U2 releases reflective ‘Easter Lily’ EP as companion to ongoing studio sessions
U2 released a new standalone six-track EP titled “Easter Lily” on Good Friday, marking the band’s second collection of new music to debut this spring while work continues on a forthcoming studio album.
Released April 3 via Island Records, the EP follows the Ash Wednesday release of “Days of Ash.” While the previous collection responded to global chaos, the band described “Easter Lily” as a more private, reflective set of songs centered on themes of friendship, loss, and renewal.
The EP includes “Song for Hal,” a lockdown lament featuring The Edge on lead vocals. The track is a tribute to the late producer Hal Willner, a longtime friend of the band who died in 2020. Other tracks include “In a Life,” “Scars,” “Resurrection Song,” and “Easter Parade.” The collection concludes with “COEXIST (I Will Bless The Lord At All Times?),” a lullaby featuring a soundscape by Brian Eno.
In a note to fans, frontman Bono described the songs as an exploration of personal questions during “wilderness years.”
“We are in the studio, still working towards a noisy, messy, ‘unreasonably colourful’ album to play LIVE,” Bono said. “With Easter Lily we ended up asking very personal questions like: Are our own relationships up to these challenging times? How hard do you fight for friendship?”
The singer noted that the EP’s title is a tribute to Patti Smith’s 1978 album, “Easter,” which he credited as a major influence during his youth.
The release is accompanied by a digital edition of the band’s fan magazine, “Propaganda.” The “Easter Lily” edition features sleeve notes from The Edge, a discussion on recovery and art by bassist Adam Clayton, and studio photography by drummer Larry Mullen Jr. It also includes a conversation between Bono and Franciscan friar Richard Rohr.
The “Easter Lily” EP and the accompanying digital magazine are available now through the band’s official website and major streaming platforms.
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