U2 Release New Album Carnaval De Luz Featuring Dolly Parton’s Final Recording

Today, we officially get to hear Carnaval De Luz, U2's 16th studio album and their first full-length collection of new songs in nine years. There's some wild things going on here, including a song they wrote about Rosalía called "The Mirror Maker (Rosalía)" (which also feels like a nod to Tyler, The Creator with the lyrics "In case of emergency, break the glass") and a contribution from the late icon Dolly Parton for the album's closer "Torn."Carnaval De Luz is a chaotic ride, but "Torn" is one of the more solid ventures here. It's a moving duet between Parton and Bono with patient drum hits and wavering synths. There's also some pedal steel, thank god. I wasn't planning on crying this early on a Friday, but there's a first time for everything. Lyrically, it could be an anti-war song, which unfortunately feels poignant in 2026."Hands that used to hold you clenched in fists/ Words that used to soothe you cut you into bits/ Are you your brother's keeper now? Or know what you're fighting for?/ Nothing hurts a mother more than a family at war," Parton sings during the third verse. The chorus repeats the sentiment: "Somebody loses either way/ And every heart is torn." "Torn" was co-written between U2, Dolly and Johnny McDaid. Parton recorded in Nashville in June this year, making this her final recorded vocal performance before her death. It was produced by Jacknife Lee and features U2's longtime collaborator Daniel Lanois on that pedal steel. A country version of "Torn" co-produced by Kent Wells is not on the album but is available to stream.U2 have been on a press tour this week in support of the album, including an NME interview that saw them praising Cameron Winter, Lambrini Girls, and Fontaines D.C. Last night, they were on Jimmy Kimmel and discussed themes of the album, as well as their collaboration with Parton. Initially they were working on a folk song called "Lifelong," which Bono described as a "slightly dizzy, drunken marriage song." But I guess it was "a little too Irish" for Parton. She then offered the beginnings of "Torn" and allowed U2 to have some free reign with it in hopes that it would turn into something more. The Edge added that she was game to partake in their "sci-fi country" journey.According to Bono, when they were recording the song, Parton wasn't aware of how ill she was. "It's her last prayer, in a way, was this song. It feels like a prayer. And I think it's for America. But I think it's for anywhere where there's divided politics. You know, people at the kitchen table this Thanksgiving will be fighting over politics and she has a line, 'nothing hurts a mother more than a family at war.' She didn't have kids or children. But especially, Americans, you are the children of Dolly Parton. And it's her prayer that you reach across the table and find common purpose." Listen to the album and watch interview clips below.Carnaval De Luz is out now on Island.