U2 are set to make a pilgrimage back to their “spiritual home” of Island Records, the label that first discovered the Dublin outfit in the 1970s, for the release of their upcoming thirteenth studio album, reportedly titled Songs Of Ascent and slated for release in the new year.
As The Guardian reports, the band left the label more than seven years ago, unsatisfied with the way the label was treating them. After Island boss Jason Iley moved to sister label Mercury, his successor commanded minimal personal involvement with bands, much to the ire of Bono and co.
The band followed Iley over to Mercury, but earlier this year parent company Universal shut down the label, shifting many signees over to new company, Virgin/EMI. At the time it was unclear where the Irish giants would end up calling home, with both band and record labels remaining silent.
A source has now confirmed that the band will return to Island, whose logo the band continued to include on releases, for Songs Of Ascent, with the label reportedly receiving a change in management since U2’s departure. “They are going back to their spiritual home,” said the source.
As Music Feeds previously reported, recording on album number 13 has been completed at Electric Lady Studios, with an early 2014 release planned according to bassist Adam Clayton. The band have officially christened their return to Island by visiting the label to meet some of the staff.
(Via The Guardian)
