U2’s Songs of Innocence Forget the hype: what about the music?

Amidst all the publicity around the U2 release, the actual songs were almost ignored. Ed Power has a proper listen

AMID the hype over U2’s new album, Songs Of Innocence, and the peculiar manner it was released — dispatched for free to 500m iTunes account — its merits could easily be overlooked. Which is a shame, as it marks a more than respectable return to form for the band — and is arguably their most complete LP since the ’90s.

Above all, Songs Of Innocence benefits from U2’s lurch toward a kitchen-sink production style. Every note and quaver is turtle-waxed within a centimetre of its existence; each tune announcing itself with confidence and aplomb. And though the album is bracingly lacking in subtly, the boisterousness will ensure you’ll listen. And after my first listen, I felt Songs of Innocence amounted to a spectacularly good day at the office for Bono and co. The dazzle does fade after repeated encounters — still, if you’ve received this record free via your laptop or iPhone, it is undoubtedly worth your time.