After nine years without a full album of new material, U2 are back with Carnaval De Luz, their 16th studio album, arriving on November 13, 2026 through Island Records. It's a big comeback with a big guest list, including RosalÃa, Martin Garrix, Brian Eno, and the final recorded vocal performance of Dolly Parton. This guide walks through the full tracklist, what's confirmed about each song, and the story behind the record.
Heads up: the album isn't out yet, so this breakdown sticks to what the band, the label, and major music outlets have confirmed. Where nothing has been shared about a track beyond its title, I say so rather than guess. This post will be updated after release.
Carnaval De Luz at a Glance
- Release date: November 13, 2026
- Label: Island Records
- Producer: Jacknife Lee
- Length: 12 tracks
- Title meaning: "Carnival of Light" in Spanish and Portuguese
- Themes: spirituality, friendship, freedom, and endurance in the face of darker forces, according to the band's announcement
- Singles so far: "Street of Dreams" (July 7), "Silencio" (September 24), and "The Greatest Show on Earth" (October 15)
How This Album Came Together
It helps to know this isn't a standalone surprise. U2 released two six-track EPs earlier this year, Days of Ash in February and Easter Lily in April, both recorded during the same creative period as the album. Those EPs follow the liturgical calendar, while Carnaval De Luz sits earlier in the timeline. Counting all three releases, the band will have put out 24 new songs in 2026, the same year they mark their 50th anniversary as a band. The deluxe CD and LP editions include physical copies of both EPs.
Track-by-Track Breakdown
1. "Go (Carnaval De Luz)"
The title track opens the record. Brian Eno co-wrote it and contributed synthesizers, which hints at the atmospheric side of the band's sound that Eno has shaped on their records for decades.
2. "La Reina"
The title is Spanish for "The Queen." Beyond its place at track two, the band hasn't shared detailed background on this one yet.
3. "Street of Dreams"
The first single, released July 7, 2026, and the song that first signaled the album was on its way. Coverage describes it as exploring faith, hope, and endurance, which matches the broader themes of the record.
4. "The Mirror Maker" (featuring RosalÃa)
The Spanish artist RosalÃa is credited as a featured guest here, one of the album's headline collaborations and a natural fit given the record's Spanish-language title and Spanish-titled songs.
5. "Superficiality"
Only the title has been confirmed so far, and it's one of the tracks worth watching on release day.
6. "If the World Is at War We Better Not Be"
The longest title on the record. Listings show it as one of the shorter songs, but the band hasn't shared more about its background.
7. "Silencio"
The lead single, released September 24 alongside the album announcement. The title means "silence" in Spanish, and press coverage describes the sound as drawing on garage and punk rock influences, a punchier side of the band than casual fans might expect.
8. "The Greatest Show on Earth"
The third single, released October 15, and one of the longer tracks on the album according to track listings.
9. "Glorify"
Dutch DJ and producer Martin Garrix appears on this track, a notable crossover between a legacy rock band and one of electronic music's biggest names.
10. "Midnight Sunshine"
No details beyond the title have been released yet.
11. "Can't Stop Us Now"
Listed as one of the longest songs on the album, which suggests a big, slower-building closing stretch. Again, the band hasn't shared further background.
12. "Torn" (featuring Dolly Parton)
The closer is likely to be the most talked-about song on the album. It features what is reported to be the final recorded vocal performance of the late Dolly Parton, and it was co-written by U2, Parton, and Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol. The band's own description calls it a tender country song about broken family ties, with Daniel Lanois on pedal steel.
The Guests and Collaborators
- RosalÃa on "The Mirror Maker"
- Dolly Parton on "Torn," her final recorded vocal
- Martin Garrix on "Glorify"
- Brian Eno as co-writer and synth contributor on "Go (Carnaval De Luz)"
- Daniel Lanois on pedal steel for "Torn"
- Johnny McDaid as co-writer of "Torn"
- Ryan Tedder reported as lending production skills
Frequently Asked Questions
When does U2's Carnaval De Luz come out?
The album is released on Friday, November 13, 2026.
How many songs are on Carnaval De Luz?
The standard album has 12 tracks, opening with "Go (Carnaval De Luz)" and closing with "Torn."
Who produced the album?
Jacknife Lee, who has worked with the band on several recent records.
What does "Carnaval De Luz" mean?
It translates to "Carnival of Light" in Spanish and Portuguese.
Is this U2's first album in nine years?
Yes, it's their first album of new material since Songs of Experience in 2017, though the band also released the EPs Days of Ash and Easter Lily earlier in 2026.
Where to Listen and Read the Lyrics
Once the album is out, you can stream it on the major platforms. For the words themselves, the best place is the licensed lyrics shown alongside the songs on services like Apple Music and Spotify, or the artist's official pages, rather than copied lyric sites.
Tracklist and editions from U2's official store
U2, Carnaval De Luz, album breakdown, tracklist, new album 2026, album release
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