U2 Announces 'Carnaval De Luz,' First New Album in Nine Years, Featuring Dolly Parton
The 12-track album, set for release on November 13, will include a duet with Parton that is described as her final recorded vocal performance.
Irish rock band U2 is preparing to release their 16th studio album, "Carnaval De Luz," on November 13, marking their first full-length collection of new material in nine years. The album will feature a collaboration with country music legend Dolly Parton on a song titled "Torn."
Interscope Records announced the album's release date and shared a new track, "Silencio." The first single from "Carnaval De Luz," "Street of Dreams," was released in July.
Guitarist The Edge described the album as "a messy, provocative, sacred collection of songs," while singer Bono added, "There will be loud guitars, deep bass, some ecstatic rhythms." The title, "Carnaval De Luz," translates from Spanish and Portuguese to "Carnival of Light." The album is produced by Jacknife Lee, who has worked with U2 since their 2004 album "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb."
The track "Torn" with Parton is described as "what has sadly turned out to be her last recorded vocal performance," according to a statement, which a representative for Parton confirmed. The song was co-written by U2, Parton, and Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol. It is characterized as "a tender country song detailing broken family ties that holds wider resonances."
This year, U2 is also celebrating its 50th anniversary. The band has recently released two EPs, "Days of Ash" and "Easter Lily," each containing six songs, coinciding with Ash Wednesday and Easter.
The album cover for "Carnaval De Luz" features The Edge and Bono alongside drummer Larry Mullen Jr. and bassist Adam Clayton, walking along a beach. Bono is depicted in a top hat and black coat, an image that echoes the iconic cover of The Beatles' "Abbey Road."