U2 Returns with ‘Days of Ash’: A Political & Musical Revival
After nearly a decade without original music since Songs of Experience (2017), U2 has returned with Days of Ash, a surprise six-song EP released on , coinciding with Ash Wednesday. The Irish band isn’t back with a collection of stadium anthems or gentle nostalgia. they’re attempting to recapture a fiery political edge, transforming contemporary tragedies into manifestos of guitars and words.
The opening track, “American Obituary,” is arguably the EP’s most impactful song: a direct tribute to Renée Good, the Minneapolis mother killed by an ICE officer in . Rather than resorting to euphemisms, Bono confronts the facts with starkness, elevating Good’s story to a protest anthem against state brutality and impunity. The lyrics, replete with potent imagery (“Renee Good born to die free / American mother of three…”), transform this opening into a piece of fierce indignation and visceral grief – a level of directness the band hasn’t consistently achieved since its most incendiary moments in the 1980s and 90s.
Musically, “American Obituary” blends The Edge’s powerful riffs with a funkier groove reminiscent of the band’s experimental periods, while Clayton and Mullen provide a rhythmic foundation evoking both classic rock and the urgency of a protest march.
The EP doesn’t relent. “The Tears of Things” traverses more contemplative and melancholic terrain, with a sonic palette balancing acoustic guitar, piano and a more susceptible and reflective vocal delivery from Bono. Other songs, such as “Song of the Future,” address the repression in Iran, while “One Life at a Time” focuses on the situation in Palestine.
One of the most discussed tracks is “Yours Eternally,” featuring Ed Sheeran and Ukrainian singer Taras Topolia of Antytila. This collaboration adds layers of pop aggression and international emotional resonance. While not all fans agree with the stylistic blend, it’s undeniable that U2 continues to seek a broader audience.
What’s clear is that Days of Ash isn’t just a musical return for U2; it’s an attempt to reclaim their political relevance. The EP arrives at a moment when many artists are grappling with how to respond to a world saturated with crises, and U2’s approach is decidedly direct. The band acknowledges the weight of current events, refusing to shy away from specific tragedies and injustices.
In a statement accompanying the EP’s release, Bono explained that these tracks “couldn’t wait; these songs were impatient to be out in the world.” He described them as “songs of defiance and dismay, of lamentation,” while also hinting at more celebratory music to come. This suggests a deliberate artistic choice: to address immediate concerns with urgency, rather than waiting for a larger album cycle.
The release of Days of Ash also coincides with the relaunch of Propaganda, a U2 fanzine, as a one-off digital zine and limited print run. Bono discussed “American Obituary” in the zine, noting the lyrical rhythm as a nod to Bob Dylan’s “It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding).” This connection to Dylan underscores U2’s long-standing tradition of protest songwriting and their willingness to engage with musical history.
The EP’s release has been met with critical attention, with some reviewers praising U2’s renewed political focus and crispness in sound, while others have questioned the effectiveness of certain stylistic choices. The Guardian noted the EP as reaffirming the band as a vital political voice, while acknowledging the long gap since their last original material.
Days of Ash – U2
1. “American Obituary”
2. “The Tears of Things”
3. “Song of The Future”
4. “Wildpeace”
5. “One Life At A Time”
6. “Yours Eternally” (feat. Ed Sheeran & Taras Topolia)