I've seen stupid, and yes forgive my candor but that's what it is, stupid claims that we were just getting U2's final album for ATYCLB, HTDAAB, NLOTH, Soi, and now Soe/Soa.
It's nonsense.
There are only 3 reasons for U2 to ever wrap it up:
1. No one wants to listen to them anymore.
2. They're creatively dead (REM syndrome.)
3. Outside forces give them no choice.
I haven't yet decided where the new album falls in the pantheon of best to worst U2 albums, but there's no denying its fire. This is not a last gasp, a last charge. This is a band standing on a piece of land above a volcano.
I expect another 1-2 albums over the course of the next 2 years, and then another album around 2020. And then, if they're still inspired? If they're still physically able? If people will still listen? I expect we may be lucky enough to get even more.
They haven't seemed this vibrant since 1988. I'll say it: 1988. Even on Achtung Baby, it seemed like they had to fight to get their masterpieces. Whereas this all sounds effortless.
Half the people on this thread will be dead before U2 is done.