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U2 Returns with Politically Charged Surprise EP ‘Days of Ash’
Legendary rock band U2 has released a surprise EP titled “Days of Ash,” continuing their decades-long tradition of addressing global injustices through music. The five-song collection, released Wednesday, represents an urgent response to current world events, focusing on individuals caught in conflicts across the globe.
“These EP tracks couldn’t wait; these songs were impatient to be out in the world,” frontman Bono explained in a statement. “They are songs of defiance and dismay, of lamentation. Songs of celebration will follow, we’re working on those now.”
The collection stands apart from the band’s forthcoming album expected later this year, with these tracks specifically crafted as a response to what the band describes as “the many extraordinary and courageous people fighting on the frontlines of freedom.”
The EP opens with “American Obituary,” a tribute to Renée Macklin Good, a 37-year-old mother of three killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis this January. The track carries the signature chiming guitar sound of The Edge, reminiscent of the band’s early 2000s work, while Bono repeats the pointed refrain: “The power of the people is so much stronger than the people in power.”
“Yours Eternally,” featuring Ed Sheeran and Ukrainian soldier-turned-musician Tara Topolia, was inspired by Bono and The Edge’s 2022 trip to Kyiv at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The song adopts the perspective of a soldier writing from the frontlines of war. A documentary short for this track is scheduled for release on February 24, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Other tracks include “The Tears of Things,” an acoustic ballad imagining a dialogue between Michelangelo’s David statue and its creator, and “Song of the Future,” which honors Sarina Esmailzadeh, the 16-year-old Iranian schoolgirl who participated in the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom protests following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini.
The collection also features “Wildpeace,” a poem by Israeli author Yehuda Amichai read by Nigerian artist Adeola over music produced by U2 with Jacknife Lee. “One Life at a Time” closes the EP, honoring Palestinian teacher and activist Awdah Hathaleen, who was killed in the West Bank in July 2025 during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
Alongside the musical release, U2 has revived their official “Propaganda” magazine, producing a 40th-anniversary edition titled “U2 Days of Ash: Six Postcards From the Present… Wish We Weren’t There.” The 52-page publication includes the EP’s lyrics, links to articles about immigration tactics, and contributions from all four band members.
Notably, drummer Larry Mullen Jr. addresses his absence from the band’s recent Las Vegas Sphere residency due to injury, stating: “It wasn’t easy” missing those performances. He expresses confidence in the band’s upcoming full album, saying, “I believe the new songs stand up to our best work.”
The Edge writes in an essay for the magazine: “We believe in a world where borders are not erased by force. Where culture, language and memory are not silenced by fear. Where the dignity of people is not negotiable.”
“Days of Ash” represents U2’s first collection of new material since 2017’s “Songs of Experience.” The band announced that contributions in support of the issues highlighted in the EP will be made to Amnesty International, The Committee to Protect Journalists, and the UN Refugee Agency.
The release continues U2’s long-standing tradition of politically engaged music that dates back to early classics like 1983’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” 1984’s “Pride (In the Name of Love),” and 1987’s “Mothers of the Disappeared” — reinforcing their commitment to addressing human rights issues through their art.
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7 Comments
I’ll have to give this new U2 EP a listen. It’s encouraging to see popular artists using their platform to shine a light on issues like the Ukraine war and immigrant rights.
U2 has never shied away from tackling tough topics through their music. This new EP about the Ukraine conflict and Renée Good’s death is an example of that commitment.
While I’m not a big U2 fan, I respect their willingness to tackle complex geopolitical topics through their music. The Ukraine conflict and the ICE-related death of Renée Good are certainly worthy of attention.
This EP seems like a powerful artistic response to current events. I appreciate U2’s commitment to using their platform to draw attention to important causes, even if their political views may be controversial at times.
An interesting move by U2 to release a politically charged EP in the midst of ongoing global conflicts. Their music has long been a vehicle for social commentary.
Interesting to see U2 using their platform to highlight global issues like the Ukraine conflict and the tragic death of Renée Good. Their music has often served as a voice for the voiceless.
It’s interesting to see U2 release a more politically charged EP in the midst of current global events. Their music has long served as a voice for the voiceless.