U2 has released “Days of Ash,” a six-song EP addressing recent global tragedies, including the killing of Renee Nicole Great by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on January 7th. The opening track, “American Obituary,” directly confronts the circumstances of Good’s death, a 37-year-old mother of three.
“Renee Good, born to die free / American mother of three / seventh day January / a bullet for each child, as you can see,” Bono sings in the song, which features a driving rock arrangement. The lyrics continue, questioning the justification for the shooting: “Renee, the ‘domestic terrorist’? / What you can’t kill can’t die / America will rise against the people of the lie.”
The release of the EP, described by the band as an “urgent intervention,” comes as U2 prepares to release a full album later this year. Bono, in accompanying material, characterized Good as “a woman committed to nonviolent civil disobedience” and expressed concern over her being labeled a “domestic terrorist” by Kristi Noem, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security head. He argued that such language undermines democratic principles and called for an independent inquiry into her death.
“Days of Ash” extends beyond the case of Renee Good, addressing other recent events. “Song of the Future” focuses on the protests in Iran and the death of Sarina Esmailzadeh, a 16-year-old who died during the Women, Life, Freedom movement in September 2022. Bono criticizes the Iranian ruling class, describing them as suppressing dissent through interpretations of religious text. “One Life at a Time” is dedicated to Awdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian activist killed in the West Bank in July 2025, who had worked on the Oscar-winning film “No Other Land.” Bono described the killing as “heinous.”
The EP also includes “The Tears of Things,” inspired by the work of Richard Rohr, and a recitation of the poem “Wildpeace” by Yehuda Amichai, read by Adeola with musical accompaniment from U2. Bono emphasized the importance of countering antisemitism and condemned both the October 7th attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli response under Benjamin Netanyahu. He also acknowledged the conflict in Sudan and criticized cuts to U.S. Foreign aid made during the Trump administration.
The closing track, “Yours Eternally,” features a collaboration with Ed Sheeran and Taras Topolia, a Ukrainian musician currently serving in the armed forces. The song originated from a meeting brokered by Sheeran and a subsequent performance by U2 with Topolia in a Kyiv metro station used as a bomb shelter in May 2022. A short documentary accompanying the song, directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Ilya Mikhaylus, is scheduled for release on February 24th, the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Bono questioned whether Putin’s ambitions would be limited to Ukraine, suggesting a potential threat to other nations.
Drummer Larry Mullen Jr., who was absent from U2’s recent concert residency in Las Vegas due to neck surgery, expressed his relief at being able to contribute to the EP. Bassist Adam Clayton highlighted the importance of “tolerance, freedom and choosing not to jump to judgment.” Bono outlined his vision for a “radical centre” in politics, emphasizing the need to combat the “death of truth.”
U2 confirmed that the material on “Days of Ash” is distinct from the songs planned for their upcoming album, which they anticipate will have “a carnival vibe … a more defiantly joyful experience.” Bono indicated that the EP tracks were released immediately due to their urgent nature, representing “songs of defiance and dismay, of lamentation.”
