U2’s legendary guitarist, The Edge, has hinted at an experimental twist for the band’s upcoming album. In an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone, he revealed that the new record will steer away from traditional rock vibes, promising a fresh take on the band’s iconic sound.
“We’re in the honeymoon phase of experimentation,” The Edge shared, describing the creative process that has unfolded since the COVID-19 lockdowns. “I think the guitar will play a significant role, but it’s not going to be a heavy rock album. It’s a very different kind of use of the guitar—definitely not a straight-up rock thing.”
This departure aligns with U2’s long-standing tradition of redefining the boundaries of their music. “We’ve always tried to avoid using the guitar in ways that feel too mainstream or predictable. Finding something new keeps us excited,” he added.
Interestingly, these insights contrast Bono’s earlier remarks in 2023, where he envisioned the project as an “unreasonable guitar record” featuring big choruses. Bono had then emphasized the importance of reigniting public interest with compelling, fresh material: “The world isn’t waiting for the next U2 album; we need to give them a reason to care.”
The band’s progress has been influenced by drummer Larry Mullen Jr.’s recovery from surgery to address injuries accumulated over decades of performing. Mullen’s rehabilitation initially delayed the album’s production, but The Edge provided an optimistic update. “Larry is getting better every week. We’ve even recorded a session with him and have another scheduled soon. He’s in great form,” The Edge revealed.
Fans recently got a taste of U2’s archive with the release of Happiness, a previously unreleased track from their 2004 How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb sessions. This song will feature on a shadow album, How To Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb, set for release on November 22.
•Featured image: The Edge of U2 at the Gocheok Sky Dome on December 08, 2019 in Seoul, South Korea/Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
