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Pop

by U2

Released: March 03, 1997

Alternative rock, alternative dance

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Experimental Album.

The Album

"Pop" is the ninth studio album by Irish rock band U2, released in 1997. The album marked a departure from the band's previous sound, incorporating elements of electronic dance music, techno, and alternative rock. "Pop" explores themes of celebrity, consumerism, and the media.

Inside the Recording

It was produced by Flood, Howie B, and Steve Osborne.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The album's lead single, "Discothèque," reflects its dance-oriented…

The album's lead single, "Discothèque," reflects its dance-oriented direction.

The subsequent PopMart Tour, supporting the album, was…

The subsequent PopMart Tour, supporting the album, was one of the highest-grossing tours in history.

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Essential Tracks

Discothèque

The album's lead single, "Discothèque," reflects its dance-oriented direction.

Last Night On Earth

Other notable tracks include "Staring at the Sun," "Last Night on Earth," and "Please." While "Pop" received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its experimentation and others feeling it deviated too far from U2's roots, it has gained retrospective appreciation for its boldness and innovation.

Please

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U2 - Pop

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Reception

Despite initial commercial success, the album's unconventional approach marked a challenging period for U2, influencing their return to a more traditional sound in subsequent releases. Other notable tracks include "Staring at the Sun," "Last Night on Earth," and "Please." While "Pop" received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its experimentation and others feeling it deviated too far from U2's roots, it has gained retrospective appreciation for its boldness and innovation.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Pop" is the ninth studio album by Irish rock band U2, released in 1997. The album marked a departure from the band's previous sound, incorporating elements of electronic dance music, techno, and alternative rock. It was produced by Flood, Howie B, and Steve Osborne.

"Pop" explores themes of celebrity, consumerism, and the media. The album's lead single, "Discothèque," reflects its dance-oriented direction. Other notable tracks include "Staring at the Sun," "Last Night on Earth," and "Please."

While "Pop" received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its experimentation and others feeling it deviated too far from U2's roots, it has gained retrospective appreciation for its boldness and innovation. The subsequent PopMart Tour, supporting the album, was one of the highest-grossing tours in history. Despite initial commercial success, the album's unconventional approach marked a challenging period for U2, influencing their return to a more traditional sound in subsequent releases.