Will Songs of Ascent ever be released by U2?

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Songs of Innocence

Songs of Experience

Songs of Surrender

But Songs of Ascent?

Not so far.

In February 2009, Bono announced that U2 would release an album by the end of the year, featuring unused material from the No Line on the Horizon sessions

He described it as "a more meditative album on the theme of pilgrimage." Tentatively titled Songs of Ascent, it was intended to be a sister release to No Line on the Horizon, akin to the relationship between Zooropa and Achtung Baby

By June 2009, Bono mentioned that although nine tracks had been completed, the album would only be released if its quality surpassed that of No Line on the Horizon

The band went so far as to announce that the first single would be "Every Breaking Wave."

And still, GNR took less time to release Chinese Democracy than this album.* 

Will Songs of Ascent ever be released by U2?

U2 drew inspiration from the concept of songs about the Psalms, embracing the idea to create a cohesive vision. They eventually combined the companion albums Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience in a relatively short period, especially by the band’s typical release standards.

During the world being disrupted by COVID-19, The Edge and Bono reworked over 40 songs for Songs of Surrender in early 2003. 

So will Songs of Ascent ever be released?

It's unlikely.  

Adam Clayton said, "We thought there was more material left over from No Line... we now feel a long way from that material".

* perhaps a slight exaggeration...

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