U2 returns with the new album 'Carnaval De Luz' and the single 'Silencio' in 2026

Nine years since their last album of new material, U2 makes a long-awaited comeback with the announcement of 'Carnaval De Luz', the band’s sixteenth studio album, which will be released on November 13, 2026 via Island Records. The premiere is marked by the fresh single 'Silencio', which came out on September 24, 2026, alongside a visually striking music video directed by the acclaimed duo Cliqua and filmed in Mexico City.

The release of 'Carnaval De Luz' carries special significance as it coincides with the band’s 50th anniversary—exactly half a century since drummer Larry Mullen Jr. sought fellow musicians to form a band in Dublin. Over the years, U2 has developed a reputation for continuously reinventing itself without abandoning its unique style, and the new album is no exception; here, innovation and a return to their roots meet in a creative and energetic spirit.

A tribute to perseverance and collaboration

'Carnaval De Luz' is mainly produced by Jacknife Lee and recorded in several locations around the world. The album comprises 12 tracks with themes such as spirituality, friendship, freedom, and perseverance against the dark forces of today. The inspiration is drawn from the band’s most experimental periods, but the songwriting is characterized by a direct and accessible approach. Songs like "The Greatest Show On Earth," "Glorify," and "Midnight Sunshine" illustrate the balance between renewal and classic U2 feeling.

The single 'Silencio' stands out—an intense, two and a half minute tribute to raw surf-punk energy, with Ryan Tedder contributing production that gives the song both sharpness and brilliance. The powerful music video reinforces the song’s themes and demonstrates the band's willingness to explore new visual and musical territories.

The most emotionally charged feature on 'Carnaval De Luz' is the closing track "Torn," a duet between U2’s Bono and the late Dolly Parton. The song, written by U2, Parton, and Johnny McDaid, is a reflective and heartfelt depiction of family ties—also serving as a touching tribute to Parton, making her final recording here. Daniel Lanois adds pedal steel, Brian Eno provides synthesizer (also on "Go (Carnaval De Luz)," "The Greatest Show on Earth" and "Can’t Stop Us Now"), and Martin Garrix handles production on "Glorify."

'Carnaval De Luz' has strong connections to U2’s creative output earlier in 2026, when they released the two surprise EPs 'Days of Ash' and 'Easter Lily'. These were recorded during the same period and form a thematic unity, with the album’s energetic abundance serving as a prelude to the EPs’ more contemplative moods. The album title, which means "carnival of light," becomes a tribute to body and soul ahead of a time of reflection.

The album’s complete track list reflects this journey:

• Go (Carnaval De Luz)
• La Reina
• Street Of Dreams
• The Mirror Maker (Rosalía)
• Superficiality
• If The World Is At War We Better Not Be
• Silencio
• The Greatest Show On Earth
• Glorify
• Midnight Sunshine
• Can’t Stop Us Now
• Torn (Feat. Dolly Parton)

Leading up to the album release, "Street of Dreams" gave a taste of U2’s new sound when it was launched in July 2026. Both "Silencio" and "Street of Dreams" are available for digital streaming and download via major platforms and further build on expectations for the forthcoming album.

'Carnaval De Luz' will be released in several formats appealing to both fans and collectors: standard and deluxe vinyl (in specially colored editions), deluxe box sets, standard CD, and digital versions. This arrangement gives listeners the chance to experience what looks set to be one of U2’s most comprehensive and personal works to date.