What an opening 3 single salvo with TGSOE as the gold medalist
5
By zoocarolina
TGSOE may be one of the greatest not just U2, but one of the greatest songs ever produced. So powerful and an emotional gut punch!!
…love is all we got.
5
By IM Possible
The album is starting to feel like a cinematic battle cry against evil and badness that U2 finally admitted to recognizing in the interview with the NY Times. It’s a shout and rebellious cry to keep joy and goodness. We could always use more light and goodness these days
The Boys Are Back
5
By Neck Deep in Snow
They still sound strong…relevant, musical, and yet U2 with every note. Focus seems to be back on songs that have a little soul and life and energy to them. Guitar tone is a little more ATYCLB or HTDAAB which is always welcome. Nice to have them back for another run.
They have moved past Songs of...
4
By buffyrulz89
I like what they've put out so far, 3 songs now. Some reminiscence of Atomic Bomb, The Horizon. If you were a fan of these two albums, you may like this. I look forward to a few more albums by U2 before final retirement. This may not be their finest work, but this is neither their weakest, a worthy return to good form given the last 3 albums. I look forward to the rest of the album release, and hopefully some return to the stage that worked well for Vertigo and 360 tours.
Rock-n-Roll can be political
4
By Babygold55
It’s interesting how the one-star reviews seem to be attached to a message of anti-liberal comments. Let’s not forget that some of the best rock and punk music has been generated by responses to the politics people encounter. These exceptionally bright individuals choose to let their music speak for them, and I applaud their choices. These three tracks are better than a lot of their more recent releases. I might actually get this album if the other songs are just as good.
It’s all faded away
2
By bornintime
I just turned 64 years old. It’s not my fault. Time keeps on rolling. I’ve been an avid fan of the band since I was 21 years old. Aren’t I their target audience anymore?? I should be, right? I’ve bought all their new stuff on the first day of release for 4 decades plus. And loved most of it. So yes I am the most qualified to evaluate this new album. These new songs just don’t have it. You know what IT is and this is not it. Here’s the thing. U2 are all 65 and 66 years old. Yes, retirement age. Why don’t they put out music reflecting their age and experience in life instead of pretending that they’re still young and hip. Who exactly is this for? Are they expecting to get new fans from this? Haha. Are they expecting that anyone except the most loyal sycophantic fans will embrace this? Not going to happen. Why don’t you just stay in your lane and make the music we all want to hear? The music you know in your heart is the best you can do. Embrace it. Time is growing short and we just don’t have time for this.
10/15/26: new song released - The Greatest Show on Earth. I give it a 6 out of 10. Not totally unpleasant. But certainly not the alchemy of the dozens of amazing U2 songs that they used to release effortlessly. If I couldn’t ever hear it again I would be ok. Remember when U2 music used to matter, before it just turned into product like this. Maybe it’s just time to stop and hold off releasing anything until they are truly old men, 75 or 80 years old. It’s not that far off. Genuineness and authenticity could creep up on them when they don’t expect it.
There it is
5
By Long live Pop/Zooropa
Greatest Show on Earth is a slow, cinematic, unvarnished, heartbreaking song. This is U2. This is the band that shook me as a teenager.
Poetry
5
By Mr Zippyquick
The lyrics of the works from 2026 are really beyond reproach - a perfect 10 out of 10.
Love it!
5
By HenryLopez@TheHowOfBusiness
It's U2, yet reinvented. I love the three released songs and excited about the rest of the trakcs and seeing them in concert next year.
Same Old Same Old
1
By TCSinatras
Fan since 83, when War came out. Seen them live 8 times. Bono signed my Jean Jacket in Cleveland in 93. From Boy to HTDAAB, the journey has been terrific. Some medicore stuff filled that time, but everthing after has been bland, boring and just flat-out unlistenable. Fans don't want bands to change over time, but they must in order to sustain their creativity, but these last few ablums simply lack any creativity. Go back to the drawing board, boys and find something new and fresh. Don't worry about the masses.
Thrilled
4
By DanDardenne
U2 have been the soundtrack of my life since 1983 and the fact that they’re still trying to reinvent themselves and release new material is thrilling! I like Silencio but I’m eager to hear the remaining tunes on the album!!
Loving this:
5
By kevt444
These tunes are so catchy. I can say it, “U2 is BACK.” So ready to hear how the rest of the album sounds.
Awful
1
By SBUCK55
Their music is terrible and I still can't get that stupid free album off my ITunes from years ago.
Outstanding!!!
5
By Coach Lonster XVIII
Still sounding fresh and inspired.
Take a lesson
1
By mgilse
Take a lesson from Jagger & Richards! When you remain focused on your craft you make good music. When you focus and preach your political views it shows in your music and not well! Less time hanging out with Springsteen on your yacht in Monaco and more time in the studio gentlemen!
Laughable at best
1
By schizm88
Bono writes lyrics like a toddler
White Savior Complex
1
By J Dog 🐶
U2 just might be the most mid, vanilla band on the planet right next to Coldplay. I’m baffled why anyone thinks Bono has any more musical talent than Corey Feldman. What makes this worse, though, is the forced left leaning politics that borders on giving white savior complex. “Silencio” is U2 dropping F-bombs and trying to be edgy for teenagers 26 years after retiring and selling out to adult contemporary radio with ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind’ (which was, arguably, their last decent release). None of these reinventions over the last quarter of a century have worked because they already showed their true selves in 2000, and progressing backwards into wannabe rock for “the kids” is just, weird. Just because it somehow worked for Madonna doesn’t mean it can for everybody. Not even teaming up with Apple and forcing an album on everyone’s phone worked for them. Idk, I watched the “Silencio” music video, and with everything involved with ICE and people’s lives being ruined and families ripped apart, turning the whole situation into some goofy Tarantino like music video with lyrics in Spanglish sung by a white dude feels a bit self indulgent for a band that’s supposedly these left leaning, bleeding heart liberals. Maybe it’s just me. This is the worst U2 has ever sounded, and that’s saying a lot.
Hay Caramba
2
By TeacherMike5862
As someone who was once a massive, obsessive U2 fan, these new singles are frustrating. “Calle de los Sueños” is particularly weak. The Edge keeps returning to the same chiming, delay-heavy guitar vocabulary he perfected in the mid-’80s, while Bono still seems invested in the grand Bono-as-messiah persona. That worked when the songs were undeniable. It doesn’t work when the material isn’t there.
Even something as ridiculous as Bono shouting “uno, dos, tres, catorce” on “Vertigo” worked because the song was catchy, energetic and had a monster hook. These songs don’t. Senora Bono no mas espanol, por favor.
What makes it more disappointing is watching a contemporary like James (who have now and TBH for awhile have taken the slot of my favorite all time band). They seem far less concerned with protecting their legacy or recreating some classic version of themselves. They simply keep making music, taking chances and producing quality albums. U2 once did exactly that with records like Achtung Baby, Zooropa and even the flawed but adventurous Pop.
I don’t need U2 to sound young. I don’t need another Joshua Tree (or maybe I do). I just want them to stop sounding like they’re trying to remind me why U2 used to be great and give me a reason to believe they can still make great music now.
Wow
4
By ilikematpat
These guys are still around, I genuinely thought they all died, nice job.
