Irish rock icons U2 have unveiled their first collection of new songs in nearly a decade, releasing a politically charged EP titled “Days of Ash.” The project takes aim at global human rights abuses, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and U.S. immigration enforcement.
A Response to Current Events
Described by the band as “an immediate response to current events,” the EP features collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Ukrainian musician-turned-soldier Taras Topolia.
Frontman Bono warned of Putin’s ambitions in an interview with the band’s fan magazine:
“Ask anyone in East Germany or Poland or Latvia if they think Putin will stop at Ukraine.”
Songs of Defiance
The opening track, “American Obituary,” honors Renee Good, an American protester shot dead by a federal agent during an ICE operation in January. Bono sings: “Renee Good born to die free.”
Other tracks pay tribute to an Iranian teenage protester killed in 2022 and criticize Israeli settler activity in the West Bank.
“These songs were impatient to be out in the world,” Bono explained. “They are songs of defiance and dismay.”
Continuing Activism Through Music
The EP marks U2’s return to original music after nearly ten years, continuing the band’s five-decade tradition of activism through art. A full album is expected later this year, reinforcing U2’s reputation for blending rock with political and social commentary.
