U2 is currently figuring out their next chapter, after the band wrapped a historic residency and scored a new hit single only a few months ago. As they plot what’s coming up, the Irish rockers have been quietly—very quietly—dropping EPs and single collections on streaming sites.
Throughout 2024, U2 has released at least six short collections. None of the EPs and singles have made much of an impact, but fans of the group are surely thrilled to hear more from the outfit, even if they’re already familiar with the music.
It doesn’t appear that many of the songs, if any, released by U2 this year are new. There are some remixes that may be unknown to most followers of the Grammy winners, but for the most part, these drops don’t appear to be focused on pushing new singles or projects. Instead, they may be a way to re-engage fans and get them to continue to listen to older material.
The rollout began in April with an EP based around the hit “Discothèque,” which was originally released in 1997. The set features the song, as well as more than half a dozen remixes. The collection also includes the original B-side, “Holy Joe.”
Later that month, U2 shared a similar effort connected to the track “Staring at the Sun.” That project includes three versions of that cut, as well as two other songs: “North and South of the River” and “Your Blue Room.”
The “If God Will Send His Angels” single collection was released by U2 on the last day of May. That EP came with the single edition of that title, as well as a remix of the same title. Also featured are “Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad,” “Slow Dancing,” and “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” with some being remixes and others being live renditions.
A more traditional remix EP of “Mofo” marks U2’s latest project. The set includes five versions of that track, with no other titles present. The “Mofo” short album was uploaded to Spotify on June 14.
U2 may be planning on more of these fan service releases, and their following is sure to be interested to hear the remixes, live recordings, and especially the originals they know so well. They have plenty of material to work with, and what must be an endless stream of concert takes and danceable reworkings, and these drops may be the best way to tide some die-hard lovers of the band over until they have new songs to share.
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