Surprise EP Release - Days of Ash - All Discussion Here

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Happy new music day, folks. The band just dropped a surprise 6 track EP on us called Days of Ash.

Update 12:05 pm

New edition of Propaganda to join the party U2 Propaganda Days of Ash EP

Update 12:06

We have lyric videos -

Track 1.

Track 2.

Track 3.

Track 4.

Track 5. - YouTube

Track 6. - YouTube

Update 12:12 - Rolling Stone article

U2 Surprise Drop Politically-Charged 'Days of Ash' EP With Six New Songs

U2 are emerging from a long break with the six-song EP 'Days of Ash,' which tackles issues in America, Iran, Israel, and Ukraine.

www.rollingstone.com

Commence discussion... this post will be updated.

NOTE - AS THIS EP IS VERY POLITICAL IN NATURE, IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT SOME OF THE DISCUSSION OF THE EP AND SONGS WILL VENTURE INTO POLITICAL AREAS. THIS IS FINE, BUT PLEASE JUST TREAD LIGHTLY. ANYTHING ARGUMENTATIVE WILL BE MOVED TO FYM.

 

[ascender_RS]

What the what?!!

Gobsmacked.

 

[dan_smee]

One Life at a Time is pretty gorgeous. American Prayer makes a small appearance

 

[prbiker15]

Holy crap. What a great day to log back in, by the way.

Will be listening in a few…

 

[Registered Dude]

nice bass work in Song of the Future

 

[mikal]

I stopped in the middle of The Tears Of Things and started over with my noise cancelling AirPods. The Tears Of Things is gorgeous.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

I stopped in the middle of The Tears Of Things and started over with my noise cancelling AirPods. The Tears Of Things is gorgeous.

yea i'm just listening on my cell phone speaker for now since i'm at work, but will have to revisit when i get a chance

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

 

[Registered Dude]

ed sheeran lol

 

[Registered Dude]

lyric videos for all

 

[Registered Dude]

U2 Surprise Drop Politically-Charged 'Days of Ash' EP With Six New Songs

U2 are emerging from a long break with the six-song EP 'Days of Ash,' which tackles issues in America, Iran, Israel, and Ukraine.

www.rollingstone.com

 

[dan_smee]

So this is sci-fi folk?

 

[prbiker15]

Even a surprise Propaganda one-off issue…there goes my productivity for the next hour.

 

[mikal]

New Album confirmed later this year.

 

[pacemaker]

okay, I can’t wait to listen to this. I love how buttoned up they were about it.

I’ve long wished for them to release multiple EPs, and if this is the beginning of something like that, I am stoked.

 

[dan_smee]

“The songs on Days of Ash are very different in mood and theme to the ones we’re going to put on our album later in the year. These EP tracks couldn’t wait; these songs were impatient to be out in the world. They are songs of defiance and dismay, of lamentation. Songs of celebration will follow, we’re working on those now… because for all the awfulness we see normalized daily on our small screens, there’s nothing normal about these mad and maddening times and we need to stand up to them before we can go back to having faith in the future.”

 

[trevgreg]

Sound like there will be all-new tracks in addition to these 5-6 standing on their own, which is also a good thing, imo!

 

[DeVaul]

They actually did the thing. Digital EP release to clear some stuff off the shelves that doesn’t fit on the album proper. THANKS FOR LISTENING BOYS

 

[lazarus]

Hope these aren’t as bad as the previews suggest.

To start, it looks like Bono heard Springsteen’s clunky, on-the-nose Minneapolis song and was like “hold my Guinness”.

At least the official statement indicates that these aren’t indicative of the next album…supposedly.

 

[Registered Dude]

EP sounds like u2

 

[mikal]

I really appreciate the fresh sound. I’d go as far as saying that this is what I think most of us were hoping for. The Edge playing guitar again. Some really good atmospheric with a mix of rock. Bravo

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

welcome back, Laz. haven't had anyone around to shlt on everyone's cornflakes in a while

i kid, i kid

 

[mikal]

Also, I think American Obituary is the weakest song but the song most people will hear.

 

[trevgreg]

So this is sci-fi folk?

The intro and chorus to Song of the Future made me wonder if that was part of the origin there (acoustic guitar and an effect-heavy guitar riff over it).

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

anyone find any info on producers?

 

[dan_smee]

Also, I think American Obituary is the weakest song but the song most people will hear.

Yeah agree. I was listening to it thinking “hmm - it’s direct and simple and lyrics are not as cutting as I’d hoped for an American critique in 2026, but at least edge is there.” The rest I really enjoy.

 

[Registered Dude]

Bono lambasts ICE, Putin, Netanyahu and more as U2 release first collection of new songs since 2017

New EP Days of Ash features songs about Renee Good, Iranian protesters and other political topics, and precedes new ‘defiantly joyful’ album later in 2026

www.theguardian.com

nice write up on he subject matter of each song

also:
A short documentary accompanying Yours Eternally, directed by Ukrainian film-maker Ilya Mikhaylus ,who was embedded with frontline Ukrainian soldiers, will be released on 24 February to mark the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion.

 

[Registered Dude]

anyone find any info on producers?

it's all Jacknife Lee

 

[dan_smee]

I am hoping that they announce a vinyl version added to Record Store Day, or just a physical release soon

 

[super fly guy]

Well,didn't have this on my bingo card for today!

Will sit down later with proper headphones and give it a listen.