U2 has released a surprise EP, “Days of Ash,” a collection of songs born from a sense of urgency and responding to the anxieties of the present moment. The release, arriving on Ash Wednesday, February 18, is a departure in tone from the material the band is currently preparing for a full album later this year, according to frontman Bono. The EP’s tracks grapple with themes of defiance and dismay, reflecting a world grappling with conflict and uncertainty.
“It’s been a thrill having the four of us back together in the studio over the last year… the songs on ‘Days Of Ash’ are highly different in mood and theme to the ones we’re going to put on our album later in the year,” Bono said, as reported by NME. “The songs already couldn’t wait. They are songs of defiance and dismay, our lament.”
The band, comprised of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr., felt compelled to release the EP now, recognizing the weight of current events. Bono explained, “After these songs come joyful ones, which we are working on. But given the horrors we are seeing on our screens every day, we have to push back before we can regain faith in the future and in each other.”
Songs Rooted in Real-World Tragedy
“Days of Ash” doesn’t shy away from specific instances of tragedy. The track “American Obituary” is inspired by the death of Renée Nicole Goodová, a 37-year-old woman killed by an agent of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis on January 7th. The incident occurred during a raid where agents were attempting to deport over two thousand people. “Song of the Future” centers on the story of Sarina Esmailzadeh, a 16-year-old who was killed by Iranian security forces during protests in 2022. “One Life At A Time” honors Awdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian man killed by an Israeli settler in his village in the West Bank last year.
Perhaps the most poignant collaboration on the EP is “Yours Eternally,” which features Ed Sheeran and Taras Topolia, a Ukrainian musician who has joined the armed forces. The song’s origins trace back to a visit Bono and The Edge made to Kyiv in the spring of 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. There, they played in a subway station, offering a moment of respite amidst the conflict.
Prior to that performance, Ed Sheeran connected Bono with Topolia and his band, Antytila. The three musicians met in person on a subway platform, forging a friendship that continues to this day. “Yours Eternally,” sparked by an idea from Topolia, serves as a letter from a Ukrainian soldier, according to reports.
A Companion Piece: The New ‘Propaganda’
Accompanying the EP is a special issue of “Propaganda,” a magazine historically linked to U2. The first printed edition of “Propaganda” was distributed to fans in February 1986, emerging from the punk culture of “zines” that prioritized uncompromising viewpoints and open dialogue. This new iteration, titled “U2 – Days Of Ash: Six Postcards From The Present… Wish We Weren’t Here,” continues that spirit. The 52-page magazine features interviews with director Ilja Michajlus, producer Piotr Verzilov, and musician/soldier Taras Topolia, alongside the EP’s lyrics, notes from all four U2 members, and a Q&A with Bono.
The Edge emphasized the band’s core beliefs, stating, “We believe in a world where borders are not erased by force, where culture, language and memory are not silenced by fear, and where a nation’s dignity is beyond question. This belief is not a fleeting fashion statement or a political stunt. We see the foundation on which we stand. And we stand on it together.”
Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. Expressed confidence in the new material, stating, “I believe our new songs will stand up to our best function. We talk a lot about when to release new recordings. You can never be quite sure, but this moment, especially given what’s happening in the world, feels right.” Bassist Adam Clayton echoed that sentiment, adding, “I’m excited about the new songs. I sense like they’re coming at the right time.”
A short documentary film accompanying the release of the “Yours Eternally” music video, directed by Ukrainian cinematographer Ilja Michajlus, is scheduled to premiere on February 24th.
The EP also includes a reading of the poem “Wildpeace” by Israeli author and poet Yehuda Amichai, and explores themes of compassion in times of violence through a reimagining of a conversation between Michelangelo’s David and its creator in the song “The Tears Of Things.”
U2’s “Days of Ash” is available now. Fans can find lyric videos for all five tracks, plus the poem, on the band’s official channels. The release marks a powerful statement from a band that continues to engage with the world’s complexities, offering both lament and a call for resilience.
The band’s next scheduled release is a full album later in 2026. Further details regarding the album’s release date and tracklist are expected in the coming months. Stay tuned to official U2 channels for updates.
