U2’s guitarist The Edge has sparked excitement among fans with hints of new music on the horizon. In a recent episode of the Sodajerker on Songwriting podcast, The Edge revealed that the band has been hard at work on fresh material. “We’re working on a lot of new songs and having a great time,” he shared. “There might be a new song happening very soon, which you’ll hear about. Can’t say any more than that. We’re in a great place creatively.”
A New Direction
While details about the upcoming album remain scarce, The Edge has provided some insight into its direction. Speaking to Rolling Stone in November, he mentioned the band’s current experimentation and the evolving role of the guitar in their music.
“I think the guitar will be a big part of the next record, but I don’t think it’s going to be a heavy-rock album,” he explained. “We’ve always tried to avoid using the instrument in a way that’s too mainstream… We’ve always tried to find ways to use the guitar that has never been heard before.”
Interestingly, this contrasts with previous comments from frontman Bono, who described the new album as an “unreasonable guitar record” with “big choruses.” In a Mojo interview, Bono expressed a desire to return to U2’s roots while reigniting their music with energy: “Let’s go back there, but do it with some petrol and some matches.”
The Anticipation
U2’s last album of original material, Songs of Experience, was released over six years ago on December 1, 2017. While fans eagerly await the next chapter, the contrasting visions shared by The Edge and Bono suggest an intriguing blend of innovation and nostalgia in their upcoming work.
With the promise of new songs and a reinvigorated creative spirit, U2 looks poised to make a compelling return to the spotlight. Fans may not have to wait much longer to hear what the band has been crafting in the studio.
