Carnaval de Luz is the sixteenth album from the legendary U2. Are the Emerald Isle quartet still the greatest show on Earth?

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH?

It has been a year of fruitful output for U2. Two surprise EP’s, a single with Martin Garrix, a contribution to a Shane MacGowan tribute compilation and three singles from their latest album, Carnaval de Luz.

The last couple of studio albums and the Songs of Surrender compilation were very reflective. They pondered the past and how their songs have changed both sonically and thematically. Whilst still having plenty of reflective moments, U2 have their gaze firmly on the future and moving forward and proving they are still the greatest show on Earth.

GO!

With longtime collaborators Jacknife Lee and Brian Eno onboard, as well as Ryan Tedder, U2 prick the ears immediately on Carnaval de Luz. The title track of the album opens things up in a swirl of pulsing electronics and tension. For longtime fans, this will evoke 90’s U2, and that is a good thing. When the maelstrom breaks, the chorus is incredibly catchy. This is sure to be a hit when the band play live; you can hear this opening a show.

La Reina follows and has a guitar opening akin to a repackaged Even Better Than The Real Thing. It’s a punchy romp that is indicative of Carnaval de Luz; the songs have a real bounce to them and they all have an immediacy. Over time, there will be extra layers as the onion is peeled, but it’s nice to be able to jump into these songs and get the immediate hit of light.

Welcome to tonight, a carnival of light
Illumination is the way to fight this
I’ve had it with the fear, can’t believe I made it here
Came to find the other people who feel like this

U2 – Go (Carnaval De Luz)

GOD, HEAR ME SHOUT

Street Of Dreams was the first release from Carnaval de Luz. On Zooropa, U2 espoused dreaming out loud; this song is the embodiment of that. The chorus and message is one of joy and light. Adam Clayton wraps the song in his warm bass and Bono and The Edge provide a joyous vocal that just begs to be sung loudly.

The Edge owns The Mirror Maker (Rosalia). His distinctive chime is the first thing you hear before he shatters everything with a fuzzed up crunch. U2 have traditionally looked to historical figures for inspiration (e.g. MLK, Nelson Mandela) however The Mirror Maker is about Spanish pop star Rosalía. This is a nod to that forward facing direction.

FREEDOM IS A FEELING

Superficiality continues the albums brisk pace with the band sounding superb. The Edge again gives it what for on the six string but some of the lyrical wordplay is a little clunky in parts. What is fun though, is Bono’s falsetto making an appearance – there is a touch of Lemon in the delivery.

If the World Is At War We Better Not Be rounds out side A of the album. It’s the first time that the pace slows a little with Bono going ‘full Bono’ in his lyrical pontificating. His vocals are put through the vocoder to match the musical motifs of the song.

On the whole, the pacing of Carnaval de Luz is excellent. Side A flies by and has plenty of standout moments, namely the brilliant opening track and The Edge’s guitar work. It is, however, side B that Carnaval de Luz really steps up.

IS IT ALL SHOW BUSINESS HERE?

As the second taster of the album, Silencio is a blistering stomper of a song that U2 are so adept at creating. At two and a half minutes, it blows the doors off on side B and shows that U2 still have the fire to rock hard. Larry Mullen Jr. and Adam Clayton keep a mid-tempo pace behind The Edge’s angry guitar and Bono’s brilliant vocal delivery. As Bono sings, the band ‘spit it fucking out!’

Before you know it, track eight of the album arrives. The Greatest Show On Earth is full of poignancy. Bono’s road weary voice moves from hushed tones to soaring splendour in glorious fashion. It is arguably one of his greatest vocal performances ever. The song builds a little like 2005’s number one single, Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own and is genuinely the U2 songbook in one song. Throw in an Anton Corbijn directed video and you get all the classic U2 touchstones. This is a song that is going to become a future classic for the band.

LET YOUR HEART BE FULL

As Carnaval de Luz reaches the final furlongs, Glorify is a paired back piece that could quite easily be transposed to a heavier arrangement for any dance floor. The vocal cadence that repeats throughout is a proper ear worm that makes for an incredibly catchy track.

Midnight Sunshine, like the albums opener, is another welcome sonic surprise. It feels like a leaf floating through the air. The lilting guitar flurries are simple and happy, and Bono sings with a real passion when the song builds. It is a quirky song that again reaches for the light.

Catastrophising is the glamorizing of the world’s pain
Don’t want to make a devil bigger, stop repeating his name

U2 – Midnight Sunshine

NOTHING CAN STOP US NOW

Can’t Stop Us Now is a vintage U2 and Brian Eno track. The dark brooding synth of the opening harkens to Bowie’s Low and the way the bass moves through the song, this is something that could sit on The Unforgettable Fire. It’s easily one of Adam Clayton’s finest moments; everything hangs from his elastic tone. Larry keeps an off kilter beat that shows that U2 still love straying from the easy path. Once again, the song is full or positivity and light. This is the kind of song that U2 would close out a show with, leaving that lingering feeling of joy in the air.

If the previous songs aren’t enough, one of the albums undoubted high points comes in the form of a devastating duet with the late, great, Dolly Parton, to close the album. On Torn, Dolly’s voice aches with a fragility whilst Bono acts as the vocal staff. Make no mistake though, Dolly delivers a powerhouse performance; a testament to her legendary legacy. U2 have been given a gift with this song and the band raise Dolly up beautifully. It could serve as weight around the neck having the privilege and honour of such a collaboration, but U2 are up to the job and they execute everything perfectly. As a final recorded performance and a parting shot, Dolly Parton shows why she is so beloved. Torn could well become one of the bands calling cards in the future. The only sad thing is that Dolly and U2 will never perform this brilliant song live.

ILLUMINATION IS THE WAY TO FIGHT THIS

The cover art of Carnaval de Luz sees U2 striding across the beach in an Abbey Road style. Beaches are wide open spaces and this is where U2 thrive. There is also a freedom in walking across the beach, leaving footprints in the sand and hearing the joyous rush of the waves.

It has been nine years since U2 gave us a new album. This year, fans of the band have been given 24 new songs. Where Days Of Ash and Easter Lily were reactions to the world and arrived without fanfare, Carnaval de Luz is full of hype and the feedback so far has been widely positive.

Naysayers will naysay about a new U2 album, as they always monotonously do. For anyone wanting to join the carnival, there is plenty to sing and dance about here, and all are welcome. Whilst there are plenty of poignant moments that make you sit up and think on Carnaval de Luz, this is a record choc full of immediate joy, hope, love and light. It is a record that our decrepit world can use as fuel to widen that crack that lets the light in.

2027 will see U2 embark on a huge stadium jaunt around the globe with Beck and Wolf Alice in tow in South America and Europe respectively. Rather than people going to the carnival, U2 are taking the carnival to the people. Will it be the greatest show on Earth? You better believe that U2 will bring something spectacular to the masses and it will be utterly glorious.

U2: Website

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