Into The Heart of U2 Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Easter Lily EP & Street of Dreams Single Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

Easter Lily marks U2's second surprise EP in the first few months of 2026 after almost 9 years without an album of original material. Where its predecessor, Days of Ash, looked outward commenting on the chaotic times of the present day, Easter Lily turns inward with more thoughtful songs emerging from a more personal and private place exploring the themes of friendship, loss, hope, and ultimately renewal. What does it all add up to? Their most unapologetic collection of songs of devotion since October and guess what? U2's best work in over 20 years. We'll also touch on the just released new single "Street of Dreams" from the still untitled new album due later this year.

Days of Ash EP May 08, 2026

Show notes

Let's be honest, we were all resigned there wasn't going to be a new U2 album until late 2026 or even 2027. But lo and behold, on the morning of February 18th, came the news of a new U2 EP called "Days of Ash" - six new songs Bono said that "couldn't wait; these songs were impatient to be out in the world. They are songs of defiance and dismay, of lamentation." We go deep on the two years since the residency at the Sphere ended up to the surprise release of this EP (and a brief mention of the other surprise EP "Easter Lily" which we'll get to next time) as the band continues to work on the full album coming later this year.

How to Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb (Shadow Album) Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

For the 20th Anniversary of "How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb," U2 remastered the original record and released a bevy of remixes as well as the entire Verigo Live from Chicago show from 2005, but the big ticket item was something they called "How to Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb" - a Shadow Album - of 10 songs that didn't make HTDAAB. The reaction to this Shadow Album has been resoundly positive - even the haters have been quiet about it. But is that because its been so long since U2 has released something that sounds so fresh and exciting? Or is it because these songs are so unadorned and, not so fussy...that it speaks to what's been missing and so frustrating about U2's output the last decade or so? From the critics to long time fans - and even Oasis' Noel Gallagher chimed in - they're all asking the same question: "Why the hell didn't these songs make it onto HTDAAB?" We take a deep dive into all that and even give our picks for the 12 songs that whould make a definitive HTDAAB.

Years of Surrender (2020-2024) Sep 27, 2024

Show notes

In our final episode (at least until a new U2 record surfaces), we cover everything from the beginning of the lockdown to the present: Bono's voiceover in the Sing 2 movie; U2's underwhelming single "Your Song Saved My Life"; Bono & Edge’s surprise appearance in a Ukraine subway station turned bomb shelter; Bono's book and book tour. Songs of Surrender; the Disney+ documentary: A Sort of Homecoming with David Letterman; U2 changing managers. The Sphere residency, the latest on Larry's illness, all the U2 projects in the pipeline; all the up to the minute news about the new album and tour & the just released 20th Anniversary "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" Deluxe Edition including the Shadow Album "How to Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb."

The Sphere (Bonus Episode!) Sep 02, 2024

Show notes

In this special bonus episode, we take a very deep dive into every aspect of U2 at the Sphere. From the deal James Dolan and MSG made to get U2, the ticket kerfuffle, the technological advancements the Sphere allowed, the sparse stage design, the setlist, the visual message of the show, and what this all means for U2 and, for that matter, the future of concert tours going forward. We've seen every tour, why not tune in to see where we think U2 landed this time?

Songs of Experience (Pt 2) Aug 23, 2024

Show notes

In our Part 2 on U2's 14th studio album, "Songs of Experience," we discuss the second half of the record which contains some of the band's finest and most unheralded songs of the latter part of their career; we go over the differences in the Innocence Tour and the Experience Tour; the band's resumption of the Joshua Tree Anniversary Tour which took them to the end of the decade; and speculate on what would have happened had Covid not hit.

Songs of Experience (Pt 1) Jul 26, 2024

Show notes

After the backlash to the controversial release of Songs of Innocence and its bevy of producers, U2 refocuses for its 14th studio album, Songs of Experience, with a Fall 2016 release date. At least that was the plan. In our part 1, we dive into the making of the record, the delays caused by Bono's brush with mortality and the seismic shift in global politics which convinced U2 to change the lyrics to better reflect the nexus of the times. We also cover the band's decision to do the Joshua Tree Anniversary Tour further delaying the release the record.

Songs of Innocence (Pt 2) Jun 21, 2024

Show notes

In our Pt 2 on U2's 13th album, Songs of Innocence, we discuss the more compelling 2nd half of the record; Bono's bike accident; the lasting impact of “Apple-Gate” on U2’s legacy & the innovative Barricage, the centerpiece of the i + e tour.

Songs of Innocence (Pt 1) Jun 02, 2024

Show notes

U2's 13th studio album, "Songs of Innocence," is an album released a full 5 1/2 years after the commercial and critical disappointment of "No Line on the Horizon" with a list of producers as long as a Beyonce album. To that long gestation period Bono said, "Rumor has it we haven't made a U2 album in the last five years. We have. We've made several. We just didn't release them because we were waiting for something that would be as good as the best we've ever done." But, once the album was released, it wasn't the music that everyone was talking about, but rather how it was released. Which is a shame because, while it may not be the experimental classic of Achtung Baby, it is wildly underrated containing some of the most personal songs of U2's career. The question is, will its virtues ever overshadow the controversy known as Apple-Gate.

No Line on the Horizon (Pt 2) May 13, 2024

Show notes

In our Part 2 on No Line on the Horizon, we pick things up with the three more pop oriented songs the band wrote after leaving Fez, Morocco. Did the band panic and go chasing a hit? If so, they chose a very unrepresentative first single in Get On Your Boots. Things get a lot more interesting on the final third of the record with some truly fresh material that probably should have been the centerpiece of the record. We also go through the marketing and promotion campaign that saw the band exerting its considerable muscle. Then we cover and uncover all the stories behind the 360 Tour.

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