Recommendations of the Editorial team
U2 have released a new EP – “Days of Ash”.
- 1. American Obituary
- 2. The Tears of Things
- 3. Song of The Future
- 4. Wildpeace – by Yehuda Amichai, read by Adeola, with music by U2 and Jacknife Lee
- 5. One Life At A Time
- 6. Yours Eternally (feat. Ed Sheeran & Taras Topolia)
As a precursor to a new studio album due out at the end of 2026, U2 have released Days Of Ash, a standalone EP that brings together five new songs and a poem set to music: “American Obituary”, “The Tears Of Things”, “Song Of The Future”, “Wildpeace”, “One Life At A Time” and “Yours Eternally” – with guest stars Ed Sheeran and Taras Topolia.
U2 release “Days of Ash”: All information about the EP!
Bono describes the creation of the EP as an “intense moment of reunion”: “It was electrifying to be the four of us in the studio again. The songs on ‘Days Of Ash’ are clearly different from the material that will appear on the album later this year. But we couldn’t hold them back any longer – they wanted out. They are songs of resistance, of horror, of lament. More solemn pieces follow. Because nothing about these times is normal, even if we have images of them on our little ones every day “We have to face this in order to regain trust in the future – and in each other.”
Larry Mullen Jr.: “Whether someone needs a new record from us depends on whether it deserves to be heard. I think these songs are in no way inferior to our strongest work. The timing of new music is never easy to determine – but when you look at the world, it feels right now. Since our early collaborations with Amnesty or Greenpeace, attitude has always been part of our identity. Reactions are inevitable. But that’s exactly one of the reasons why we still exist.”
Adam Clayton: “I’m excited about these songs – and convinced that they need to be released right now.”
The Edge: “We believe in a world in which boundaries are not pushed by violence. In which culture, language and memory are not silenced by fear. In which dignity is non-negotiable. This is not fashion, but our foundation. And we stand on it together.”
Reference to the killing of Renée Nicole Macklin Good
“American Obituary” refers to the events of January 7, 2026 in Minneapolis, when Renée Nicole Macklin Good was shot at point-blank range by ICE officers during a peaceful protest.
“The Tears Of Things” is based on a book by the Franciscan Richard Rohr. The song deals with a conversation between Michelangelo’s “David” and his creator.
“Song Of The Future” is reminiscent of Sarina Esmailzadeh: The 16-year-old Iranian was mistreated by security forces and succumbed to her injuries – official authorities explained her death differently.
“Wildpeace” is a reading of the poem by Israeli author Yehuda Amichai. It will be performed by Adeola (Les Amazones d’Afrique), musically accompanied by U2 and producer Jacknife Lee.
“One Life At A Time”: a dedication to Odeh Hadalin, a Palestinian activist and English teacher who was killed in his West Bank village on July 28, 2025. Hadalin had worked as a consultant on the documentary film “No Other Land”.
“Yours Eternally” was created in collaboration with the Ukrainian musician and soldier Taras Topolia and Ed Sheeran. Shortly after the start of the 2022 Russian invasion, Bono and The Edge played in a Kyiv subway station at Zelensky’s invitation. There they met Topolia in person.
Short film with U2
The piece is accompanied by a four and a half minute documentary by Ukrainian cameraman Ilya Mikhaylus. The premiere takes place on February 24th, the anniversary of the invasion. Shot in December 2025, the film will show the life of Alina and her comrades at the front.
“Propaganda” is back
Parallel to the EP, a new edition of “Propaganda” magazine will be released, digitally and as a limited print edition. 40 years ago, in February 1986, the first issue of the U2 fan club magazine was published.
The new e-zine “U2 – Days Of Ash: Six Postcards From The Present… Wish We Weren’t Here.” contains 52 pages with exclusive conversations with director Ilya Mikhaylus and producer Pyotr Verzilov, plus contributions from Taras Topolia, song lyrics, personal texts from the band members and a Q&A with Bono.
