U2 To Cover Themes Of Light, Hope, And Connection With Upcoming Album ‘Carnaval De Luz’
The new album will be the first to feature new material since Songs of Experience in 2017
Photographed by Viviane Sassen
Photographed by Viviane Sassen
Irish rock legends U2 are making a major comeback with their upcoming sixteenth studio album, Carnaval De Luz, their first album in nine years to featureFeatureA collaboration in which one artist appears on another's track, usually credited with the abbreviation feat. Features quickly introduce performers to each other's audiences, and a well-chosen guest can liftGo to Feature Glossary new material, set for release on November 13, 2026.
Released in July as the forthcoming album’s lead singleLead SingleThe first song released from an upcoming album, chosen to introduce its sound and generate anticipation. A lead single sets the tone for a project, and its performance on chartsGo to Lead Single Glossary, “Street of Dreams” first hinted at the then-untitled project’s eventual release. With its atmospheric opening and lead singer Bono’s lyrics exploring faith, hope, and endurance, the track is especially resonant to the band’s Filipino listeners.
A follow-up single released on September 24, “Silencio” is a raw track with garage and punk rock influences. Amid its hard-hitting guitar riffs, its lyrics delve even deeper into themes of faith and spirituality, further hinting at the raw storytelling that the rock quartetQuartetA group of four musicians or vocalists, or a piece of music written for four performers. From string quartets to pop and rock bands, the format offers balance and flexibility,Go to Quartet Glossary would be confronting in their forthcoming release.
Check out the full track list below:
- “Go (Carnaval De Luz)”
- “La Reina”
- “Street Of Dreams”
- “The Mirror Maker (Rosalía)”
- “Superficiality”
- “If The World Is At War We Better Not Be”
- “Silencio”
- “The Greatest Show On Earth”
- “Glorify”
- “Midnight Sunshine”
- “Can’t Stop Us Now”
- “Torn” (feat. Dolly Parton)
Produced by longtime collaborator Jacknife Lee, the album will see the band explore new creative territory fifty years into their run, promising experimental moments and direct songwriting that longtime Filipino fans may be less accustomed to.
Nonetheless, listeners can expect to see familiar topics, such as in the album’s closing track “Torn,” a poignant duet between Bono and the late Dolly Parton tackling themes of family relationships (yet another theme Filipinos can relate to). Other than Parton, the album will also featureFeatureA collaboration in which one artist appears on another's track, usually credited with the abbreviation feat. Features quickly introduce performers to each other's audiences, and a well-chosen guest can liftGo to Feature Glossary collaborations with Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalía, English composer Brian Eno, Dutch producer Martin Garrix, and Canadian record producer Daniel Lanois. Incidentally, both Eno and Lanois have co-produced five of U2’s albums, including 1987’s The Joshua Tree, 1991’s Achtung Baby, and 2000’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind.
Along with its digital release, Carnaval De Luz will also be released on CD and vinyl, alongside limited-edition deluxe and colored vinyl releases.
In anticipation of U2’s highly-anticipated upcoming album, listen to their newest single, “Silencio,” below:
Frequently Asked Questions
U2’s Carnaval De Luz is set for release on November 13, 2026, through Interscope Records. It is the band’s 16th studio album and its first full-length new material since 2017.
Carnaval De Luz has 12 tracks, opening with “Go (Carnaval De Luz)” and closing with “Torn,” a duet with Dolly Parton. Singles “Street of Dreams” and “Silencio” are already out.
Dolly Parton duets with Bono on “Torn.” Brian Eno co-wrote three tracks, Martin Garrix co-wrote “Glorify,” Daniel Lanois plays pedal steel, and Rosalía is also credited on “The Mirror Maker.”
Carnaval De Luz, meaning “Carnival of Light,” explores spirituality, friendship, freedom and perseverance. It follows the 2026 EPs Days of Ash and Easter Lily, each tied to Lent and Easter.
Two singles have preceded the album: “Street of Dreams,” released in July, explores faith, hope and endurance, while “Silencio,” released on September 24, draws on garage and punk rock influences.