Its been a seemingly impossible thirty-four years since U2 debut album ‘Boy’ hit our ears for the first time and its been a solid five years since we last heard Bono’s unmistakable voice via album ‘No Line On The Horizon’. U2 are now back with their surprise and somewhat controversial latest offering ‘Songs Of Innocence’.

“First impressions are the most important” – Heard that one before? Well I must admit that first time around this was an extremely disappointing listen. But having given it time and a few more listens the album speaks to the listener more and more on each play and it appears that ‘Songs Of Innocence’ may be a grower, not a shower.

The album begins with the rather deceiving opening riff of ‘The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)’, the crunch of the guitar hits you hard and draws you in straight from the off, only to seemingly fade off into nowhere. However, in all fairness you can discreetly follow the crunch throughout the song. ‘The Miracle’ seems as if it would decorate playlists at stations such as Key 103 of Capital rather than that of XFM. Whether or not it will, time will tell.

The genre in which U2 ultimately belong, even after thirty-four years, still remains uncertain. Are they rock? Rock as in the likes of the classics such as Led Zep, DC, G’N’R etc. Are they pop? I’d argue no (although that 1997 album may suggest otherwise). Out of curiosity I found myself on U2’s ‘Related Artist’ page on Spotify and struggled to see how The Rolling Stones were in that list, and even more so Pearl Jam. However Bryan Adams was on the list and I can definitely see why – It appears as if U2 have gone for a more ‘anthemic’ stance this time round.

By no means am I saying this is a bad album, because it is not. Sound-wise, its actually pretty decent – Bono’s voice is still a belter, that signature U2 sound still exists (come on, you know the one I mean), it has plenty of rhythm (found in songs such as ‘Volcano’) and it’s catchy; it undoubtedly has plenty of things going for it.

Songs such as already mentioned ‘Volcano’ and also ‘Raised By Wolves’ remind us of the rhythm U2 have maintained throughout so many years and also that unmistakable sound specific to the band. Other notable moments are ‘Song For Someone’ and ‘Iris (Hold Me Close)’ which both have that soft edge (no pun intended) to them, taking us back to the likes of ‘With Or Without You’, ‘One’ and ‘Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of’ and both leave you feeling warmed by Bono’s mellow vocals.

‘Songs Of Innocence’ may not carry the weight and attitude U2 have previously managed through songs such as ‘Desire’ and ‘Vertigo’ and it may not have the groove of the likes of ‘Get On Your Boots’ but it definitely does have some worth. Lets leave the argument over the invasive nature of its release for another day – in the meantime give it a listen, why not, it’s totally free …

James Cummins.

@CummyBear