February 24, 2026

by Robin Hilton

The host of All Songs Considered take over the newsletter this week to tell us about the Irish icons' most exciting new song in more than a decade.

Anton Corbijn

U2 has surprise-dropped a new EP, Days of Ash, that opens with a protest song aimed squarely at the U.S. government's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. It's the most alive the band has sounded in what feels like forever. The song, which is in part a tribute to slain mother of three Renee Good, is called "American Obituary." We played the song to kick off the latest episode of All Songs Considered.

I just can not tell you how re-energized and vital this band sounds so deep into their career. If ever there is a band that literally has nothing left to prove, it's U2. They've come back with a blistering critique on everything that's been happening around immigration. And it works so well — this is a fist-in-the-air rallying cry and a celebration of love. Like fighting with love. It's incredible. Welcome back, U2. We've missed you.

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More Song Recommendations

Courtesy of Interscope

🎶 Lana Del Rey, "White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter": The latest tease from Lana Del Rey's delayed and highly anticipated 10th album sounds right out of True Detective Season 1 or a David Lynch film.

Courtesy of Virgin

🎶 James Blake, "I Had a Dream She Took My Hand": The British producer turned falsetto fan is releasing his seventh album on March 13, and his latest single is a gorgeous, almost eerie lilt that draws inspiration from classic doo-wop.

Joshua Gordon

🎶 Arlo Parks, "Heaven": Another exciting British album on the horizon comes from singer-songwriter Arlo Parks, who is releasing her new record on April 3. "Heaven" is a turn toward the dancefloor for someone normally associated with introspection.

Devlin Claro

🎶 Baby Rose & Leon Thomas, "Friends Again": Baby Rose has a voice that, dare we say, might appeal to fans of Billie Holiday. We know that's high praise, but she legitimately sounds like no other R&B singer working today.

Courtesy of Atlantic

🎶 Bella Kay, "Steady": It's early still, but this emerging Florida alt-pop singer displays massive potential on this song and the rest of her three-track EP, a couple minutes out. We're keeping our eyes on Bella Kay's every move.

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One More Thing

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