When U2 called their last album Songs Of Innocence – and then successfully had Apple automatically download it to every iTunes user’s account – most of us knew that there would be a second one coming quick on its heels.
Well the band confirmed this today, announcing the upcoming release of a new album titled Songs Of Experience.
Both titles of course are references to 18th century polymath William Blake’s Songs Of Innocence And Experience for any of you non-literary types out there.
The band didn’t exactly go to great lengths to hide the fact they were working on a companion piece to 2014 Songs Of Innocence when they named the tour they planned off the back of it the Innocence And Experience Tour. Still no one had confirmed the existence of the follow up album until U2 En España tracked the band down while in Valencia for a friend’s wedding and got Bono, The Edge and bassist Adam Clayton under interrogation.
The edge revealed that the band have 50 songs ready which they are narrowing down for inclusion on the album, while Bono added that he thinks this is his best lyrical output- in sometime. It’s not finished yet but you will like it,” he told the fan site. “In terms of lyrics it is stronger than War; it has more clarity.”
Not happy to let the breadcrumbs finish there, Bono teased a second leg of the Innocence and Experience tour, presumably the experience part. “The second part of the tour is for 2017,” he said adding that “you might see a few things in September or October though.”
Given the recent warning from Aussie promoter Michael Gudinski to prepare for an onslaught of huge rock tours in 2017, Australian fans will wait on that one with bated breath.
Bassist Adam Clayton meanwhile came through with the details confirming that the album and a new set of tour dates will be announced “soon … in the next six months.”
Already confirmed to be playing at the iHeartRadio Festival in Las Vegas next months, fans are on The Edge of their seats awaiting any further news of the band’s plans.
I’m so sorry.
Watch: U2 – Song For Someone
