Published: September 25, 2026 · 2:20 AM EDT
The “With or Without You” band returns with its first album of new material in nine years, featuring a final duet between Bono and Dolly Parton, collaborations with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, and the new single “Silencio”
U2 have announced their 16th studio album, Carnaval de Luz, scheduled for release on November 13, 2026, through Island Records. The 12-track collection marks the Irish rock band's first album of new material in nine years and features the final recorded vocal performance of country music legend Dolly Parton, who died on August 25 at the age of 80.
The album's closing track, “Torn,” features a duet between Bono and Dolly Parton. Co-written by U2, Parton and Johnny McDaid, the song addresses broken family relationships through a country-influenced arrangement featuring pedal steel guitar by longtime U2 collaborator Daniel Lanois.
According to the band's official announcement, the recording represents Parton's final vocal performance. The collaboration will be released nearly three months after her death, bringing together two artists whose recording careers developed across different musical traditions.
Read: Dolly Parton Dies at 80: 1946–2026
Alongside the album announcement, U2 released “Silencio” on September 24, 2026, accompanied by an official music video filmed in Mexico City and directed by Cliqua, the filmmaking duo of Pasqual Gutiérrez and Raúl “RJ” Sanchez.
The song follows “Street of Dreams,” which arrived in July as the first preview of Carnaval de Luz. The new album was produced by Jacknife Lee, with additional production contributions from Ryan Tedder on “Silencio.”
The recording also reunites U2 with Brian Eno, who co-wrote and contributed synthesizers to three tracks: “Go (Carnaval de Luz),” “The Greatest Show on Earth” and “Can't Stop Us Now.” Electronic music producer Martin Garrix contributed to the songwriting on “Glorify,” while Spanish singer Rosalía is credited on “The Mirror Maker.”
The album follows two six-track EPs released earlier in 2026, Days of Ash and Easter Lily, which were recorded during the same creative period.
CARNAVAL DE LUZ – COMPLETE TRACKLIST
1. Go (Carnaval de Luz)
2. La Reina
3. Street of Dreams
4. The Mirror Maker (Rosalía)
5. Superficiality
6. If the World Is at War We Better Not Be
7. Silencio
8. The Greatest Show on Earth
9. Glorify
10. Midnight Sunshine
11. Can't Stop Us Now
12. Torn (feat. Dolly Parton)
Carnaval de Luz arrives during U2's 50th anniversary year, marking five decades since Larry Mullen Jr. placed a notice seeking musicians at Dublin's Mount Temple Comprehensive School in September 1976. That advertisement led to the formation of the group with Bono, The Edge and Adam Clayton.
The album will be available in standard CD and vinyl editions, alongside limited-edition colored vinyl, deluxe CD and vinyl box sets, and digital formats.
Watch U2’s official “Silencio” music video, directed by Cliqua and filmed in Mexico City, below:
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
IMAGE CREDIT: Viviane Sassen.
