Irish rock legends U2 have surprised fans with a brand-new EP titled Days of Ash. The six-song release arrived alongside a special 54-page edition of their long-running fan magazine, Propaganda. In it, the band opens up about the inspiration behind the new music, what they’ve been listening to lately, and what fans can expect next.
Music Inspired by Today’s World
According to the band, Days of Ash was shaped by the many humanitarian crises and global anxieties happening around the world right now. Frontman Bono explained that the songs are reactions to the times we are living in. Some tracks are emotional and immediate, while others are more thoughtful and reflective.
He described the EP as dealing with present-day worries, saying the songs range from “knee-jerk” reactions to more “considered” responses. Overall, the mood of Days of Ash leans more toward reflection and concern rather than celebration.
But this EP is not the end of the story.
A New Album Is on the Way
One of the biggest revelations from the Propaganda fanzine is that U2 are actively working on a new full-length album. It will be their first major studio album in years, following Songs of Innocence.
Bono revealed that the band currently has more than 25 songs in progress. He said that around 25 of them are strong enough to be considered for future U2 projects. However, he made it clear that the songs being saved for the next album are very different in mood compared to the ones on Days of Ash.
While the EP focuses on anxiety and global concerns, Bono promised that the upcoming album will feature “more songs of celebration than lamentation.” That suggests a brighter and more uplifting direction for the band’s next chapter.
He also hinted that fans may not have to wait too long, suggesting the new album could arrive later in 2026.
Adam Clayton’s Recent Favorites
In the fanzine, bassist Adam Clayton also shared some of the artists and albums he has been listening to recently.
One of his picks was Geese and their acclaimed 2025 album Getting Killed. Clayton said he respects the band’s “radical free form attitude” and their refusal to play the commercial game. He praised their raw approach, saying it feels like a reaction against overly programmed and overproduced music. For him, Geese bring music back to the special chemistry of a band simply playing together.
Clayton also mentioned a classic album that remains in heavy rotation: Shakara by Fela Kuti. He described himself as a longtime fan of Fela’s powerful fusion of African musical styles and his strong political voice. Clayton said he finds himself playing Fela’s music more often these days.
Finally, he gave praise to Mike Scott of The Waterboys and his compilation Extras 1991 – 1996. The collection features unfinished and unreleased material that didn’t make it onto the band’s well-known albums. Clayton shared that he has followed Mike Scott’s music for decades and still regularly listens to records from the 1980s and 1990s.
A Band Still Moving Forward
What stands out most from this new edition of Propaganda is that U2 are far from slowing down. With Days of Ash, they are responding directly to the world around them. At the same time, they are preparing a new album that promises a different mood—one filled with more light and celebration.
For longtime fans, it’s an exciting moment. U2 are reflecting on the present, drawing inspiration from both new and classic artists, and looking ahead to what could be one of their most hopeful releases in years.