U2 has announced its first album of new material in nine years, with Carnaval De Luz set for release Nov. 13. The 12-track album will be the band’s 16th studio LP and arrives as U2 marks its 50th anniversary.
Island Records revealed the project alongside “Silencio,” a new song accompanied by a music video directed by Mexican-American duo Cliqua and filmed in Mexico City. The band also just released their latest single, “The Greatest Show On Earth,” co-written with longtime collaborator Brian Eno, which is accompanied by a music video directed by Anton Corbijn and filmed in the California desert.
Produced by Jacknife Lee, Carnaval De Luz follows two six-song EPs that U2 released earlier this year – Days of Ash and Easter Lily – which were created during the same period as the new album. The Edge described the collection as “It’s a messy, provocative, sacred collection of songs — and features the first-ever use of flat-wound strings on a U2 recording. Just saying.”
Meanwhile, the upcoming Carnaval De Luz draws on themes including spirituality, friendship, freedom and perseverance. The record also features contributions from longtime U2 collaborators Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, as well as Martin Garrix, Rosalía and Ryan Tedder. Eno co-wrote and played synthesizers on three tracks, Garrix co-wrote “Glorify,” Lanois plays pedal steel on “Torn,” and Tedder provided additional production on “Silencio.”
The album’s complete track list includes: “Go (Carnaval De Luz),” “La Reina,” “Street Of Dreams,” “The Mirror Maker (Rosalía),” “Superficiality,” “If The World Is At War We Better Not Be,” “Silencio,” “The Greatest Show On Earth,” “Glorify,” “Midnight Sunshine,” “Can’t Stop Us Now” and “Torn” – a duet between Bono and Dolly Parton that features what the band describes as Parton’s final recorded vocal performance. Parton, who died Aug. 25 at age 80, co-wrote the song with U2 and Johnny McDaid. The track is described as a country-leaning song centered on fractured family relationships.
Carnaval De Luz will be available digitally and in multiple physical formats, including standard and limited-edition vinyl and CD releases. Presave the album – HERE.
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