U2 has entered a prolific new chapter in 2026, signaling a rapid-fire return to the studio that blends raw personal grief with an enduring commitment to global activism. The band’s latest release, U2 Return with New EP Easter Lily, arrives as a six-track exploration of intimacy and faith, marking their second significant project of the year.
This new collection follows closely on the heels of Days of Ash, which debuted last month on Ash Wednesday. While that previous EP served as a somber tribute to fallen activists—including Renée Good and Awdah Hathaleen, a consultant for the documentary No Other Land—Easter Lily pivots inward. It trades the broad strokes of political lament for a more fragile, direct examination of the band’s own relationships and spiritual crises.
The project is anchored by a reunion with long-time collaborator Brian Eno, whose atmospheric production helps steer the EP’s closing moments. Together, these releases serve as a bridge toward a larger, still-untitled full-length album scheduled for release in late 2026.
From Political Lament to Personal Reflection
The emotional center of Easter Lily is established immediately with its opening track, “Song for Hal.” The song is a dedicated tribute to Hal Willner, the esteemed producer and close friend of the band who died in 2020 from complications related to COVID-19. By centering the EP on Willner, the band acknowledges a void left by one of the music industry’s most eclectic visionaries.
The title of the EP itself is an intentional homage to the 1978 album Easter by Patti Smith. In a press statement, Bono recalled the profound impact Smith’s work had on him as a teenager, noting that the album gave him “so much hope” when he first encountered it at age 18. This connection suggests a return to the foundational inspirations that fueled the band’s early energy.
Bono’s reflections on the writing process reveal a band grappling with the disorientation of the modern era. He noted that the songs emerged from a series of “extremely personal questions,” asking whether their own relationships are equipped for these challenging times and questioning how hard one must fight to maintain a friendship.
Faith, Algorithms, and the Search for Meaning
Beyond the personal tributes, Easter Lily tackles the intersection of spirituality and technology. The band expresses a palpable anxiety regarding the digital age, specifically how curated content affects human belief systems.
“Can our faith survive the mangling of meaning that those algorithms love to reward? Is all religion rubbish and still ripping us apart…? Or are there answers to find in its crevices? Are there ceremonies, rituals, dances that we might be missing in our lives?”
This thematic thread positions the EP not just as a musical release, but as a philosophical inquiry into whether traditional rituals can still provide solace in a world dominated by screens and algorithmic feedback loops.
Brian Eno and the Weight of Global Conflict
The EP concludes with “Coexist (I Will Bless the Lord at All Times?),” a track produced by Brian Eno. The song is written specifically for the parents of children growing up in war zones, blending Eno’s signature sonic textures with a plea for peace.
The track is a natural extension of the band’s recent political positioning. In 2025, Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen, Jr. Each released individual statements condemning the starvation of the Gaza strip. While the group admitted they are not experts in the region’s complex politics, they emphasized the necessity of letting their audience know exactly where they stand on human rights.
The Multimedia Legacy of the Propaganda Zine
Consistent with their approach to Days of Ash, U2 has paired Easter Lily with a new digital edition of their Propaganda zine. The zine, a staple of the band’s communication since 1986, provides a deep dive into the creative and intellectual architecture of the EP.
This latest issue functions as a companion piece, offering a curated look at the band’s current headspace through several distinct contributions:
- The Edge: Detailed sleeve notes providing context for the musical direction.
- Bono: A recorded conversation with Franciscan friar Richard Rohr, expanding on the EP’s spiritual queries.
- Adam Clayton: An introspective essay focusing on the relationship between art and the journey of recovery.
- Larry Mullen, Jr.: A collection of behind-the-scenes studio photographs documenting the recording process.
The zine as well includes full song lyrics and a memorial essay dedicated to Hal Willner, further cementing the project’s role as a vessel for memory and mourning.
Looking Toward a “Noisy, Messy” Future
While these EPs provide immediate snapshots of the band’s evolution, they are precursors to a larger ambition. The band is currently in the studio working on a full-length album, though it remains untitled. Following the 2023 release of Songs of Surrender, this upcoming record is expected to be a departure in tone.
Bono described the forthcoming album as “noisy, messy,” and “unreasonably colourful,” specifically designed for live performance. He framed this sonic direction as a form of “vivid rock n roll as an act of resistance” against the “awfulness on our small screens.”
| Release | Timing | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Days of Ash (EP) | Ash Wednesday 2026 | Tributes to deceased activists |
| Easter Lily (EP) | Current | Personal grief, faith, and intimacy |
| Untitled Album | Late 2026 | Live-oriented, “unreasonably colourful” rock |
The band continues to view this period as “wilderness years,” echoing a sentiment of navigating through global mayhem to find a creative path forward. The next major milestone for the group will be the unveiling of the untitled album’s title and tracklist, expected later this year.
We want to hear your thoughts on U2’s new direction. Does the shift toward more personal, EP-style releases resonate with you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
