David Evans, better known as The Edge, has teased new music from U2 during a recent interview on the Sodajerker on Songwriting podcast. Speaking with hosts Simon Barber and Brian O’Connor, the guitarist revealed, “We’re working on a lot of new songs. There might be a new U2 song happening very soon, but you’ll hear more about that.”
The interview comes just after the 20th anniversary and 2024 reissue of U2’s ‘How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb’, now titled ‘How to Reassemble an Atomic Bomb’. This reissue includes a second “shadow album” of previously unreleased tracks which had been left on the cutting room floor. Fans reacted enthusiastically, especially to the song ‘Evidence of Life’ which harked back to the post-punk sound of their first three albums.
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The award winning podcast explores how some of the most famous musicians go about recording, and their creative processes. On themes and concepts, The Edge said “sometimes it’s sonic, sometimes it’s lyrical. But we’re always looking for that thing we can use as our North Star.”
The episode also touched on the band’s six-month residency at the Las Vegas Sphere, which comprised 40 shows and grossed over $100 million, breaking various records in the process. Evans described the experience as “fantastic,” though he regretted not having the opportunity to take the show on the road and see the world. The show was a critical success as well as a commercial one, with USA Today’s Melissa Ruggieri saying “It’s fair to wonder if such a gargantuan production eclipses a band. Not this [band]”.
The residency marked U2’s first major live performances without drummer Larry Mullen Jr., who was recovering from surgery. Bram van den Berg, drummer of Krezip, stood in for Mullen. In a November interview with The Toronto Star, The Edge confirmed that Mullen is recovering and has already participated in recent recording sessions. “Larry’s feeling good, and he’s playing well.”
Exploring U2’s storied career, The Edge acknowledged their evolution from politically charged punk roots to the experimental sounds of albums in the 90s, but failed to mention ‘The Joshua Tree’. The 1987 release, often hailed as their greatest work, was heavily influenced by producer Brian Eno’s soundscape work and explored themes of mythical America, and along with ‘The Unforgettable Fire’, moved them away from the sound of their early albums.
Their last album of original material, ‘Songs of Experience’, was released in 2017, and their last live show in the UK was in 2018. While The Edge’s comments aren’t exactly an official announcement, they have sparked excitement among fans. Discussions on the U2 subreddit suggest high hopes for a potential release, though some caution against momentum being lost if a single isn’t followed by an album or tour.
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This news comes just days after Bono was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Biden. Bono, whose real name is Paul Hewson, was recognised for his contributions to charitable causes, with his efforts focused on poverty in Africa, and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
With The Edge hinting at new U2 music, fans are left speculating about what the next chapter holds for a band that has been recording together for nearly half a century, and will be excited to hear more about this upcoming release.
