Originally posted by EridescoFly:[..]
I wonder if management or the labels are intervening. I'd like a sudden drop surprise however out of nowhere, the real test will be whatever they release will now be relevant.
Originally posted by u2wanderer1:[..]
Edge, Adam and Bono have all given updates in the last six months in various media interviews. They've all said the same. Album isn't done yet, we'll look at touring when it is done. Adam suggested they want to get it done for 2026. They want to start in Europe when they do tour.
Larry said little, but did talk after the Ivors, "It was difficult being away because of injury, so I’m thrilled to be back in a creative environment, even if I’m not 100% there and I’ve got some bits falling off. It’s just the most extraordinary thing, when I was away from the band, I missed it, but I didn’t realise how much I missed it." Hes reportedly in good health, making good progress on the album, and Bono has shared a half dozen times 'at his most innovative'.
I don't know what more they could say specific to subscribers at this point. They've been talking heavily about where they are in the progress on the new album since November. Through the press outings for the Atomic Bomb album, and then through Bono's recent Stories of Surrender press tour. They've spoken about timelines, and their progress on things, and where it all sits. I think we'll get more when they have some sort of plan. Adam even suggested we'd hear that towards the end of this year.
We've collected a bunch of the quotes together here:
https://www.u2songs.com/news/update_on_next_u2_album
Originally posted by Sydney_MIke:I suspect this is going to be one of the most pivotal albums of their career. One that sees them acknowledged as still having something to offer, or one that leads to the band calling it a day. After a near 10 year gap, they need to come back with the equivalent of Achtung Baby - something that surprises or wows people, otherwise it will be a case of "we waited so long for that" It's hard to see a middle ground where they can get away with anything else. Maybe it's the realisation of that and the pressure it creates that's making it so hard to settle on the tracks.
Originally posted by ap5:Totally get the view, but disagree. There is nothing pivotal remaining for them. Their legacy is secure for better or worse. They will never capture the zeitgeist again like they did with JT or AB and that’s ok.
To me it’s really about how do they want to finish? Right now I’d argue they are headed out on a creatively weak nostalgia run (JT and Sphere were simply nostalgia ‘tours’ with new technology as the backdrop in LV). The band have clearly been struggling from a creative perspective for some time - look at the borrowed guitar riffs and multiple versions of the same songs used across albums.
I hope they can surprise to the upside and find a way to create one last “great” album, but the simple fact imo is age is catching up with them. My one hope is they walk away clean and don’t continue down the path of the Stones or Who and simply tour for the cash while beating their hits to death.
Originally posted by ap5:To me it’s really about how do they want to finish?
Originally posted by Welsh_Edge:Brian Eno's hosting/putting together a benefit concert for Palestine in September. I'm sure he might have asked the band about whether they'd perform since there's talk of this sci-fi album with him but I couldn't see the band doing it. There is no lineup currently.
Originally posted by Sydney_MIke:[..]
Pretty much nailed it with that comment.
