The New Album
"We're in the studio still," The Edge admits during that dressing-room interview when asked about U2's progress on the new album. The record was expected to be out last December; it is now tentatively set for release this summer. But the Edge will only confirm that "we really want the songs to be right. That's the only reason why we're not on tour – because we're so good at starting, not so good at finishing. That's always the way it's been."
The guitarist says the band has around 30 songs "that we're excited about, in various states of being finished." Of those, "six or seven are mixed and ready to go." There is "a common thread" too – "the period of music, in our lives and history, when we really came into being, turned on by music, the seeds that made us want to be in a band.
"The thing about U2 songs," The Edge continues, "is there is no set way they come into being. A couple of songs on the album have literally been like, 'We're all together, here's some chords, let's see what happens.' And suddenly, an hour later, there is a song, an arrangement and a recording. Other things, you know there is something great in there, how to make it really count.
"We're dogged," he says proudly. "Some people go, 'We tried it. It didn't work out. Next idea.' We don't abandon our songs if we really believe there is something there. We're going to keep pushing. We just don't give up."
The Edge gets up to leave. The band is flying back to Dublin right away – they have an album to finish. When asked, as he is about to go out the door, if the album has a title, The Edge replies, "Not yet. We have a few." He laughs "That's the problem."
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/blogs/alternate-take/u2-open-up-about-new-album-after-historic-rooftop-tonight-show-gig-20140218
Looks like we have to wait a bit longer for the new album then.
