Legendary Irish Band U2 Releases EP Days of Ash, addressing ICE Shootings, featuring Ed Sheeran

Legendary Irish Band U2 Releases EP Days of Ash, addressing ICE Shootings, featuring Ed Sheeran

Legendary Irish rock band U2 has surprised fans by releasing a politically charged six-track extended play (EP) titled Days of Ash, marking their first original music in almost a decade. The release, which dropped on Ash Wednesday (February 18, 2026), tackles pressing global events — including the fatal shooting of Renée Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis — and includes a collaboration with Grammy-winning singer Ed Sheeran.

The EP’s tracks were described by the band as an immediate response to current events, inspired by courageous individuals confronting conflict and injustice around the world. Alongside songs reflecting on violence and human rights, one of the standout tracks — “Yours Eternally” — features vocals from Ed Sheeran and Ukrainian musician-turned-soldier Taras Topolia, showcasing a global musical collaboration united by a powerful message.

Days of Ash comprises five original songs and one spoken poem and touches on themes such as:

• The killing of Renée Good by ICE agents in the U.S., memorialized in “American Obituary”.

• Other global events of social and political significance, including the war in Ukraine and uprisings in Iran.

• Personal tributes to individuals affected by conflict and injustice, framed through lyrical storytelling and emotional resonance.

Frontman Bono explained that the EP’s songs “couldn’t wait” to be released due to the urgent nature of the world’s current issues, stating they are “songs of defiance and dismay,” aimed at confronting challenging times through music rather than offering simple escapism.

Following Days of Ash, U2 plans to release a full album later in 2026, but the band chose to issue this EP first in response to the intensity of recent events and the emotional weight of the stories they represent.