New Album Discussion 1 - Songs of..... - Unreasonable guitar album

[JamietheEdgefan]

seems to be


I'm willing to bet it'll sound sonically different from the last couple records. I believe them.

that said, I'm guessing the work with Eno is largely a revisit of tunes they've worked on for years now. Probably stretching back to NLOTH era - songs they had identified for Songs of Ascent at one time. Only brought back into the light to be rerecorded, rethought. Probably bringing in some of the Irish musicians they've worked with along with way, like those in the letterman Disney doc.

If it does turn out as you predict, picking up material from the NLOTH era that was planned for Songs of Ascent at the time, and working with Eno once again, then the next album could essentially be Songs of Ascent, albeit probably under a different name (Bono said the ‘songs of’ era is over). Maybe ‘Pilgrims Lack of Progress’ (a NLOTH outtake rumoured for SoA, and also the working title for ‘Stories of Surrender’, so clearly still on Bono’s mind).

Edge did actually namedrop the Irish folk musicians they’ve been working with (at least as of last autumn, I imagine the list could have grown/changed since then): Cormac Begley, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, and Dermot Sheedy. They all have stuff on instagram if anyone’s curious as to what instruments they play/what kind of music they make.

Here’s a track by Colm Mac Con Iomaire, an atmospheric, cinematic piano piece with some beautiful strings woven in. Worth a listen on its own I reckon, but could be a possible window into some of the sounds we might get on the next album:

 

[pacemaker]

That’s a nice song. If they can find space to breathe and atmospherics again, I think that in and of itself would be a win.

Pop is a really busy record, but it has an ebb and a flow that every record after kind of lacks for the most part. I would love a more contemplative record, and a minimalist/neoclassical/classical crossover approach could work really well. I know it’s basically what we’ve expected SoA (or whatever it ends up being called) to be, but at this point in their career “experimental” might just mean that they experiment with being less busy and chill out about needing a hit for the charts.


EDIT* I just got a pop up telling me I was replying to a hot topic and to proceed with civility. Whatever, that’s fine (albeit weird), but the pop up is not mobile friendly. Mods?

 

[DancingBrft]

I really don’t ever care what any new U2 music sounds like if they just are honest creatively, and commit to THEIR vision. I’m not sure they have that in them anymore, I hope they do! For example, what, like 2018 Springsteen put out a “Glen Campbell like” solo album “Western Stars” and it was good! A guy in his 60’s making a style of record he never made before, he does what he wants creatively. I don’t see him worried about how people react, he puts out and plays what he wants. That’s what U2 did up until 2000. Parts of NLOTH and SOI hinted that it’s still in there somewhere. “Invisible” was a bold and fresh new direction, great single, new but still sounded like U2 and they lost their nerve.

 

[ascender_RS]

If you put aside their traditional approach to having a single album to base everything around, there could be lots of session material from over the years which could be worked-up into a more atmospheric, cinematic release - although maybe that would be too much like Passengers?

Fez sessions with the local musicians... early Pop stuff with Howie B when Larry was laid up... I'm sure there's loads of stuff with Irish musicians from different backgrounds... anything with Eno...

Could be interesting if Edge were to go through the vaults and pull something together on a theme or maybe for a soundtrack.

I know it'll never happen...

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

Bruce also put out Night Shift. He always does whatever he wants creatively and he always has, that's one thing among many things that I admire so much about him.

At some point in life you have to reach the point of zero f s left to give. Some people, and some bands, just never do.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

New single

 

[ferball415]

New single

Guess he’s finally come around to not loathing some of his very best lyrics. #TheyreDumb

 

[ascender_RS]

Bruce also put out Night Shift. He always does whatever he wants creatively and he always has, that's one thing among many things that I admire so much about him.

At some point in life you have to reach the point of zero f s left to give. Some people, and some bands, just never do.

I've no doubt it's easier to do that when you're effectively one man who calls the shots.

 

[ascender_RS]

New single

Sounds good. Can't wait to hear the album if that's the direction they're taking.

(What's going on btw with these videos?!)

 

[Hewson]

New single

Wow, who'd have thunk U2 could create such music this late in their career.

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

I've no doubt it's easier to do that when you're effectively one man who calls the shots.

Of course it is, but I think at this point the four members of U2 should be able to form a creative consensus.

 

[TinKnight]

This new song Bad is good (ironic), but does it compare to American Soul?

 

[The John Tree]

You! Are! ...Sci-Fi Folk! You and I are! Sci-Fi Folk! You! Are! Sci-Fi Folk! I came here looking for some Irish folk!

 

[super fly guy]

 

[DancingBrft]

I've no doubt it's easier to do that when you're effectively one man who calls the shots.

Maybe easier, but not impossible. Again, it could be a work ethic issue where they don’t have it in them to fight for the best music versus what’s easier anymore

 

[The John Tree]

Of course it is, but I think at this point the four members of U2 should be able to form a creative consensus.

This might be tougher than you think. I'd say anyone still posting on Interference in the year of our Lord 2025 is a pretty massive U2 fan, yet I think we all have differing definitions of 'good U2' and 'bad U2.' I imagine the same holds true inside the band.

 

[super fly guy]

Larry lives!

 

[JamietheEdgefan]

So heartwarming to see them all together again. Made me way happier than I thought it would.

Also, the first footage of the band in the same room as Brian Eno since what, 2009? (Sure it’s for an awards ceremony, but still!)

 

[DeVaul]

what the fuck is on Bono’s head?

 

[Fly-2000]

what the fuck is on Bono’s head?

The future!

 

[The John Tree]

Everyone gives Bono a hard time for being short, but I'm just now realizing that Larry's about the same height.

 

[super fly guy]

U2: 'We want to make the sound of the future'

In an exclusive interview, the band talk about their first album since 2017's Songs of Innocence.

www.bbc.com

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2025/0522/1514446-bono-says-stop-war-as-u2-honoured-in-london/

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

New producer!

 

[MattD]

https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2025/0522/1514446-bono-says-stop-war-as-u2-honoured-in-london/

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When I said their Irish sci folk would be watered down into Galway Girl....

 

[The John Tree]

Adam looks like he could be his grandfather, while Larry looks like he could be his oldest brother.

 

[DancingBrft]

U2: 'We want to make the sound of the future'

In an exclusive interview, the band talk about their first album since 2017's Songs of Innocence.

www.bbc.com

“Whenever I try to get out……they pull me back in!!”

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

 

[pacemaker]

There was an air of MacPhisto when Bono was talking about Edge breaking up the band.

It’s good to see them together and having fun. I’m looking forward to looking forward to whatever they put out next.

 

[allaras]

Can we put Angel of Harlem away for a decade or so?