Bono Talks U2’s ‘Days Of Ash’ EP: Songs React to Present Day Anxieties

U2's new 'Days Of Ash' EP channels today’s anxieties into powerful, politically charged songs that confront modern challenges head-on.

U2 in a dynamic group shot, capturing their enduring presence in music.

The Urgency Behind ‘Days Of Ash’

When U2 dropped their surprise ‘Days Of Ash’ EP on Ash Wednesday, February 18, it felt like a sonic snapshot of the world’s uneasy pulse. Bono, the band’s legendary frontman, described the collection as “songs all being presented here [that] are all reactions to present day anxieties.” And honestly, who isn’t feeling those these days?

This EP isn’t just a musical release—it’s a call to attention. It arrives with lyric videos for all five songs plus a poem, available on U2’s official YouTube channel. Alongside the music, a special issue of their magazine Propaganda was released, featuring interviews with the band and the lyrics, enriching the EP’s context for fans and newcomers alike.

Five Tracks, Five Stories of Defiance and Dismay

U2’s ‘Days Of Ash’ EP contains a powerful suite of songs: ‘American Obituary’, ‘The Tears Of Things’, ‘Song Of The Future’, ‘Wildpeace’, ‘One Life At A Time’, and ‘Yours Eternally’ (the latter featuring Ed Sheeran and Ukrainian musician Taras Topolia). Each track is an immediate response to the extraordinary events and courageous people shaping the fight for freedom across the globe.

According to the band’s press release, four of these songs focus intimately on individuals—a mother, a father, a teenage girl—all whose lives were cut tragically short. The narrative also includes a soldier who’d rather be singing but stands ready to die defending his country’s freedom. These stories give a human face to headlines, pulling listeners closer to the emotional core of global crises.

Bono’s Take: A Different Mood from the Upcoming Album

Bono shared his excitement about reuniting in the studio with the band, explaining that these EP tracks differ in mood and theme from the full album anticipated in 2026. He said:

“These EP tracks couldn’t wait; these songs were impatient to be out in the world. They are songs of defiance and dismay, of lamentation. Songs of celebration will follow, we’re working on those now… because for all the awfulness we see normalised daily on our small screens, there’s nothing normal about these mad and maddening times and we need to stand up to them before we can go back to having faith in the future. And each other. ‘If you have a chance to hope it’s a duty…’ is a line we borrowed from Lea Ypi. A laugh would be nice too. Thank you.”

The emotional honesty Bono offers here is the kind of candidness you only get from a band that has weathered decades of social and political upheaval—and still refuses to look away.

U2 – Song Of The Future (Lyric Video)

Propaganda Magazine Revived: A Punk-Era Spirit for Today’s Crisis

The new issue of Propaganda magazine, available both in print and digital formats, links back to U2’s roots in the DIY punk zine culture of the 1980s. The original Propaganda debuted in February 1986, and the revived edition embracing ‘Days Of Ash’ stretches 52 pages—packed with exclusive interviews, song lyrics, and insights from the band.

Here, Bono digs deeper, contrasting the EP’s anxious and somber tone with the more joyous, celebratory mood planned for the upcoming album. He candidly admits the risk of offending or annoying some listeners — “but that’s kind of our job!” he says. The band sees their role as one of chronicling the world’s exterior and interior struggles, and this EP is their outlet for the urgent, raw reactions.

Stories Behind the Songs: Personal Portraits of Struggle

Each track on the EP draws on real stories to spotlight broader human struggles:

• ‘American Obituary’: Reflects on the tragic death of Renee Good, a civilian fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minnesota on January 7. It’s a gripping, sorrowful critique of justice and loss.
• ‘The Tears Of Things’: Explores how one might live with compassion amid violence, inspired by Jewish prophetic writings. Its poetic lyrics imagine a conversation between Michelangelo’s David and his creator, rejecting the notion that David must become a Goliath to triumph.
• ‘Song Of The Future’: An emotional tribute to Sarina Esmailzadeh, a 16-year-old Iranian schoolgirl who joined the Women, Life, Freedom protests in 2022. Sarina’s courage, cut short by detention and death at the hands of Iranian security forces, is honored through this moving piece.
• ‘One Life At A Time’: Dedicated to Awdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian father and teacher killed in the West Bank by an Israeli settler. This song is a poignant reflection on the human cost of ongoing conflict.
• ‘Wildpeace’: Features a reading of a poem by Israeli writer Yehuda Amichai, adding a literary and contemplative texture to the EP.
• ‘Yours Eternally’: Collaborates with Ed Sheeran and Ukrainian musician-soldier Taras Topolia. Written as a letter from a soldier on active duty, this track is accompanied by a documentary film directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Ilya Mikhaylus, portraying frontline life amid conflict.

U2 – The Tears Of Things (Lyric Video)

Behind the Scenes: Bono and Ed Sheeran’s Studio Chemistry

Bono revealed how their collaboration with Ed Sheeran came about, praising not only Ed’s vibrant talent but also his wife Cherry’s serious climate activism. Bono said Ed reminds him of his younger self—full of restless energy, though a bit less serious:

“He’s even more impatient in the studio than me… we wrote songs into the small hours… there might have been a certain amount of Guinness involved.”

It’s refreshing to hear that even rock legends and pop icons share moments of playful camaraderie in the studio, fueling creativity amid serious themes.

U2 – American Obituary (Lyric Video)

Reflecting on America: Fury and Grief in Song

Bono also spoke candidly about “singing about America again,” a recurring theme for U2 over the years. He acknowledged the deep connection between the band and America, calling it a country that “loved us back.” With ‘American Obituary’, Bono channels a raw mix of fury and grief—not just for Renee Good but for what he sees as the death of an America that should have sought justice.

A Continuing Voice on Global Freedom and Conflict

This EP release follows Bono’s impassioned op-ed last year, where he explored pathways to freedom worldwide, especially in regions facing severe health and humanitarian crises. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom soon after and has not shied away from voicing opinions on complex issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict and calls for prisoner releases.

What does Bono’s message mean for us today?

With ‘Days Of Ash’, U2 doesn’t just give us music; they offer stories that demand reflection. These aren’t background tracks for a casual listen—they’re urgent dispatches from the frontlines of humanity’s ongoing battles.

FAQ

• What inspired U2’s ‘Days Of Ash’ EP?
  The EP is inspired by present-day anxieties and global events, telling personal stories reflecting courage and loss amid conflict.
• How many songs are on the EP and who features on it?
  There are five songs plus a poem, with Ed Sheeran and Ukrainian musician Taras Topolia featuring on the final track, ‘Yours Eternally’.
• What themes does Bono highlight about the EP versus the upcoming album?
  The EP deals with defiance, lament, and anxiety, while the upcoming album will have a more joyful and celebratory tone.
• What is the significance of the song ‘American Obituary’?
  It references the tragic death of Renee Good and critiques America’s justice system, blending grief with anger.
• What additional content accompanies the EP?
  A special issue of Propaganda magazine includes interviews, lyrics, and behind-the-scenes stories tied to the EP’s themes.

If you’re moved by U2’s powerful storytelling and want to bring that spirit into your space, check out our curated collection of favorite album cover posters at Architeg Prints. There’s something special about seeing music’s iconic art up close—let it inspire your own story.