Days of Ash (2026)
1. American Obituary 2. The Tears of Things 3. Song of the Future 4. Wildpeace 5. One Life at a Time 6. Yours Eternally
Technically speaking, this isn't an album at all. It's an EP, which for younger readers raised entirely in the streaming era stands for "Extended Play"—a format that sits somewhere between a single and a full-length album. Once upon a time these things were fairly common. Then they largely disappeared. Now, somewhat surprisingly, they're making a modest comeback, particularly among newer artists who may not have the budget, patience, or material necessary for a full album.
I debated whether this release even belonged in my review section. Ultimately, I decided that it did for two reasons. First, the band clearly felt a sense of urgency. The material is overtly political, and given the current state of the Western world, one can hardly accuse them of lacking subject matter. Second—and perhaps more importantly—the music itself is considerably stronger than much of what U2 has released during the last decade. Ever since the infamous iTunes giveaway fiasco, the band has seemed oddly adrift, producing records that occasionally contained flashes of brilliance but rarely sustained them.
There are only five actual songs here. Six if one counts the eighty-second spoken-word piece Wildpeace. Personally, I wouldn't. The sentiment is admirable enough, but it contributes very little musically and feels more like an interlude searching for a purpose than a proper composition. Of the remaining five tracks, three are genuinely strong while the remaining two are likely destined to become footnotes in the band's extensive catalogue.
The opening number, American Obituary, immediately establishes the tone. Without diving headfirst into the political weeds, the song addresses one of the many controversies surrounding Donald Trump's presidency and does so with a level of conviction that has largely been missing from recent U2 releases. The band has never been shy about expressing political opinions. At times they've been accused of laying it on with a shovel rather than a trowel. In 2026, however, it almost feels stranger when artists don't address the social and political turmoil unfolding around them. More importantly, the song actually works. There's an urgency present that recalls some of the band's finest moments. The atmosphere, production, and emotional intensity occasionally bring to mind the spirit of Achtung Baby!, which is praise not handed out lightly.
The second major highlight is The Tears of Things. Once again, the lyrics deal with political and social themes, but unlike many modern protest songs, the music never feels secondary to the message. The chorus is instantly memorable, the verses are understated and effective, and the arrangement wisely leaves plenty of room for the lyrics to breathe. This is one of those songs where the words matter, but they're delivered within a framework strong enough to stand on its own. The closing track, Yours Eternally, featuring Ed Sheeran and Taras Topolia, provides another pleasant surprise. Guest appearances often feel forced, particularly when veteran bands attempt to appear contemporary by inviting younger artists along for the ride. Thankfully, that isn't the case here. The collaboration feels natural, adds enough variety to keep things interesting, and still sounds unmistakably like U2.
Unfortunately, the remaining two tracks are considerably less successful. Song of the Future sounds suspiciously like something left over from the band's less inspired recent years. One can almost imagine it sitting forgotten on a hard drive since the iTunes era, waiting for an opportunity to escape. Meanwhile, One Life at a Time suffers from a different problem. It's perfectly pleasant while it's playing, but the moment it ends, it evaporates from memory with astonishing efficiency. Multiple listens do little to improve the situation.
Still, three successes out of five isn't a bad batting average. More importantly, Days of Ash feels alive. That's something that could not always be said about U2's recent output. For the first time in quite a while, the band sounds engaged, motivated, and emotionally invested in the material. The songs possess a spark that has been missing for years. Whether this represents the beginning of a genuine creative renaissance remains to be seen. Longtime fans can only hope.