"Songs of Experience" is the fourteenth studio album by Irish rock band U2, released on December 1, 2017. Produced by a diverse team including Jacknife Lee, Ryan Tedder, Steve Lillywhite, and others, the album serves as a companion piece to their previous record, "Songs of Innocence" (2014). While "Songs of Innocence" explored the band members' adolescence in 1970s Ireland, "Songs of Experience" delves into themes of introspection and personal reflection, framed as a collection of letters written by lead vocalist Bono to important people and places in his life.
The album features guest appearances from artists like Haim, Kendrick Lamar, and Lady Gaga, adding layers to its musical landscape. Initially conceived during the "Songs of Innocence" sessions and inspired by Bono's recovery from a serious bicycle accident in 2014, U2 began earnest work on "Songs of Experience" during their 2015 Innocence + Experience Tour. The album's production spanned into 2016, with the band members collaborating individually with producers while on tour.
In response to shifting global politics marked by events like Brexit and the 2016 US presidential election, U2 postponed the album's release to reassess its tone. During this period, Bono underwent open-heart surgery, influencing a significant rewrite of the album's lyrics to reflect both political themes and personal experiences. The album was finalized during the Joshua Tree Tour in 2017.
Promotion for "Songs of Experience" was more traditional compared to its predecessor's controversial iTunes release, featuring postal letters to fans and exclusive content on digital platforms. Despite mixed critical reception, the album debuted at number one in the US, solidifying U2 as the first group to top the Billboard chart in four consecutive decades. It also achieved commercial success globally, ranking as the sixth-best-selling album of 2017.
Supported by the Experience + Innocence Tour, "Songs of Experience" continued U2's legacy of blending rock with introspective themes and political commentary, reflecting both personal and global challenges faced by the band during its creation.
