"Easter Lily" - U2

EP

Track Listing:

Background Information

“Easter Lily” is the second EP released by U2 in 2026. The EP is produced by Jacknife Lee. It follows “Days of Ash“ which was released on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Like “Days of Ash“ the digital EP is accompanied by a new issue of Propaganda magazine, which features track information and liner notes. This is Volume 3, Issue 2.

  • The EP is available here in digital shops and on streaming.
  • Propaganda Volume 3, Issue 2 is available here via U2.Com.
  • Lyric Video Playlist

As we shared when we published our “Days of Ash“ entry, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day (excluding Sundays) countdown focused on prayer and fasting leading up to Easter. And in true U2 fashion, that meaning had double significance, with a second EP arriving on Good Friday to celebrate Easter.

The Easter Lily itself has ties to Ireland, and is a symbol to many of the 1916 Easter Rising and later conflicts leading to independence. The flower is worn during Easter as a symbol of remembrance and the purity of Christ.

The songs on the EP do have ties to Easter with titles such as “Easter Parade” and “Resurrection Song.” The EP consists of five songs and a sixth track described as a soundscape by Brian Eno, which U2 have completed with Jacknife Lee.

“Song for Hal” is a nod to longtime U2 collaborator, Hal Willner, an American music producer who worked with the band a number of times. Willner passed away in 2020 due to complications from the COVID-19 virus. We had a look at Willner’s work with U2 back at that time. The song features Edge on vocals. Willner would have turned 70 on Monday. “Scars” started life on a project Bono and The Edge were working on with Martin Garrix, which became something different, Edge shares Garrix may someday release his own version. “Resurrection Song” started life for “Songs of Experience” with Jacknife Lee, and the band has gone back to it. Edge shares, “Larry is playing some of the best drums he’s ever recorded on this track. He is on fire right now.”

“COEXIST (I Will Bless the Lord at all Times)” comes from two sources. “I will bless the Lord at all times” is the opening of Psalm 34, where David vows to continually praise God regardless of challenging times. Here it ends with a question. The “COEXIST” campaign and logo called for understanding across religious differences, and the symbols are familiar to U2 fans, as Bono wore the logo as part of the Vertigo tour. Edge calls this one “one of my favorite pieces of music we have made recently.”

Of the newest EP, Bono shares, “These are for sure ‘wilderness years’ for so many of us looking at the mayhem out there in the world. It’s a time that has our band digging deeper into our lives to find a wellspring of songs to try meet the moment… With ‘Easter Lily’ we ended up asking very personal questions like: Are our own relationships up to these challenging times? How hard do you fight for friendship? Can our faith survive the mangling of meaning that those algorithms love to reward? Is all religion rubbish and still ripping us apart…? Or are there answers to find in its crevices? Are there ceremonies, rituals, dances that we might be missing in our lives? From the rite of Spring to Easter and its promise of rebirth and renewal… Patti Smith’s album Easter gave me so much hope when it was released in 1978. I wasn’t yet 18. The title is a nod to her.”

The EP was released at midnight (Eastern) on April 3, 2026, which is Good Friday in all regions of the globe, except for Western North America where it was released while it was still April 2. The EP was available immediately along with the newest digital issue of Propaganda.

A new album is expected from the band this Fall, and like “Days of Ash”, the songs on this EP are not expected to be on that album. Bono shares, “We will attempt hoopla and fanfare at a later date to remind the rest of the world we exist but in the meantime… this is between you and us.”

Two programs will be carried on U2 X-Radio on SiriusXM to celebrate the new “Easter Lily” EP. Starting today, The Edge will host a track-by-track special to introduce the songs from “Easter Lily” to subscribers. On Sunday “An Easter Conversation with Bono & Richard Rohr” airs, described as “Bono sits down with Franciscan priest and writer on spirituality, Richard Rohr. Join them for a conversation full of religious reflection and hope, for Easter Sunday and beyond.” These shows will be repeated throughout the week that follows.

This entry is for a new release, and we will continue to update over the days to come. (First published: April 2, 2026; Last updated: April 11, 2026)

Liner Notes

Song for Hal
Music by U2. Lyrics by The Edge & Bono.
The Edge: Vocals and Guitar. Adam Clayton: Bass guitar. Larry Mullen Jr.: Drums. Jacknife Lee: Keyboards, programming, additional guitars and backing vocals.
Produced by Jacknife Lee. Engineered by Duncan Stewart. Mixed by Tom Elmhirst.

In A Life
Music by U2. Lyrics by Bono.
Bono: Vocals. The Edge: Guitar and vocals. Adam Clayton: Bass guitar. Larry Mullen Jr.: Drums. Jacknife Lee: Keyboards, programming and additional guitars.
Produced by Jacknife Lee. Engineered by Duncan Stewart. Mixed by Jacknife Lee.

Scars
Music by U2, Martijn Garritsen, John Martin Lindstrom and Michel Zitron. Lyrics by Bono and Simon Carmody.
Bono: Vocals. The Edge: Guitar and vocals. Adam Clayton: Bass Guitar. Larry Mullen Jr.: Drums. Jacknife Lee: Keyboards, programming and additional guitars.
Produced by Jacknife Lee. Engineered by Duncan Stewart. Mixed by Tom Elmhirst.

Resurrection Song
Music by U2. Lyrics by Bono.
Bono: Vocals. The Edge: Guitar and vocals. Adam Clayton: Bass guitar. Larry Mullen Jr.: Drums. Jacknife Lee: Keyboards, programming and additional guitars.
Produced by Jacknife Lee. Engineered by Duncan Stewart. Mixed by Tom Elmhirst.

Easter Parade
Music by U2. Lyrics by Bono.
Bono: Vocals. The Edge: Guitar, keyboards and vocals. Adam Clayton: Bass guitar. Larry Mullen Jr.: Drums. Jacknife Lee: Keyboards, programming and additional guitars.
Produced by Jacknife Lee. Engineered by Duncan Stewart. Mixed by Jacknife Lee.

COEXIST (I Will Bless the Lord at All Times?)
Music by Brian Eno and U2. Lyrics by Bono.
Bono: Vocals. Brian Eno: Keyboards. The Edge: Backing vocals. Jacknife Lee: Keyboards, programming and guitars.
Produced by Jacknife Lee. Engineered by Duncan Stewart. Mixed by Jacknife Lee.

All tracks mastered by Scott Sedillo, Bernie Grundman Mastering.

Artwork

Cover Photo: Anton Corbijn
Art Direction and Design: Shaughn McGrath Creative Director: Gavin Friday

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