U2 have released Days of Ash, a six-track EP that marks the band’s first collection of original music since 2017. Described by Bono as an “immediate response” to world events, the EP tackles war, politics, and human rights through songs of defiance, dismay, and lamentation.

Days of Ash is a concise, emotionally charged work, featuring five new songs and a reading of the poem Wildpeace by Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai, performed by Nigerian artist Adeola of Les Amazones d'Afrique with music by U2 and Jacknife Lee. The EP pays tribute to real people whose lives have been tragically cut short, highlighting stories of courage and resilience.

The lead track, American Obituary, focuses on Renée Nicole Macklin Good, a Minneapolis mother of three shot during a peaceful protest on January 7th, 2026. The song condemns the labeling of Good as a “domestic terrorist” and reflects U2’s commitment to speaking out on human rights abuses. Song of the Future honors Sarina Esmailzadeh, a 16-year-old killed during protests in Iran as part of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in 2022. One Life at a Time commemorates Palestinian father Awdah Hathaleen, a nonviolent activist killed by an Israeli settler in 2025.

The EP closes with Yours Eternally, featuring British singer Ed Sheeran and Ukrainian musician Taras Topolia. Written as a letter from a Ukrainian soldier on active duty, the track is paired with a short documentary film directed by Ilya Mikhaylus, scheduled for release on February 24th, the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Bono and The Edge first met Topolia while busking in the Kyiv metro in 2022, forming the collaboration that now anchors this track.

Bono described the EP as songs that “couldn’t wait; these songs were impatient to be out in the world.” He added that they are distinct in mood from the celebratory material planned for U2’s full album expected later in 2026. Larry Mullen Jr. emphasized that the timing felt right given the state of the world, noting the band’s history of engagement with political causes. The Edge spoke about the EP as grounded in a belief in human dignity and the power of people, while Adam Clayton expressed excitement about the timing of the release.

In addition to the music, U2 has revived their fan magazine, Propaganda, for a special one-off edition titled U2 – Days of Ash: Six Postcards from the Present… Wish We Weren’t Here. The 52-page publication includes interviews with the band, the director of Yours Eternally, and Taras Topolia, along with song lyrics and behind-the-scenes insights.

Critical response from fans has been immediate. On social media, one listener commented that “U2’s better when they’re not comfortable. Nice to see them wake up after a two-decade slumber.” Another summed it up simply: “The boys are back! Really like this.”

Days of Ash is available now for digital download and streaming on all platforms. The Propaganda special edition is available digitally and as a limited print run at select independent record stores across Europe and North America. Contributions in support of freedom and human rights will be made to Amnesty International, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the UN Refugee Agency.

Tracklist:

American Obituary

The Tears of Things

Song of the Future

Wildpeace (by Yehuda Amichai, read by Adeola, with music by U2 and Jacknife Lee)

One Life at a Time

Yours Eternally (ft. Ed Sheeran & Taras Topolia)

Days of Ash positions U2 not just as musicians but as chroniclers of our times, channeling the urgency of current events into music that is both personal and political.

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.