Songs Of Experience" was actually supposed to be released last year. But after Donald Trump was elected US president, the Irish band decided to go through the album again and adapt it to the current world situation. You can hear that.
The band
The album cover of "Songs Of Experience" shows Bono's son, Eli, and guitarist The Edge's daughter, Sian.
The Irish band U2 has been around since the seventies. Today, they are one of the most successful music groups of all time. 22 Grammys - no music group has received more of the golden gramophones. The quartet around Bono has also made a name for itself with its live shows. The "U2 360° Tour", for example, had the largest music stage ever constructed (and stood in the middle of the stadium) and is still the most successful tour by a music artist to date with over 730 million dollars in revenue. The alternative rock band is also passionate about humanitarian issues: singer Bono founded the global campaign organization ONE, which is committed to fighting poverty. He also launched the (RED) campaign, which is committed to fighting AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
The album
"Songs Of Experience" should have been released a long time ago and is the follow-up to "Songs Of Innocence". The concept is quickly explained: the songs are "personal letters addressed to places and people that are very close to Bono's heart: Family, friends, fans and also to himself", according to the press release. The album was actually already finished in the fall of 2016, but U2 postponed the album release to this year in order to incorporate the current political situation, namely the election of Donald Trump as US president and the Brexit Yes vote, into the album. The band took their time to write new songs and also to rewrite existing songs from the 14th album.
The verdict
The 13 songs on the new U2 album offer no surprises: They all fit in well with the band's discography. Familiar elements and Bono's voice provide the typical U2 sound. In this album, the band also leans on the early sound of U2, on rock'n'roll. This can be heard above all in the song "American Soul". All in all, it's a nice album, but not a masterpiece due to a lack of surprises. U2 are now a live band that makes music on the side. A band with worldwide fame and a career spanning over 40 years doesn't really need any new music.
Recommended tracks
"Love Is All We Have Left" - Spherical introduction to the album, excitingly arranged.
"The Little Things That Give You Away" - Quiet rock ballad, reminiscent of "With or Without You.
U2 Live
The Irish band have already announced that they will be touring Europe in 2018. Where and when this will take place is not known.
