As expected, U2 is marking 50 years as a band with its first album of new material in nine years. The group announced “Carnaval De Luz”, a 12-track set due November. 13th via Interscope, alongside the arrival of the new single “Silencio” and its Mexico City-shot video. It was directed by Cliqua, the Mexican-American duo of Pasqual Gutiérrez and Raúl “RJ” Sanchez.
As previously reported, U2 signaled a new creative chapter this year with the surprise releases of the six-track EPs “Days of Ash” and “Easter Lily”. Those projects were recorded during the same period as “Carnaval De Luz“, which completes what the band describes as a sequence tied to the liturgical calendar: Lent, Easter and now Carnaval.
“Silencio,” is a brisk 2:35 blast of early surf/punk attitude, with additional production from OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder. The Edge describes the album as “a messy, provocative, sacred collection of songs,” while noting that it marks U2’s first recorded use of flat-wound strings.
Produced by Jacknife Lee, “Carnaval De Luz” finds Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. continuing to explore themes of spirituality, friendship, freedom and perseverance against “dark, encroaching forces.” The album combines some of U2’s more experimental impulses with comparatively direct songwriting on tracks including “The Greatest Show on Earth,” “Glorify” and “Midnight Sunshine.”
‘Carnaval De Luz’ is the exhilarating 16th studio album from U2, 12 melodically rich new songs from one of the most celebrated & enduring bands of all time. Acknowledged as one of the best live acts in the world, U2 has sales of over 175m & won numerous awards, incl. 22 Grammys. Set for release in the year Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen Jr. will mark 50 years together in U2, ‘Carnaval De Luz’ includes lead tracks ‘Street of Dreams’, ‘Silencio’ and the extraordinary ‘Torn (ft. Dolly Parton)’.
Spec:
3 x 12” 180g Heavyweight Vinyl – Featuring the New 12-track studio album, plus the ‘Days Of Ash” EP’ and ‘Easter Lily” EP’ – for the first time physically
Premium Deluxe Packaging:
1 x Gatefold sleeve housing the standard album, with printed inner sleeves and full-colour printed vinyl labels
2 x Single outer sleeves for the EPs, each featuring printed inner sleeves and QR codes linking to accompanying ‘Propaganda’ zines
12” Lift-off lid box with Full-Colour Artwork and Gloss Lamination Finish
16-Page booklet featuring Lyrics, Photography and Exclusive album imagery
Bespoke Vinyl slip-mat
The album arrives exactly 50 years after Mullen posted a handwritten notice at Dublin’s Mount Temple Comprehensive School seeking musicians to form a band. U2 is widely expected to tour in 2027 but no dates have yet been announced.
