U2 released a new song Wednesday night, their first original music since 2017.

In a surprise move that delighted fans around the world, the chart-topping band announced a standalone six-track EP titled; U2 – Days of Ashes.

The song includes collaborations with British singer Ed Sheeran and a Ukrainian musician-turned-soldier.

Drummer Larry Mullen returns from the band after a long break. Expectations are high for a new world tour accompanying this work.

Reminiscent of their campaign days, the new songs chronicle recent injustices, from recent global conflicts to the recent mass shootings in America.

The EP is described as an “immediate response to current events and inspired by the many extraordinary and courageous people fighting on the front lines of freedom.”

One song, “American Obituary,” is about the shooting death of Ms. Goode, an activist and award-winning poet. Goode was killed on January 7th by ICE agents who were monitoring their activities from a car.

The Trump administration has claimed that she endangered the lives of police officers with her car, but anti-ICE activists and her family say that is a blatant lie.

The song states that she was “shot at near black range while exercising her right to peacefully protest, protected by the First Amendment.”

Following her release, Renee’s partner Becca Good said, “Renee didn’t just believe in kindness, she lived it fully and fiercely. Renee always did things for others. She believed that all people, no matter who they were, where they came from, or what they looked like, deserved the same care, compassion, and dignity. That was at her core. She valued people, community, and connection.”

“She will be deeply touched by this tribute from U2 and hope it will make a difference in the world.”

another song forever yours The film, which features Ed Sheeran and Taras Topolia, will be released ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24th.

90 Second News, Thursday, February 19th

I also pay tribute to Palestinian activist and English teacher Aouda Hasaleen. Oscar winning film consultant There is no other landHe was killed by Israeli settlers in a West Bank village in July 2025.

Frontman Bono said his full studio album is due for release later this year, but these EP tracks, which consist of five songs and a verse, “couldn’t wait”.

“These songs have been long overdue. They’re songs of defiance, disappointment and lament. They’ll be followed by songs of celebration,” he said.

Despite all the “terrible things” we see on a daily basis being normalized, there is nothing normal in these “crazy times,” Bono said.

“We need to confront them and rebuild our faith in each other before we can regain faith in our future.”

Maren said he believes “these new songs stand up to our best work.”

“We talk a lot about when to release new music. You don’t always know, but given the current state of the world, we feel it’s the right time,” he said.

“If you look back at our early days working with Amnesty and Greenpeace, we’ve never been afraid to take a stand. Sometimes it can be a bit awkward. There’s always some sort of backlash. But it’s a big aspect of who we are and why we still exist.”

another track song of the future ” is a tribute to Sarina Esmailzadeh (16). An Iranian schoolgirl was killed by security forces while participating in the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests.

The online magazine is also released today. Advertisementqualified U2 – Days of Ashes: 6 postcards from the present… I wish I wasn’t here.

The book is published 40 years after the first edition of the U2 fan magazine and features exclusive interviews with the band.

The Dublin four-piece have won 22 Grammy Awards and sold more than 170 million albums worldwide.

The EP’s digital release will take place today, with a short documentary accompanying the song “Yours Eternally” scheduled for February 24th, the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.