![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/brian-eno-features-on-reflective-and-hopeful-new-u2-record.jpg\")
The new EP was released on Friday. Photo: U2.<\/p>\nIrish rock band U2 have released a reflective and hopeful new EP, which includes a collaboration with musician Brian Eno.<\/p>\n
Easter Lily was released on Friday ahead of the band\u2019s album later this year, and is comprised of six tracks which reflect on themes of friendship, loss, hope and renewal.<\/p>\n
The record, which also includes a tribute to the late American music producer Hal Willner, comes hot on the heels of the group\u2019s latest EP, titled Days Of Ash, which was released in February.<\/p>\n
The new EP was released on Friday. Photo: U2.<\/p>\n
The band \u2013 Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jnr \u2013 have been active since the 1970s and are known for their political activism and social commentary.<\/p>\n
One of the tracks on the EP, titled Coexist (I Will Bless The Lord At All Times?) has been described as a lullaby for parents of children caught up in war.<\/p>\n
It features a soundscape from 77-year-old musician and activist Eno, who has had a decades-long collaborative relationship with the group.<\/p>\n
Song For Hal sees the Edge, whose real name is David Evans, take the lead on the vocals in a touching tribute to the band\u2019s friend Willner, who died on April 7th in 2020, aged 64.<\/p>\n
The song explores the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns as it reflects on the death of Willner, who died from complications caused by the virus.<\/p>\n
Other tracks on the record include a celebration of friendship and a song of encouragement, while Resurrection Song follows themes of pilgrimage and the idea of a trip into the unknown and Easter Parade celebrates new life, rebirth and resurrection.<\/p>\n
![\"U2](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775221994_326_brian-eno-features-on-reflective-and-hopeful-new-u2-record.jpg\")
U2\u2019s Bono said the band have been \u2018digging deeper into our lives\u2019 for their latest songs. Photo: Andrew Matthews\/PA.<\/p>\n
Bono, real name Paul Hewson, said: \u201cWe are in the studio, still working towards a noisy, messy, \u2018unreasonably colourful\u2019 album to play live\u2026 which is where U2 lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe still look to vivid rock \u2018n\u2019 roll as an act of resistance against all this awfulness on our small screens.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are for sure \u2018wilderness years\u2019 for so many of us looking at the mayhem out there in the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a time that has our band digging deeper into our lives to find a wellspring of songs to try meet the moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Easter Lily we ended up asking very personal questions like: Are our own relationships up to these challenging times? How hard do you fight for friendship?<\/p>\n
\u201cCan our faith survive the mangling of meaning that those algorithms love to reward?<\/p>\n
![\"U2](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775221994_46_brian-eno-features-on-reflective-and-hopeful-new-u2-record.jpg\")
U2 have also released a special digital edition of their Propaganda magazine to accompany the EP. Photo: PA.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs all religion rubbish and still ripping us apart? Or are there answers to find in its crevices?<\/p>\n
\u201cAre there ceremonies, rituals, dances that we might be missing in our lives?\u201d<\/p>\n
The frontman added that the title of the EP is a nod to American singer-songwriter Patti Smith\u2019s album Easter, saying her record \u201cgave me so much hope when it was released\u201d.<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cWe will attempt hoopla and fanfare at a later date to remind the rest of the world we exist but in the meantime\u2026 This is between you and us.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Olivia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2-83896704.jpg\")
<\/p>\n