U2 is obviously aware of their holidays. On Ash Wednesday in 2026, the band dropped a surprise EP called Days of Ash. Following that, the group has released Easter Lily on Good Friday. Maybe their new album will come out on Christmas Day? Fans must wait and see.
Days of Ash was a collection of songs mostly about activists who had died, mostly killed. It was poignant, at times beautiful, and mostly uplifting.
According to a press release, Easter Lily contains tracks that are more about the band "asking very personal questions" about faith and religion in general. The search for the truth is real. U2 has often written great songs about religion without ever becoming a "religious band." It has been one of the magic tricks of their career.
U2 delivers surprise EP, Easter Lily: A review
Does that continue on the new EP? Mostly, yes.
The first song is titled "Song for Hal," which is dedicated to the band's late friend and sometime producer, Hal Willner. Willner died in 2020 from complications due to COVID-19.
The track starts with a happy-sounding mesh, with the Edge recalling his style from the group's excellent Achtung Baby. It has become his signature sound, and he has perfected it over the decades.
The track has a late-1960s pop feel, too, but in the best of ways. The vocals might be a bit too loud for the underlying rhythm, but Bono's voice is strong and pure.
Next comes "In a Life," which comes with a lyric video that also features photos from the band when they were just beginning, more than 40 years ago. Musically, the song is a cousin to the best that Snow Patrol could do. As both Snow Patrol and U2 are Irish bands, the coincidence is probably not unintentional.
The track is beautiful, and listenable. One might wonder if it will hold up to multiple listens, however.
"Scars" follows with an opening bass line that is reminiscent of "Exit" from The Joshua Tree. Sonically, the tune doesn't sound dissimilar to the first two tracks on the EP, though it does tease that it might be about to unleash a great guitar solo. It never does, but the solo would have been unnecessary and selfish.
"Resurrection Song" is a classic example of how U2 can create a proper rock song that can also be lovely, even while not being slow or sappy. Think "Beautiful Day," though without the full bombast. Lyrically, it is maybe the best on the EP. The only odd part comes at the end of the track as the song appears to keep wanting to linger, but just fades away.
"Easter Parade" is a nice piece of psychedelia, which keeps with the EP's overall tendency to borrow from the late 1960s. The track is likely to become one of the band's deeper cuts, but it's not without value, just like most of U2's deeper cuts might be some of the better tunes of most bands.
The final track, "COEXIST (I Will Bless the Lord at All Times," was produced by Brian Eno, the iconic producer who worked with U2 on many of the best works, such as The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, and The Unforgettable Fire. The final song on the EP is quite different from the other tunes.
The track is low-key, prayer-like, and lovely, but not quite cohesive. One would never doubt the tune was Eno-produced, but it needed something more.
Overall, Easter Lily, like Days of Ash, is quite good, though one might hope that when a full album is released, and the hope is that it happens in 2026, it will have a bit more nuance. The EP tracks are a bit too similar sonically, and real greatness requires risks and challenging listens.
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?)"