U2 are making a major return with Carnaval De Luz, their 16th studio album and their first album of new material in nine years. Set for release on November 13, 2026, through Island Records, the album arrives as the band celebrates its 50th year together. For Filipino listeners who have followed U2 across generations, the release carries added resonance because the Philippines became part of the band’s touring history when U2 brought The Joshua Tree Tour to Manila for the first time in 2019. The new 12-track album explores spirituality, friendship, freedom, and endurance—ideas that can resonate strongly with Filipino audiences through themes of faith, community, and perseverance. Produced by Jacknife Lee, Carnaval De Luz shows U2 continuing to explore new creative territory five decades into their career.
The album introduces a diverse collection of songs, including “Silencio,” “Street of Dreams,” “Glorify,” and “Midnight Sunshine.” “Silencio,” which is available now, brings a short burst of surf-punk energy, while its accompanying music video was filmed in Mexico City and directed by Mexican-American duo Cliqua. “Street of Dreams,” meanwhile, was the first song released from the album in July.
For Filipino fans accustomed to U2’s mix of big anthems and more reflective songs, Carnaval De Luz promises both experimental moments and more direct songwriting. That combination gives longtime listeners something familiar while introducing another side of the band’s sound.
Collaboration is also central to Carnaval De Luz, with contributions from Brian Eno, Martin Garrix, Daniel Lanois, and Dolly Parton. The closing song, “Torn,” features Parton in a duet with Bono and tells a story about broken family ties, giving the record a particularly personal conclusion. Themes surrounding family relationships may feel especially relatable in the Philippines, where family often plays a prominent role in everyday life and popular culture. The album also follows U2’s two six-track EPs released earlier in 2026, Days of Ash and Easter Lily, with the latter exploring friendship, loss, hope, and renewal. Taken together, these releases present a period in which U2 is reflecting on relationships, difficult times, and the possibility of moving forward.
Filipino fans will have 12 new songs to discover, beginning with “Go (Carnaval De Luz)” and ending with “Torn,” featuring Dolly Parton. Other tracks include “La Reina,” “The Mirror Maker (Rosalía),” “Superficiality,” and “If The World Is At War We Better Not Be.” The release also brings back memories of U2’s first-ever Philippine concert in 2019, when the band finally brought its live show to Manila. ALBUM PR – U2 – CARNAVAL DE LUZ… The record’s recurring ideas of faith, hope, relationships, and finding light during difficult periods give it themes that Filipino listeners can interpret through their own experiences. Carnaval De Luz will be available digitally as well as on standard CD and vinyl, alongside limited-edition deluxe and coloured vinyl releases, presenting music as a source of celebration and resilience even when the world around it feels uncertain.
