U2 Releases New Easter-Themed EP 'Easter Lily'

The six-song set explores themes of friendship, loss, hope and renewal, according to the band.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:51pm

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An abstract close-up image of delicate, glittering Easter lily petals captured in dramatic studio lighting, conveying a sense of reverence and spiritual renewal.U2's new Easter-themed EP 'Easter Lily' explores themes of hope and renewal through a personal, reflective lens.Today in Detroit

U2 has released a new six-song EP called 'Easter Lily' for the Easter holiday weekend. The band says the reflective set of songs explores personal themes like friendship, loss, hope and renewal, in contrast to their previous EP 'Days of Ash' which was a response to 'chaotic times.' Bono noted the new EP was inspired by Patti Smith's 1978 album 'Easter' and the band's desire to create music that can 'meet the moment' during challenging times.

Why it matters

U2's new Easter-themed EP continues the band's recent trend of releasing shorter, more personal musical projects in between full-length album cycles. The EP provides insight into the band's creative process and mindset as they work towards a new full-length album meant to be played live, reflecting on themes of faith, relationships and finding hope during difficult periods.

The details

The 'Easter Lily' EP features six new songs from U2, following their 'Days of Ash' EP released in February. According to the band, while 'Days of Ash' was a response to 'chaotic times in the outside world,' the new 'Easter Lily' set explores more personal, reflective themes of 'friendship, loss, hope and ultimately, renewal.' Bono said the band was inspired by Patti Smith's 1978 album 'Easter' and wanted to create music that can 'meet the moment' and address questions about the state of relationships, faith and meaning during challenging times.

  • U2 released the 'Easter Lily' EP on April 3, 2026, ahead of the Easter holiday weekend.
  • The band's previous EP, 'Days of Ash,' was released in February 2026.

The players

Bono

The lead singer of U2, who released a statement about the band's new 'Easter Lily' EP and its personal, reflective themes.

U2

The iconic Irish rock band, known for hits like 'With or Without You' and 'One,' who have released a new six-song EP called 'Easter Lily' for the Easter holiday.

Patti Smith

The influential American singer-songwriter whose 1978 album 'Easter' served as an inspiration for U2's new EP, according to Bono.

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What they’re saying

“We still look to vivid rock 'n' roll as an act of resistance against all this awfulness on our small screens. These are for sure 'wilderness years' for so many of us looking at the mayhem out there in the world.”

— Bono, Lead Singer, U2

“It's a time that has our band digging deeper into our lives to find a wellspring of songs to try meet the moment... With Easter Lily, we ended up asking very personal questions like: Are our own relationships up to these challenging times? How hard do you fight for friendship? Can our faith survive the mangling of meaning that those algorithms love to reward? Is all religion rubbish and still ripping us apart…? Or are there answers to find in its crevices? Are there ceremonies, rituals, dances that we might be missing in our lives?”

— Bono, Lead Singer, U2

What’s next

U2 is continuing to work on a full-length album that is meant to be played live, building on the more personal and reflective themes explored in the 'Easter Lily' EP.

The takeaway

U2's new 'Easter Lily' EP showcases the band's desire to create music that can provide hope and meaning during challenging times, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and the work of influential artists like Patti Smith. The EP reflects U2's ongoing creative evolution as they work towards a new full-length album.