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U2 Release Surprise Protest EP 'Days of Ash'

The unannounced six-song set arrives as a charged statement that critics say signals a reinvigorated band.

Overview

  • Issued digitally on Feb. 18 via Island Records, the midweek drop was released without prior notice.
  • Lead track “American Obituary” confronts U.S. politics and recounts, in its lyrics, the Jan. 7 shooting of Renée Nicole Macklin Good by ICE in Minneapolis, echoing the EP’s criticism of Trump-era rhetoric.
  • Other songs address global flashpoints: “Song of the Future” remembers Iranian teen Sarina Esmailzadeh, “One Life at a Time” honors Palestinian Odeh Hadalin, and “Yours Eternally” focuses on Ukrainian resilience.
  • Collaborations include Ed Sheeran and Ukrainian musician Taras Topolia, with a reading of Yehuda Amichai’s poem “Wildpeace” by Adeola accompanied by U2 and producer Jacknife Lee.
  • The release is presented as a precursor to a different-sounding full album planned for later this year and is paired with a new Propaganda fanzine featuring lyrics, Anton Corbijn photos, a band Q&A, and a note on drummer Larry Mullen Jr.’s improved health.