U2/ Days Of Ash (EP)

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

U2/ Days Of Ash (EP)

Genre: Rock

Label: Island Records 

Rating; **** 1/2

It's been a while since Bono and his buddies created something new, the last set of original U2 songs coming in 2017's Songs Of Experience. It's been years since they wrote hard-hitting political songs - classics like 'Sunday Bloody Sunday, 'Bullet The Blue Sky' and 'Pride (In The Name Of Love)' hark back to the 1980s, and the Bosnian war-themed 'Miss Sarajevo' was out in 1995.

So it came as a surprise that the Irish biggies chose Ash Wednesday, February 18, to pop out their new six-song EP Days Of Ash without any advance notification. Even more significant, the songs mean serious protest, whether they talk of the Trump administration, the invasion of Ukraine or tragedies in Iran. Of course, it's important to know the context of the songs for better appreciation.

The EP comes three weeks after born-in-the-USA hero Bruce Springsteen released 'Streets of Minneapolis', an outcry against the killing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during Operation Metro Surge against immigrants. While Springsteen was more in-your-face, U2 is more subtle and symbolic while highlighting the Renee Good incident on their opening song 'American Obituary'. Here, Bono sings, "America will rise, against the people of the lie, I love you more than hate loves war".

Musically, 'American Obituary' is a trademark U2 song, beginning with The Edge's classic guitar riff and continuing with quintessential fill-ins and solo, with bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr tight on the rhythm section. In contrast, the second song 'The Tears Of Things' seems more like a Leonard Cohen composition - minus that booming voice of the Canadian legend.

Narrated in semi-spoken style, 'The Tears Of Things' uses the Biblical tale of David and Goliath to address the issue of global political violence. Lines like, "If you put a man into a cage and rattle it enough, a man becomes the kind of rage that cannot be locked up" convey the song's mood, as the instrumentation builds up from a simple acoustic guitar backdrop to a sizzling lead guitar solo.

'Song Of The Future' is vintage U2, as it honours 16-year--old Sarina Esmailzadeh, killed in the 2022 protests in Iran. "Sarina Sarina, she's the song of the future, playing in my mind, gotta know gotta find a way to get her, she's holding up the sign, all alone, all alone, but not alone, yeah we're not alone", sings Bono, to some solid bass and drum backdrop.

In a total detour, Bono doesn't sing the next track 'Wildpeace', which is recited as a poem wriiten by Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai, and recited by Nigerian journalist and artiste Adeola. Along with Irish musician Jacknife Lee (who's also produced the EP), they create an ambient electronic soundscape to back words like "A liitle rest for the wounds - who speaks of healing? And the howl of the orphans is passed from one generation to the next, as in a relay race: the baton never falls".

The other two songs take you to the West Bank and Ukraine. 'One Life At A Time' is based on the killing of Palestine activist Awdah Hathaleen. Aided by some fantastic back-up vocals, Bono sings, "What you hope depends on what you dream, what you imagine is your destiny".

On the final track 'Yours Eternally', U2 ropes in Ed Sheeran, who's also chipped in on the song's lyrics, and Ukrainian singer Taras Topolia. It's about the ongoing situation in Ukraine, written as a letter by a soldier. Perhaps, it's the most singalong number on the record and Ed's presence may help reach out to newer audiences.

In interviews, Bono has said these songs were timely considering what's going on in the world today. He's also talked of releasing a more cheerful full-length album later in the year. While that may be a complete contrast, Days Of Ash stands out on its own for its bravado and sincerity. It wouldn't be inaccurate to call it a much-needed U2 comeback.