U2 today released a new single ‘Silencio’ today and it is quite frankly, rather good. Putting all the possible jaded cynicism aside, it cannot be denied that U2 has been a passionate band that has delivered stunning music over the years.

The new track is an abrasive driving rock song with enough innovation and excitement to prove there’s still petrol in the tank, replete with swagger and attitude. I wonder if seeing the recent spate of rather good Irish music has proven an influence because there does seem to be an element of youthful rawness there, balanced by sheer experience.

Suffice to say, unlike the recent releases of some other bands of similar vintage, there is nothing bloated, pompous or self-conscious about the song.

The accompanying video was shot in Mexico City earlier this year and is directed by Cliqua, the Mexican-American directing duo Pasqual Gutiérrez and Raúl “RJ” Sanchez. It is suitably and appropriately brash and animated to suit the mood:

You can get the track here.

The track comes as the band announces their 16th studio album due for release on 13 November through Island Records. Recorded all over the place and produced by Jacknife Lee, ‘Carnaval De Luz’ is a collection of 12 songs exploring themes of spirituality, friendship, freedom and endurance in the face of dark, encroaching forces.

The album also sees collaborations from Brian Eno (co-writing and synthesizers on ‘Go (Carnaval De Luz)’, ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ and ‘Can’t Stop Us Now’), Martin Garrix (co-writing on ‘Glorify’), and Daniel Lanois (playing pedal steel on ‘Torn’); with additional production from Ryan Tedder on ‘Silencio’.

The Edge said of the album:

It’s a messy, provocative, sacred collection of songs — and features the first-ever use of flat-wound strings on a U2 recording. Just saying.

Singer Bono adds, in his own inimitable way:

Roll up, roll up, roll up! Bring your purple socks, your broken hearts, your rose-tinted naivety… oh be amazed in the hall of mirrors. There will be loud guitars, deep bass, some ecstatic rhythms and, yes, some silver tears will make an appearance!

‘Cause in the near distance just outside our carnival of light there are all kinds of creatures… the same imagination that brings us our creativity can also bring us monsters. So we make the drums louder. We build a bigger fire. We make our stories wilder and funnier. We make the melodies sweeter and the songs, they better shine, because if the world is in darkness we better not be.

‘Carnaval De Luz’ will be available in formats including: Limited Edition Deluxe Vinyl & CD Boxsets, Various Limited Edition Coloured & Bespoke Vinyl variants, Standard CD, Standard Vinyl, Digital Download. Pre-order, pre-save here.

Europeans who pre-order will get a chance to enter a lottery for a tour next year.

Feature Photograph: Viviane Sassen

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