to go through life being scared of it, being scared of rejection, being scared of failure...in life everybody needs to be broken in some way".

Martin went on: "I'm never going to be as adept lyrically as Jay Z or Morrissey. I don't really mind what anyone says about this album because it's just the truth. It's as true as my nose...Some people have a real problem with my nose, but what can I do?"

Martin also discussed his thoughts on being a stadium rock frontman, describing it as something 'only about 20 other people do' - describing his two 'key peers' as U2's Bono and REM's Michael Stipe, who have advised him throughout the years. 

"It does something to your brain which is odd," said Martin. "You have to work really hard not to be a real dick". 

25 April - E-Werk, Cologne, Germany
5 May - Beacon Theatre, New York, USA
19 May - Royce Hall, Los Angeles, USA
28 May - Casino de Paris, Paris, France
12 June - Dome City Hall, Tokyo, Japan
1 July - Royal Albert Hall, London, UK