U2’s Easter Lily EP: A Deep Dive into Faith, Grief & Renewal

U2 has surprised fans again with the release of a new EP, Easter Lily, just weeks after dropping Days of Ash. The six-song collection, released on Good Friday (April 3, 2026), marks the band’s second unannounced EP of the year and represents a shift inward, exploring themes of friendship, grief, faith and renewal.

Unlike Days of Ash, which responded to global unrest, Easter Lily delves into more personal territory. Bono described the band as being in “wilderness years,” while still working on a full-length album intended for live performance. These EPs, he explained, serve as thematic snapshots of the band’s current creative process.

“We are in the studio, still working towards a noisy, messy, ‘unreasonably colourful’ album to play LIVE… which is where U2 lives,” Bono said in a statement. “We still look to vivid rock n roll as an act of resistance against all this awfulness on our small screens. These are for sure ‘wilderness years’ for so many of us looking at the mayhem out there in the world.”

The EP features “Song for Hal,” a lament for the late music producer Hal Willner, with The Edge taking on lead vocals. Other tracks include “In a Life,” which celebrates friendship, and “Scars,” which explores self-acceptance and survival. “Resurrection Song” leans into spiritual themes, while the title track, “Easter Lily,” is described as a devotional meditation on rebirth.

The closing track, “COEXIST (I Will Bless The Lord At All Times?),” features a soundscape created by Brian Eno and is framed as a lullaby for parents navigating conflict.

“It’s a time that has our band digging deeper into our lives to find a wellspring of songs to try meet the moment,” Bono said. “With Easter Lily we ended up asking very personal questions like: are our own relationships up to these challenging times? How hard do you fight for friendship? Can our faith survive the mangling of meaning that those algorithms love to reward? Is all religion rubbish and still ripping us apart…? Or are there answers to find in its crevices? Are there ceremonies, rituals, dances that we might be missing in our lives? From the rite of spring to easter and its promise of rebirth and renewal… Patti Smith’s album Easter gave me so much hope when it was released in 1978. I wasn’t yet 18. The title is a nod to her.”

Bono, via a note to fans

Bono noted that the title of the EP is a tribute to Patti Smith’s 1978 album, Easter, which he said gave him hope as a teenager. He also emphasized the band’s intention to release a more traditional album later in 2026, built for live performance.

The release strategy for Easter Lily mirrors that of Days of Ash, foregoing traditional industry promotion in favor of a direct connection with fans. “We will attempt hoopla and fanfare at a later date,” Bono wrote, “but in the meantime, this is between you and us.”

Accompanying the EP is a new digital edition of Propaganda, the band’s long-running fanzine. This edition includes studio photography by drummer Larry Mullen Jr., reflections on recovery from bassist Adam Clayton, and essays that complement the EP’s introspective themes.

With over 175 million records sold worldwide and 22 Grammy Awards, U2 remains one of Ireland’s most successful and influential musical exports. The band continues to explore new creative avenues while maintaining a strong connection with its dedicated fanbase.

Easter Lily is available now on YouTube and all major streaming platforms.