U2 drops second surprise EP of 2026 – How good is Easter Lily?

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U2 clearly pays attention to religious holidays. In 2026, they unexpectedly released an EP called Days of Ash on Ash Wednesday, and followed it up with Easter Lily on Good Friday. This has fans wondering if their next album might be released on Christmas Day – but we’ll have to wait and find out!

“Days of Ash” was an album filled with songs primarily dedicated to activists who had passed away, many of whom were killed. The music was touching, often lovely, and generally inspiring.

U2’s new album, Easter Lily, explores deep and personal questions about faith and religion. The band is genuinely searching for answers, and while they’ve often touched on religious themes in their music, they’ve always managed to do so without being labeled a religious band – it’s a key part of what makes them special.

U2 delivers surprise EP, Easter Lily: A review

Does that continue on the new EP? Mostly, yes.

The first track, “Song for Hal,” is a tribute to Hal Willner, a friend and occasional producer who sadly passed away in 2020 due to complications from COVID-19.

The song begins with a cheerful, textured sound, reminiscent of the guitar work The Edge did with U2 on their acclaimed album, Achtung Baby. He’s really honed this style over the years, and it’s become a trademark of his playing.

The song evokes the pop sound of the late 1960s, and it does so really well. While the vocals are a little prominent compared to the music, Bono’s voice is powerful and clear.

Following that is the song “In a Life,” accompanied by a lyric video that includes early photos of the band – images from over 40 years ago. The song’s sound is reminiscent of Snow Patrol at their finest, and given that both bands – Snow Patrol and U2 – hail from Ireland, this similarity is likely deliberate.

I really love this song – it sounds fantastic! I’m just a little curious if it’ll stay interesting after I’ve heard it a bunch of times, but right now, I’m really enjoying it.

“Scars” begins with a bass line that brings to mind “Exit” from The Joshua Tree. The song’s sound is similar to the first two tracks on this EP, and it hints at a potential guitar solo. However, the song wisely avoids one, as a solo would have felt out of place and self-indulgent.

“Resurrection Song” perfectly showcases U2’s ability to write a great rock song that’s also beautiful, without being overly sentimental. It’s reminiscent of “Beautiful Day,” but with a bit less grandeur. The lyrics are arguably the strongest on the EP. The only slightly strange part is the ending – the song seems to want to continue, but instead simply fades out.

“Easter Parade” has a cool, psychedelic feel that fits with the rest of the EP’s retro sound, drawing inspiration from the late 1960s. While it might not be one of the band’s most famous songs, it’s still a worthwhile track – and like many of U2’s lesser-known songs, it’s probably better than a lot of material from other bands.

The EP closes with “COEXIST (I Will Bless the Lord at All Times),” a track produced by Brian Eno – the renowned producer famous for his work with U2 on albums like The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, and The Unforgettable Fire. This final song has a noticeably different sound compared to the rest of the EP.

The song is gentle, beautiful, and feels almost like a prayer, though it doesn’t quite come together fully. You can definitely tell Brian Eno worked on it, but it feels like it’s missing a final touch.

Both “Easter Lily” and “Days of Ash” are strong EPs, and while we’re looking forward to a full album—hopefully in 2026—it would be great to hear even more depth and variety. The songs on these EPs are a little too similar in sound, and truly exceptional music often pushes boundaries and offers a unique listening experience.

Easter Lily tracklist:

  • 1. “Song for Hal”
  • 2. “In a Life”
  • 3. “Scars”
  • 4. “Resurrection Song”
  • 5. “Easter Parade”
  • 6. “COEXIST (I Will Bless The Lord At All Times?)”

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2026-04-03 17:00