U2 are back with “Atomic City,” their first original new song in two years. Listen to the track below.
The Edge recently declared that he wanted U2 to lead a “resurgence of guitars” in pop music, and with “Atomic City,” he puts his money where his mouth is. The track — named after Las Vegas, where the band will soon perform a residency at the new Sphere — oscillates between staccato verses and a rollicking chorus as Bono sings, “Love is God and God is love/ And if your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough.” A gospel chorus and squalling horns even make an appearance before the guitarist takes a proper solo.
U2 shot a music video for “Atomic City” in its namesake metropolis. While on set, Bono told the fans who gathered to catch the taping that the song is “a rock ‘n’ roll 45 in the tradition of ’70s post-punk, Blondie, the Clash, some ’70s punk…” Check out the band’s take on the style below.
Both the song and video feature Larry Mullen Jr. on drums. However, Mullen won’t be joining the band for its Vegas residency as he takes time off to undergo and recuperate from surgery. In his place, Bono, The Edge, and Adam Clayton will be joined by drummer Bram van den Berg.
U2’s last proper album was 2017’s Songs of Experience, though they issued Songs of Surrender — a reimagining of 40 songs from their back catalog — earlier this year. The band will break in the new Sphere in Las Vegas with a live residency extending through December, and tickets are on sale now.
