Recording sessions for the album took place from November 2006 to April 2008 and featured production by Jon Hopkins, Rik Simpson, Markus Dravs, and Brian Eno.

Five songs were released in promotion of the album: "Violet Hill" and "Viva la Vida" in May 2008, "Lovers in Japan" and "Lost!"

The new baby, and the fact that Coldplay had no touring or recording schedule at the time, had fans wondering if the band's new album would not be released until 2010.

[7] Work on the album began in November 2006, only being interrupted by the Latin American leg of their Twisted Logic Tour in early 2007.

[10] Additionally, lead singer Chris Martin wanted to make a vocal transition from his trademark falsetto to a lower register.

The band's drummer Will Champion said in an interview for MTV: "One of the main things we tried to focus on with this record is changing vocal identities, because Chris has a very recognizable voice.

"[12] Coldplay sparked an interest with Hispanic influences after having recorded in churches and in Spanish-speaking countries such as in Mexico in North America and Spain in Europe,[13] specifically in Barcelona.

[15] Martin revealed he had been reading many Charles Dickens novels during the recording process which may have contributed to the strong visual imagery on such tracks as "Violet Hill" and "Cemeteries of London".

When asked about why "Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love" had an additional song, bassist Guy Berryman explained that the band had wanted to keep the album concise with a total of ten tracks.

"[15] The Italian violinist and composer Davide Rossi collaborated with Coldplay to record strings on his acoustic and electric violin (the latter being capable of reaching notes as low as the upright bass, thus recreating a full orchestra) throughout the album.

[citation needed] Martin described Viva la Vida as a new direction for Coldplay: a change from their past three albums, which they have referred to as a "trilogy".

[24] He said the album featured less falsetto, as he allowed his voice's lower register to take precedence,[24] which is particularly evident on such tracks as "Yes" and "Death and All His Friends".

[citation needed] Coldplay used customised French revolutionary costumes throughout the Viva la Vida Tour and in the videos produced for the album's singles.

[30] In an interview for the Latin American TV channel Boomerang in 2010, Martin said that a big inspiration for the record was Victor Hugo's book Les Misérables—which can be noted by the French revolution themes on "Viva la Vida", for example.

The design style for the album took months to be completed; it was initially developed from a set of large-scale sketches and paintings of expressive typography.

[38] In a Rolling Stone magazine interview, vocalist Chris Martin announced the album's release date and its title, Viva la Vida, which is a Spanish phrase that means in English "long live life".

[42] On 27 June at 7:00 am EDT, Coldplay began a live outdoor performance for the Today Show on the streets outside of Rockefeller Plaza, New York.

In August 2008, Coldplay announced they would be releasing an EP, Prospekt's March, consisting of unreleased material from the Viva la Vida recording sessions.

[47] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic stated, "They demonstrate a focused concentration throughout this tight album – it's only 47 minutes yet covers more ground than X&Y and arguably A Rush of Blood to the Head – that turns Viva la Vida into something quietly satisfying.

"[48] Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly magazine rated the album "A−" and called it their best album,[50] while Alexis Petridis of The Guardian, however, wrote a mixed review, explaining: "Viva la Vida's mild tinkering with the formula represents a failure of imagination: perhaps it's hard to think outside the box when the box is the size of the Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena.

"[51] Will Hermes of Rolling Stone magazine wrote that "Coldplay's desire to unite fans around the world with an entertainment they can all relate to is the band's strength, and a worthy goal.

"[56] Melodic magazine's critic Kaj Roth gave the album 4/5 and felt that "the typical Coldplay trademark is there too with beautiful atmospheric melodies that will embrace the heart".

[58] Spin magazine's critic Mikael Wood said in a positive review of the album, "For all of Coldplay's experimentation, though, there's no doubting that Viva la Vida, with its sturdy melodies and universal themes – think love, war and peace – is an album meant to connect with the masses (arenas have been built for less than the climax of "Death and All His Friends").

[57] IGN gave the album 9.3/10,[59] while Q said: "So some habits die hard, but on every other level Viva La Vida [...] is an emphatic success [...], radical in its own measured way but easy to embrace".

Robert Christgau gave it a one-star honourable mention (), saying: "Applying all his powers, Chris Martin successfully dilutes Radiohead, with — what else?

[71] Prior to its release, Viva la Vida became the most pre-ordered album in iTunes history, later setting the record for global first-week sales in the platform.

[122] It debuted at number one in 36 countries around the world,[123] achieved the highest album sales of 2008,[124] and became the best-selling record of the decade in the download format.

[131] It remained in the region for five consecutive weeks, selling 176,000 copies in the first month and eventually being certified 5× Platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association.

[138] The album has been retroactively described as transitional, being simultaneously "the most Coldplay record" and "unlike anything they'd done before", since the band continued to explore new styles and genres in subsequent releases.

[138] American singer and producer Finneas O'Connell has cited both Viva la Vida and Coldplay themselves as influences for his career.