U2: Carnaval De Luz
U2's first album of new songs in nine years arrives in the band's 50th year. Twelve songs about spirituality, friendship, freedom and holding on, produced by Jacknife Lee and recorded all over the world.
Release countdown
Vinyl, CD and digital, Friday November 13.
Lent, Easter, then Carnival
Carnaval De Luz grew out of the same sessions as the two six-song EPs U2 surprise-released earlier in 2026. Days of Ash arrived on Ash Wednesday and Easter Lily at Easter. The band framed the three releases around the church calendar, and the album is the carnival that comes before them: loud, bright, a little messy, and full of life.
Edge has called it a "messy, provocative, sacred" record. Bono promised loud guitars and deep bass. With the EPs counted, U2 will have released 24 new songs in their 50th year.
The title means "Carnival of Light" in Spanish and Portuguese, and the album name now fronts the tour too: Carnaval De Luz presents: The Greatest Show On Earth.
"Torn" & Dolly Parton
The album closes with "Torn," a tender country song about broken family ties, sung by Bono and Dolly Parton. She wrote it with the band and Johnny McDaid, and Daniel Lanois plays pedal steel. Dolly died on August 25, 2026, and "Torn" is her last recorded vocal. It's a gift to have it, and a heavy one.
12 songs
Notes on singles and guests come from the band's announcement.
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01
Go (Carnaval De Luz) Title track. Brian Eno co-wrote and plays synths
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02
La Reina
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03
Street of Dreams First single, released July 2026
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04
The Mirror Maker Featuring Rosalía
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05
Superficiality
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06
If the World Is at War We Better Not Be
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07
Silencio Second single, out Sept 25, 2026 with a video shot in Mexico City
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08
The Greatest Show on Earth Tour title song. Eno co-write, video by Anton Corbijn
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09
Glorify Co-written with Martin Garrix
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10
Midnight Sunshine
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11
Can't Stop Us Now Brian Eno co-wrote and plays synths
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12
Torn Duet with Dolly Parton, her last recorded vocal. Daniel Lanois on pedal steel
Fan poll
Which song are you playing first on the 13th?
The singles so far
- Street of Dreams • July 2026
- Silencio • Sept 25, 2026, the band's 50th anniversary
- The Greatest Show on Earth • Oct 15, 2026, video by Anton Corbijn
Get the album & tour gear
Carnaval De Luz arrives November 13 on vinyl, CD and digital. These are affiliate links, so buying through them helps keep the site running.
Deluxe Edition
Carnaval De Luz is out in limited deluxe vinyl and CD boxsets. Check the listing for exact contents.
Collector Vinyl
Limited coloured and bespoke vinyl variants alongside the standard LP.
Tour Gear
Shirts and accessories for the 2027 tour and U2's 50th year.
Carnaval De Luz questions
Quick answers to what fans are searching for.
When does Carnaval De Luz come out?
Friday, November 13, 2026, on Interscope Records.
How many songs are on Carnaval De Luz?
Twelve. The album opens with the title track "Go (Carnaval De Luz)" and closes with "Torn," a duet with Dolly Parton.
Who produced the album?
Jacknife Lee, who has worked with U2 since How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. Brian Eno co-wrote and played synths on three songs, Martin Garrix co-wrote "Glorify" and Daniel Lanois plays pedal steel on "Torn."
Is Dolly Parton on the new U2 album?
Yes. "Torn" is a duet between Dolly Parton and Bono, written by U2, Parton and Johnny McDaid. It is her last recorded vocal; she died on August 25, 2026.
What were the singles?
"Street of Dreams" came out in July 2026, "Silencio" followed on September 25, and "The Greatest Show on Earth" arrived on October 15 alongside the tour announcement.
Is U2 touring the album?
Yes. The Carnaval De Luz presents: The Greatest Show On Earth World Tour opens in Mexico City on February 23, 2027, with 23 stadium dates confirmed so far.