U2 releases politically charged EP amidst global crises
A beautiful day dawned for U2 fans last week when the band surprise-released a new EP that focuses on some of the world’s hottest political flashpoints. Days of Ash is U2 doing what they do best – blending epic guitars and call-to-arms lyrics that address pressing issues, from the political crisis in America to war in Palestine and Ukraine, reports BritPanorama.
U2’s detractors may remain unmoved by these new tracks. However, regardless of one’s stance on Bono, the new material’s fervency is both heartening and sobering. The EP directly condemns Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in Minnesota and mourns the killing of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen by an Israeli settler in the West Bank.
Heartening because U2 recognises that an essential duty of a generation-defining band is to be politically vocal and directly confront contemporary issues. This notion is echoed in Bruce Springsteen’s recent protest track “Streets of Minneapolis,” recorded swiftly after the death of Renée Good at the hands of an ICE agent.
Yet, these songs are sobering, as they highlight that protest rock appears to be a boomer-only enclave. At 76, Springsteen and 65-year-old Bono seem uniquely positioned to address themes of war in Ukraine and the civil strife in the United States. Their willingness to pick up a loudhailer stands in stark contrast to a younger generation of artists.
While younger artists, such as Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish, have made political comments, they often refrain from embedding these themes into their music. Despite significant outspokenness, this reluctance limits the potential impact of their messages. Although they may address political wrongs, there seems to be an unspoken agreement to keep their music a sanctuary from the noise of everyday life.
This generational shift in songwriting signifies a notable cultural change, returning music to a state where it serves more as distraction than artistic commentary. There are exceptions, such as Bad Bunny’s recent politically driven Super Bowl performance, which made an important statement about identity in the Americas.
Furthermore, politically engaged underground acts like Kneecap and Bob Vylan speak volumes about their respective experiences, yet their influence remains niche compared to mainstream giants like U2 or Springsteen.
U2’s commitment to using their platform as a call to action underscores the idea that rock music can extend beyond entertainment. This sentiment is encapsulated in their collaboration with Ed Sheeran and Ukrainian singer Taras Topolia on the standout track “Yours Eternally,” which reflects the perspective of a Ukrainian soldier, challenging Sheeran’s usual narrative of romance.
Bono recounted how Sheeran was initially hesitant to participate in overtly political songs, indicating the pervasive reluctance among many of today’s artists to engage with such themes. U2’s insistence on addressing global crises through their music serves to remind listeners of rock’s potential as a vehicle for social change.
