British balladeers Coldplay, whose poignant songs have garnered larger audiences in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, are nearly finished recording their second album.

The band has written more than 20 new songs for the as-yet-untitled album, which the group said will hit stores in June.

"We started recording the week after September 11, which gave us a fresh perspective," singer Chris Martin said recently. "The new songs are reflective of new attitudes. [They tell listeners] not to be frightened. Anybody can achieve whatever they want to."

Coldplay played some of the new material on their various tours throughout the year, but the songs don't have permanent titles yet, Martin said.

Released more than a year ago, the band's debut, Parachutes, is still picking up steam. The nearly platinum album sold 16,400 copies last week, up about 3,000 from the week before. "Trouble," the LP's third single, has proven nearly as successful as the band's breakthrough hit, "Yellow" (see [article id="1427212"]"Coldplay Escapes City For 'Yellow' Single, Video"[/article]).

"We thought it was a great song, but not a single," Martin said. "We never thought it'd play in America. It's not exactly Korn. It's saved us from being a one-hit wonder."

Coldplay recently released a limited-edition CD with a remix of "Yellow" and the holiday classic "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," but don't count on buying it at your local record store. Only 1,000 copies were issued to fans and journalists.

Martin said the next Coldplay single will be from their new album and won't hit radio until spring. "It's called 'Yellow Part Two,' " he joked.

The band just returned to a London recording studio after playing a few holiday shows in America, including the KROQ-FM Almost Acoustic Christmas show in Los Angeles.

"We get slightly frightened [at Christmas shows]," Martin said. "We just played with System of a Down and Nickelback. We relish challenges, but it's not the best place to play piano ballads."