U2 has surprise released a 6-track EP that is presented as an “independent collection” prior to the release of its new album, scheduled for late 2026. ‘Days of Ash’ is U2’s response “to current events” and opens with ‘American Obituary’, a song about the murder of Renee Good at the hands of ICE in January 2026.
The EP brings together five songs and a recited poem, ‘Wildpeace’, featuring Adeola and Jacknife Lee. ‘Yours Eternally’ brings together Ed Sheeran and Ukrainian singer Tarás Topolia.
The material on ‘Days of Ash’ is inspired “by the many extraordinary and brave people fighting on the front lines for freedom.” According to the official note, “four of the five songs are about people – a mother, a father, a teenager – whose lives were brutally cut short; a soldier who would rather be singing, but who is willing to die for the freedom of his country.
U2’s next album will be their first based on original material since the release of ‘Songs of Experience’ in 2017, as their last released work, ‘Songs of Surrender’, was made up of re-recorded songs.
