U2 released a surprise six-song EP, “Days of Ash,” on February 18, 2026, addressing political conflicts in the United States, Iran, Ukraine, Israel, and the West Bank. The EP arrived on Ash Wednesday, accompanied by lyric videos for each track and a special issue of the band’s magazine, Propaganda.
Bono described the EP as a reaction to “present day anxieties,” distinct in tone from the material slated for the band’s upcoming album later in 2026. “It’s been a thrill having the four of us back together in the studio over the last year… the songs on ‘Days of Ash’ are very different in mood and theme to the ones we’re going to put on our album later in the year,” Bono said in a statement. He added that the songs felt “impatient to be out in the world,” representing “defiance and dismay, of lamentation.”
The EP’s opening track, “American Obituary,” is dedicated to Renée Nicole Good, who was fatally shot by ICE officers in Minneapolis on January 7th. The lyrics directly reference Good’s death, singing, “Renee Good born to die free / American mother of three / Seventh day January / A bullet for each child, you see.” Bono noted the song’s rhythm was influenced by Bob Dylan’s “It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding).”
“Song of the Future” focuses on the death of Sarina Esmailzadeh, a 16-year-old who died during protests in Iran in 2022. “One Life At A Time” commemorates Awdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian man killed by an Israeli settler in the West Bank in 2023. The Edge stated the band believes in “a world in which borders are not erased by force, in which culture, language and memory are not silenced by fear and in which the dignity of a nation is beyond question.”
The track “Yours Eternally” features collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Taras Topolia, a Ukrainian musician currently serving in the military. Bono and The Edge traveled to Kyiv in the spring of 2022, performing in a metro station at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Sheeran connected Bono with Topolia, leading to a personal meeting and ongoing friendship. Topolia’s experiences as a soldier inspired the lyrics for “Yours Eternally,” described as a letter from a Ukrainian soldier.
A short documentary accompanying the release of “Yours Eternally,” directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Illya Mykhailus, is scheduled to premiere on February 24th. The song “The Tears Of Things” explores themes of compassion amidst violence, presenting a dialogue between Michelangelo’s David and its creator. The EP likewise includes a reading of the poem “Wildpeace” by Israeli author Yehuda Amichai.
Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. Expressed confidence in the new material, stating, “I believe our new songs will stand up to our best work.” Bassist Adam Clayton echoed this sentiment, adding, “I’m excited about the new songs. I feel like they’re coming at the right time.”
Alongside the EP, U2 has relaunched Propaganda as a one-off digital and limited-print zine. The issue features interviews with director Illya Mykhailus, producer Piotr Verzilov, Taras Topolia, and Bono, alongside song lyrics and notes from all four band members.