U2 has surprised fans with the release of “Days of Ash,” a six-song EP marking a return to politically charged songwriting after a period of reflection and archival work. The release, arriving February 19, 2026, isn’t a precursor to a new studio album following 2019’s Songs of Experience, but rather a standalone project born from the urgency to address current events unfolding across the globe. The EP features the return of Larry Mullen Jr. On drums, following health challenges that kept him sidelined during the band’s residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
The band, approaching their 50th anniversary, isn’t shying away from difficult subjects. “We believe in a world where borders are not erased by force, where culture, language and memory are not silenced by fear, where the dignity of people is non-negotiable,” stated The Edge, 64, in a statement accompanying the release. “Our support for those whose freedom is threatened does not come from a desire to take sides in a power competition, but rather from a deep conviction that no people should be destroyed so that another can feel safe. We do not invoke war, we do not celebrate violence, we do not believe that peace is born from the conviction that ‘might makes right’ – we are convinced instead that peace lasts only when It’s rooted in law, moderation and respect for human life, everywhere.”
“American Obituary”: A Tribute to Renée Good and a Cry for Justice
The EP’s most striking track, “American Obituary,” directly confronts police brutality and injustice in the United States. The song is a tribute to Renée Good, a mother of three who was fatally shot by police in Minneapolis even as peacefully protesting, according to reports. The lyrics, filled with raw emotion, proclaim, “America will rise against the people of the lie… the power of the people is much stronger than the people in power.”
Bono, 65, described the song as an homage to Bob Dylan’s “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding),” telling a fan zine, Propaganda, that in Dylan’s song “the child sings to the mother, while in ours it’s the mother singing to her children: ‘I love you more than hate loves war.’” He characterized the songs on the EP as “songs of challenge, dismay and lament.”
Global Concerns Addressed in “Days of Ash”
Beyond the tragedy in Minneapolis, “Days of Ash” tackles a range of global issues. “Song of the Future” is dedicated to Sarina Esmailzadeh, a 16-year-old Iranian woman who died in 2022 after being beaten by security forces during protests related to the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement. “Wildpeace” features a poem by Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai, read by Nigerian artist Adeola Fayehun and arranged by producer Jacknife Lee.
The EP also includes “One Life at a Time,” inspired by the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, and dedicated to Awdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian consultant for the film who was killed in the West Bank by a settler. “Yours Eternally” features collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Taras Topolia, a musician and soldier, whom Bono and The Edge met during a surprise performance in the Kyiv metro in 2022. A short documentary accompanying “Yours Eternally,” directed by Ilya Mikhaylus, will be released on February 24th, marking the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Another standout track, “The Tears of Things,” directly addresses fascism and religious fundamentalism, drawing its title from Richard Rohr’s book, The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage. The song explores the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through an imagined conversation between Michelangelo and his David.
Bono emphasized the urgency behind the EP’s creation, stating, “The new songs will come then… because despite all the horror we see normalized daily on our little screens, there is nothing normal about these crazy, exasperating times, which we must oppose before we can begin to trust in the future.”
U2’s “Days of Ash” is available for streaming on all major platforms. The band’s willingness to engage with contemporary political and social issues demonstrates their continued relevance and commitment to using their platform for advocacy. The EP serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict and injustice, and a call for a more peaceful and equitable world.
As U2 continues to explore these themes, fans can anticipate further musical statements reflecting the band’s evolving perspective on a rapidly changing world. The release of future material will undoubtedly be closely watched, as the band continues to navigate the complexities of global politics and social unrest through their art.
