The story of U2's new album ends with the voice of someone who isn't here for it. Carnaval de Luz, the band's first full album of new songs in nine years, is out Nov. 13 on Island, and it closes with “Torn,” a duet with Dolly Parton that Pitchfork notes is her last-recorded vocal performance before her death at the end of August.
Bono told Rolling Stone he first approached Parton about a side project inspired by Irish folk music. She turned that down and offered something else.
She said, ‘I got this song. It’s called ‘Torn,’ and do you wanna see where you can take it somewhere else, maybe?’
Bono, to Rolling Stone, recalling Dolly Parton, Pitchfork
“When she got ill, she got out of her bed to sing this song,” Bono said. “And you can hear that. And I can’t even listen to it now.” Billboard describes “Torn,” which Parton wrote with the band and Snow Patrol's Johnny McDaid, as “a tender country song detailing broken family ties that holds wider resonances.” (Parton's presence also ran through the VMAs on Sept. 27, where Kacey Musgraves paid tribute and Taylor Swift dedicated her award to her; see our winners recap.)
A louder U2
The new single is “Silencio,” a concise, raging punk tune per Rolling Stone, with a video by the Mexican American duo Cliqua that puts the band in a near-empty dance hall in Mexico City. It follows July's “Street of Dreams,” which Cliqua also directed. The record is produced by Jacknife Lee, with Brian Eno co-writing three songs, Martin Garrix on a writing credit for “Glorify” and Ryan Tedder adding production to “Silencio.” The Edge says the Suicide-influenced opener, “Go (Carnaval de Luz),” is a deliberate shock.
It’s a statement of intent. Whatever you thought you were gonna hear when you put on the new U2 album, you were not expecting this.
The Edge, to Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone
Why now
The timing is the band's 50th year. U2 first played together in Larry Mullen Jr.'s kitchen on Sept. 25, 1976, 50 years ago this Friday, Rolling Stone points out. Mullen's return after a debilitating neck injury gave the sessions a charge: “I couldn’t play. I didn’t think I’d play again. So there was a renewed energy when we got into the studio.” Together with the surprise EPs Days of Ash and Easter Lily, released this year, the album adds up to 24 new songs, and producer Lee calls the output “unprecedented.”
Read more2hollis’ Pirouette: Release Date, Tracklist, Cover Art and Everything We Know
One track title has drawn attention: “The Mirror Maker (Rosalía),” which the band's spokesperson confirmed is inspired by the Spanish singer but doesn't feature her voice, Billboard notes in an editor's note. (Rosalía later responded to the tribute.)
What's next: the album on Nov. 13, and a full Rolling Stone cover story on the band is on the way, with Clayton calling it “the culmination of the work that everyone has been doing for 50 years.”
- Album
- Carnaval de Luz, Nov. 13, 2026 (Island)
- Producer
- Jacknife Lee
- Latest single
- “Silencio” (video by Cliqua)
- Closer
- “Torn” (feat. Dolly Parton)
Added to the High Grailed archive on October 12, 2026.
