So if the name really is Songs of Surrender, does that make anyone else think Songs of Ascent is still on the table for the next new album? I was wondering about the proximity of the releases as well and there’s a few things to unpack:
- they could call this anything at all, and surely as a reminder of great things they’ve done they don’t want to tie it to the anchor that is SOI/SOE in the public’s eyes. Why continue the theme unless it’s part of a story and not just a standalone vanity project?
- they have clearly been worried for 13 years that SOA was too cerebral to be the new u2 album and so they can absorb their need for commercial gratification with SOS and drop SOA 3 months later without the millstone around their neck of needing it to do well.
- touring is easier on a more reflective album if there are new versions of old songs to prop up the set list. With covid as well they can camp in places, play smaller venues and more relaxed shows.
Of course it’s just as likely that they are becoming very lazy and couldn’t think of anything better… that bodes well for new material…
I think this makes a lot of sense, and when you frame it in those ways, it really starts to look like a possibility. If they were to tour either SoS or a theoretical SoA, they'd probably compliment each other really well: "check out our new tour, with bold experimental new stuff, but also the old classics reimagined in a new way, so everyone's happy" kind of thing. Basically the BBC SoE orchestral promo show as a tour.
I think the only thing going against it is the rumour (mentioned in the same U2Songs article we're currently discussing) that the next album of new material will be "in a more rock n' roll vein".
However, it could always be that SoA isn't quite as meditative as has been implied - maybe it could feature both rock and other elements? Maybe a second attempt at what NLOTH failed to do (i.e. 'future hymns', plus more commerical/rock tracks) only this time, less compromise on either end,
or a more conscious, deliberate aim at the start of studio sessions to fuse eno/future hymn/reflective vibes with a commercial sound? All wishful thinking, I know
Otherwise, maybe SoS is attempting to serve a similar function to the JT Tour - an album and (very short) tour and promo appearances reminding the general public of when U2 made iconic music, before they hijacked everyone's iPhones, to try and get in good standing again before the release of new, unrelated material.
They could even use a late 2022 SoS promo tour to not so stealthily perform and promote the lead single of the next proper album (similar to playing TLTTGYA on the Jimmy Kimmel show where they were promoting the JT tour).
