New Song: U2 Release “Street Of Dreams” From Highly Anticipated (As Of Now Still Untitled) New LP

Editor’s Note: I inadvertently hit “publish” yesterday while I was trying to sketch out my initial thoughts about the framework/context of my review on U2’s new song. My apologies for the boneheaded publish/delete. If you got the two paragraph email version of those early sketched out ideas, sorry! Consider it a teaser! 

After releasing two outstanding EPs earlier this year – Days Of Ash and Easter Lily – U2 have released a brand new song, said to be the first single from their upcoming new album, which as of now does not have a title. I have to admit, the music on those two previous EPs was so strong it has really stoked my anticipation for this long rumored LP and the new song, “Street Of Dreams.”

And perhaps it’s that intense anticipation and the long gap since their last full album that are fueling my disappointment over “Street Of Dreams.” In these dark times, I think we all want, and indeed, need an epic U2 anthem to lead us out of the darkness. Sadly, for me, “Street Of Dreams” isn’t that song. It’s not terrible, but it’s not the great song that say, “American Obituary” was.

The new track, “Street Of Dreams,” first jumped on my radar a couple of weeks ago when U2 went down to Mexico and filmed the video. The video shoot was all over social media. In the video the band is standing on top of an artfully decorated bus, performing the song to an adoring street crowd.

It reminded me of when U2 were in KC in 1997 on the PopMart Tour and filmed a video downtown… they rented out a favorite bar of mine at the time for the wrap party on the video, Harry’s Bar & Tables, and the Edge purportedly stood on the roof of an old caboose parked in back and threw limes at Bono. I’ve always wondered how the bar managed to get the caboose out there, a remnant of a past era.

In terms of those two EPs, Days Of Ash was the more rocking of the two and it contained one of the best tracks they’ve done in years, the aforementioned “American Obituary.” Both the EPs were a complete surprise and I thought they were a stop gap, meaning the new album might get delayed to next year.

Hell, I’d have been happy if they’d released both EPs combined as the new album, they’re both that strong. They could have gone the route Rod Stewart used to go on his older Warner Brothers LPs from the 70s and have “fast” side and a “slow” side… A little throwback for the vinyl folks in the crowd.

I had to check my notes but it’s been 9 years since the last, proper U2 album, Songs Of Experience. Of course I don’t really count the rerecording/rerelease of previous material that was Songs Of Surrender, a companion piece to Bono’s book, whatever that was. Of course, Experience followed U2’s controversial 2014 album Songs Of Innocence that they automatically downloaded to everyone’s phone for free… not a great idea.

Both Songs Of Innocence and Songs Of Experience felt like U2 taking big swings, trying to make grand statements and at the same time being very self referential on those records, telling their “origin story.”

Unfortunately I think they strived a little too hard for currency – current relevance – on those records. A lot of synth and not enough Edge guitar for my tastes. Although, there are some great moments on both those albums, including “You’re The Best Thing About Me.”

U2 has meant so much to so many of us for so long we probably put an unfair amount of pressure on the band’s new music to be, well, transcendent. And at the same time U2 has seemed to strive for current popularity by cloaking their music in synths and autotune… they end up sounding like a more macho Coldplay.

I had hoped we’d see a return of the Edge’s guitar on “Street Of Dreams,” and we do hear more of that here. But the track starts with this highly autotuned vocal thing, like a prayer. I couldn’t help but think, gads, this will put a lot of people off. It’s not as ethereal as they probably thought it was going to be. Although I dig the Spanish they use.

Then we do get the Edge’s guitar. I must say Adam Clayton’s bass line is one of the best parts of the song. And Larry Mullen, Jr’s drumming is, as always, spot on. The lyrics of the track are almost chanted over Edge’s spidery guitar. The chorus still manages to soar, but sandwiched between the autotune vocal entry/exit and choppy verses, the tune doesn’t manage to lift off for me like I’d hoped.

The bridge, where Bono sings “Your dream needs you, Your life gonna find you, Your fear not gonna blind you, Random angels gonna guide you, To the street of dreams,” felt forced to me. It’s like all the parts we’d need for a stellar U2 song are here but they were put together slightly incorrectly.

Here’s a snippet of the song:

I’m still optimistic for the new album, likely fueled by those two EPs. And perhaps this, the first single will grow on me. They are certainly moving in the right direction.

The Edge has sounded more into playing actual guitar these days and I like his mini solo here. Admittedly it’s been a while since I’ve put on either Songs Of… albums. Maybe get Bono to turn off the autotune. The rhythm section is bedrock wonderful.

This is still a great, great band. They’re at their best when they’re at their most earnest and I get that vibe from this song, but not enough that I’m over the moon about it.

I’d heard they were going to pull it back as the first single for something more “rocking,” but they’ve charged ahead. They’ve been promising a more rock n roll record for a long time now… let’s hope they come through.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Cheers!