U2 has released a new single, “Silencio,” the first track from their upcoming 15th studio album, “Carnaval De Luz,” set for release Nov. 13.
The song features an energetic backbeat from drummer Larry Mullen Jr., while frontman Bono draws on religious imagery and questions of spirituality. “Uneasy feeling, I just heard a gunshot / There are things you can get used to or not,” Bono sings. The Edge’s signature guitar sound gives the track a soaring quality.
In a press statement, Bono invited fans to embrace the new album. “Bring your purple socks, your broken hearts, your rose-tinted naivety… oh be amazed in the hall of mirrors,” he said. “There will be loud guitars, deep bass, some ecstatic rhythms and, yes, some silver tears will make an appearance… We make the drums louder. We build a bigger fire. We make our stories wilder and funnier. We make the melodies sweeter and the songs, they better shine, because if the world is in darkness we better not be.”
The Edge described the album as “messy, provocative, sacred,” and noted it includes the first use of flat-wound strings on a U2 recording.
“Carnaval De Luz” is U2’s first album of original music since 2017’s “Songs of Experience.” In 2023, the band released “Songs of Surrender,” which reimagined many of their classic tracks. That year, U2 also launched a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas, which continued into 2024. Earlier this year, they released two surprise EPs: “Days of Ash,” timed with Ash Wednesday, and “Easter Lily,” released on Easter.
The new album features collaborations with Brian Eno, Martin Garrix, Daniel Lanois and Ryan Tedder. The closing track, “Torn,” features a duet with Dolly Parton, which is described as her last recorded vocal performance.
U2, ‘Carnaval De Luz’ Track Listing:
1. Go (Carnaval De Luz)
2. La Reina
3. Street of Dreams
4. The Mirror Maker (Rosalía)
5. Superficiality
6. If the World Is at War We Better Not Be
7. Silencio
8. The Greatest Show On Earth
9. Glorify
10. Midnight Sunshine
11. Can’t Stop Us Now
12. Torn (feat. Dolly Parton)
“Carnaval De Luz” arrives Nov. 13.