U2 has returned with a potent statement, releasing their first collection of new music since 2017 with the six-song EP, Days of Ash. The project isn’t simply a return to form for the Irish rock band; it’s a direct engagement with a world grappling with conflict, injustice, and political turmoil, tackling issues ranging from ICE raids in the U.S. To the war in Ukraine.
The EP’s opening track, “American Obituary,” is a particularly searing indictment, dedicated to Renée Good, a mother of three fatally shot by ICE agents during a protest in Minneapolis on . Bono’s lyrics are unflinching: “Renee Good, born to die free / American mother of three / seventh day January / a bullet for each child, as you can see.” The song doesn’t shy away from questioning the narrative surrounding Good’s death, labeling her a “domestic terrorist” and challenging the justification for the use of force.
Bono, in an interview accompanying the EP’s release, described Good as “a woman committed to nonviolent civil disobedience” and expressed dismay at the characterization leveled against her by Kristi Noem, head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He argued that such labeling represents a dangerous erosion of meaning itself, stating, “This was an attempt to assassinate meaning itself, the meaning of words, the meaning of truth. If you let people [get] away with that, you can kiss your democracy goodbye.” He has called for an independent inquiry into her death, emphasizing the need for accountability.
But Days of Ash extends far beyond the borders of the United States. “Song of the Future” focuses on the Women, Life, Freedom protest movement in Iran, specifically naming Sarina Esmailzadeh, a 16-year-old who died during the protests in after allegedly being beaten by Iranian security forces. Bono sings, “Sarina, Sarina, she’s the song of the future playing in my mind,” and characterized the ruling class in Iran as “a priestly class of men whose subjective interpretation of sacred text becomes a club to beat the heads in of anyone who disagrees.”
The EP also addresses the ongoing conflict in the West Bank with “One Life at a Time,” a song inspired by the killing of Awdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian activist shot by an Israeli settler in . Bono described the killing as “heinous” and expressed hope that the song would offer “a balm” to those affected by the violence.
Beyond specific tragedies, the EP delves into broader themes of conflict and reconciliation. “The Tears of Things” draws inspiration from the work of Richard Rohr, exploring violence and anger through a reimagining of a conversation between Michelangelo’s David and its sculptor. “Wildpeace” features a recitation of a poem by Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai, read by Nigerian musician Adeola, set to music by U2.
Bono emphasized the importance of confronting antisemitism, stating, “It’s the moral force of Judaism that helped shape western civilisation.” He acknowledged the horrors of the attacks on Israel but also criticized Netanyahu’s response as “sweeping brutality.”
The EP’s closing track, “Yours Eternally,” features a collaboration with Ed Sheeran and Ukrainian musician Taras Topolia, who has left his musical career to fight in the conflict with Russia. The song is presented as a letter from a soldier on the front lines, a testament to the human cost of war. The collaboration stemmed from a meeting brokered by Sheeran and a performance U2 gave in a Kyiv metro station converted into a bomb shelter in .
Bono acknowledged the weight of the subject matter, stating, “Songs of celebration will follow, we’re working on those now,” and describing the upcoming album as having “a carnival vibe … a more defiantly joyful feel.” However, he also cautioned against overwhelming audiences with negativity, suggesting a need to “ration the bad news as there’s only so much a soul can take.”
The release of Days of Ash marks a significant moment for U2, not just as a return to new music, but as a reaffirmation of their long-held commitment to social and political engagement. As Larry Mullen Jr. Put it, taking a position on important issues is “a big side of who we are and why we still exist.” The EP serves as a stark reminder that even amidst the “mad and maddening times,” as Bono describes them, art can still be a powerful force for awareness, empathy, and change.
U2 confirmed that a full album is slated for release later this year, separate from the material presented on Days of Ash.
