U2's New Album Carnaval de Luz Features Dolly Parton's Final
U2 announces 'Carnaval de Luz,' their first full-length studio album in nearly nine years, featuring Dolly Parton's last recorded vocals and collaborations
U2 announced the release of their new album 'Carnaval de Luz' on November 13. This marks the band's first proper studio album of new music in nearly nine years, arriving around their 50th anniversary. The 12-track LP follows the EPs 'Days Of Ash' and 'Easter Lily,' which were released earlier this year and each contained six tracks. 'Carnaval de Luz' is U2's 16th full-length project.
Creative collaborators and production
The album was produced by Jacknife Lee and features a wide array of contributors. Brian Eno co-wrote and played synthesisers on three tracks, including the opener 'Go (Carnaval de Luz).' Daniel Lanois contributed pedal steel on one track, while Ryan Tedder provided additional production on the lead single 'Silencio.' Martin Garrix has a writing credit on the track 'Glorify.' The Edge highlighted one technical detail, saying the album "features the first-ever use of flat-wound strings on a U2 recording."
Tracklist and notable features
The album contains 12 songs, blending new material with previously released singles. The tracklist is as follows:
The song 'Torn' is a duet with Dolly Parton, described as her last recorded vocal performance. It was co-written by Snow Patrol's Johnny McDaid with Parton and the band. The lead single 'Silencio' was released on September 24 and is described in a press release as a playful, energetic "2mins 35second homage to early surf-punk insolence." Its music video was filmed in Mexico City. Bono set the tone for the project with a vivid statement. Roll up, roll up, roll up! Bring your purple socks, your broken hearts, your rose-tinted naivety… oh be amazed in the hall of mirrors, he said.
Themes and artistic direction
'Carnaval de Luz' follows the liturgical calendar, a structure also used for the preceding EPs. The album tackles themes of spirituality, friendship, freedom, and endurance. It mirrors some of U2's most experimental work. The band had been teasing new music for some time, with Bono stating last year that nobody needs a new U2 album unless it’s an extraordinary one and expressing strong feelings about the new material. The album is set for release on November 13 via Island Records, with pre-orders available now.
