U2 Unveils Lead Single “Street of Dreams” Ahead of First New Album in Nine Years

U2 released “Street of Dreams” as the lead single from an as-yet-untitled studio album slated for release later in 2026. Produced by longtime collaborator Jacknife Lee, the track debuted alongside a music video filmed in Mexico City in May. The shoot took place near Plaza Santo Domingo; a sudden thunderstorm knocked out the generator powering the set. A local family invited the band onto their balcony, allowing filming to continue despite the rain. The video shows the quartet performing on a graffiti-covered bus and from the balcony while a large crowd of fans gathered despite the inclement weather.

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Earlier in 2026 the band issued two surprise EPs—*Days of Ash* (released on Ash Wednesday, 18 February) and *Easter Lily* (released on Good Friday). Both EPs contain six new songs each; *Days of Ash* features collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Taras Topolia. The EPs were described by the band as immediate responses to current events, contrasting with the forthcoming album, which Bono says will be “noisy, messy, ‘unreasonably colorful’” and intended for live performance. The new album will be U2’s first collection of entirely new material since 2017’s *Songs of Experience*, marking a nine-year gap.

New album on the way, as U2 return with 'Street Of Dreams'

The single features the classic lineup: Bono (vocals), The Edge (guitar), Adam Clayton (bass) and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums). Jacknife Lee, who co-produced 2004’s *How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb* and served as musical director for Bono’s 2022-23 theater tour, handled production. The video’s visual concept was developed by artist Chavis Mármol, who painted the bus used in the shoot.

U2 Previews New Album With Raucous 'Street of Dreams' Video

• May 2026 – Video shoot in Mexico City, coinciding with the 2026 Street Child World Cup Finals at Parque Ecológico Lago de Texcoco.

U2 > News > Street Of Dreams

• 18 Feb 2026 – *Days of Ash* EP released (six tracks).

New album on the way, as U2 return with 'Street Of Dreams'

• April 2026 – *Easter Lily* EP released (six tracks).

New album on the way, as U2 return with 'Street Of Dreams'

• 7 Jul 2026 – “Street of Dreams” single released.

U2 > News > Street Of Dreams

• Sept 2026 – U2’s 50th anniversary (formation in 1976).

U2 Previews New Album With Raucous 'Street of Dreams' Video

• Late 2026 – New studio album release (exact date undisclosed).

U2 Share New Single "Street Of Dreams": Listen

The single signals the band’s return to original songwriting after a period focused on reinterpretations and thematic EPs. It also marks drummer Larry Mullen Jr.’s first full-band appearance since neck-surgery forced his absence from the Las Vegas Sphere residency. The release aligns with the band’s 50-year milestone, suggesting a potential world tour that would echo U2’s historic pattern of supporting new albums with global concerts.

New album on the way, as U2 return with 'Street Of Dreams'

Bono described the upcoming album as a “noisy, messy, ‘unreasonably colorful’” work built for live performance, emphasizing rock & roll as “an act of resistance against all this awfulness on our small screens.” Mullen reflected on his recovery, noting that ignoring his symptoms “wasn’t easy” and that “when you don’t listen to your body the consequences are inevitable.” The band’s official caption for the video read, “Justice an obsession, love is procession down the street of dreams.”

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Reviewers noted the song’s uplifting anthem quality but criticized its lyrical content as overly generic. One critic called the verses “platitudes” such as “Your dream needs you” and “Be here/Be free/Be yourself,” suggesting a lack of specificity despite the song’s hopeful tone.

U2 Release "Street of Dreams," First Single from Upcoming Studio Album

Fans gathered in large numbers despite thunder and rain, creating a spontaneous street-concert atmosphere. After the generator failure, the band performed acoustic excerpts from the balcony, engaging the crowd while the production crew repaired equipment.

NME | New Musical Express

Sources differ on the exact track listings of *Days of Ash*: some enumerate titles and guest artists, while others simply note six new songs. The precise release date of the forthcoming album remains unspecified, with all sources only indicating “later this year.” The album’s title also remains undisclosed.

U2 Share New Single "Street Of Dreams": Listen

• “We are in the studio, still working towards a noisy, messy, ‘unreasonably colorful’ album to play LIVE … which is where U2 lives,” — Bono, U2 frontman

Rolling Stone

• “We still look to vivid rock & roll as an act of resistance against all this awfulness on our small screens.” — Bono, U2 frontman

Rolling Stone

• “I’m not gonna lie, it wasn’t easy missing the Sphere residency through injury,” — Larry Mullen Jr., U2 drummer

Rolling Stone

• “Turns out I’m not invincible, and when you don’t listen to your body the consequences are inevitable.” — Larry Mullen Jr., U2 drummer

Rolling Stone

• “Justice an obsession, love is procession down the street of dreams” — U2 (official video caption)

NME | New Musical Express

U2 will celebrate their 50th anniversary in September 2026 and is expected to release the new studio album before the year’s end. The band has not announced a tour, but past patterns suggest live performances will accompany the album launch.

NME | New Musical Express