U2 released its 16th studio album, Carnaval De Luz, marking the band’s first collection of original material in nearly a decade.
The four-person lineup formed in Dublin back in 1976, according to bbc.com. The band has accumulated estimated record sales north of 170 million across five decades.
The project follows a challenging period that included a neck injury sustained by drummer Larry Mullen Jr. Pitchfork reported that this obstacle put a question mark on the future of the group’s democracy.
“I think if we really understood how it worked, we’d have moved out of the rock’n’roll business and into political advice,” Mullen told The Guardian.
Jacknife Lee and Brian Eno produce new material
To record the new album, the band worked with producer Jacknife Lee and brought back Brian Eno. The sessions produced a bountiful amount of material, which the group began teasing out with two surprise EPs earlier this year.
February brought Days of Ash, followed by Easter Lily in April. Pitchfork reported that these releases served as a way for the band to find its groove, trade ideas, and reconnect with its core audience.
Paste Magazine described the full-length release as a prequel meant to serve as a celebration of the flesh before Lent and Easter.
Critics offer varied perspectives on the new record
Critics offered varied perspectives on the new record. RIFF Magazine said that the album’s opening track, “Go (Carnaval De Luz),” features a pulsating synth riff courtesy of Brian Eno that channels the spirit of Achtung Baby.
Paste Magazine offered a different take, describing parts of the album as centering on Woke 1.0 centrist pandering. The review pointed to co-writes like “Glorify” with Martin Garrix and tracks like “Midnight Sunshine” as attempts at commercial appeal.
The album also features Spanish-language nods. “The Mirror Maker (Rosalía)” opens with a quote from poet Federico García Lorca.
Political Shifts and Global Tours
Vocalist Bono addressed changing politics in recent interviews. He noted his absence from the White House during the second Trump presidency, pointing to an administration that disrupted an AIDS program he previously helped initiate.
“It’s a new world. This is different. There’s a whiff, there’s a honk, and we’re all just trying to discern it,” Bono told The Guardian.
U2’s world tour begins on 23 February at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City. The schedule includes three dates at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London from 18 to 22 June, The Guardian reported.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was U2 formed?
The group formed at Mount Temple Comprehensive in Dublin in 1976, with the current lineup coming together two years later.
What was the band’s previous album of original material?
Their last studio album of new material was 2017’s Songs of Experience.
Where does the world tour start?
The tour begins on 23 February at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City.
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