U2's New Era
U2 Debuts 'Street of Dreams' First Single From Upcoming Album; Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. Returns
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Key Points
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The 'Street of Dreams' video was directed by Cliqua and shot atop a graffiti-painted school bus designed by Mexican artist Chavis Mármol, filmed in Mexico City near Plaza Santo Domingo during May as part of the Street Child World Cup Finals activity.
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The shoot drew a large crowd despite threatening weather; thunder and rain caused the generator to crash, and the band finished filming after taking shelter on a local family’s balcony.
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Street of Dreams was produced by Jacknife Lee, continuing U2’s collaboration with the producer known for work on projects like How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb and The Saints Are Coming.
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Larry Mullen Jr. discussed his health in context of the project, saying 'I ignored my symptoms over a few years and just pushed through. Turns out I’m not invincible,' underscoring his return to sessions after neck surgery.
U2 has released "Street of Dreams," the lead single from an upcoming untitled studio album — their first full-length collection of new material in nine years, since 2017's Songs of Experience. The track was produced by Jacknife Lee and arrives alongside a music video shot atop a graffiti-painted school bus in Mexico City, Billboard reports.
The album is expected later this year, timed to the band's 50th anniversary, according to Rolling Stone India. It follows two EPs — Days of Ash and Easter Lily — released earlier in 2025.
Mexico City Shoot Survived Storms and a Generator Crash
The music video was directed by Cliqua and filmed in May near Plaza Santo Domingo in Mexico City. It features Bono performing atop a school bus designed by Mexican artist Chavis Mármol, covered in graffiti and Spanish lyrics. The shoot coincided with the Street Child World Cup Finals, drawing a large crowd to the streets, according to Billboard.
The production hit trouble fast. Thunder rolled in, rain fell, and a generator crash halted filming. The band took shelter on a nearby family's balcony and finished the shoot from there, Yahoo reported. The setback added an unplanned but fitting rawness to the final video.
Jacknife Lee Returns as U2's Longtime Studio Partner
Jacknife Lee produced "Street of Dreams," continuing a long working relationship with the band. He previously produced tracks on How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb and The Saints Are Coming. Audio Ink Radio described the song as a modern U2 track that channels the band's classic anthemic sound while pointing toward a more ambitious album era.
Critics note the track is funky and soaring at the same time — a signal that the band is not playing it safe after nearly a decade away from full-length studio releases. Rolling Stone India called it a "joyous" return.
Larry Mullen Jr. Returns After Years of Health Struggles
Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. is back in the studio after undergoing neck surgery. He spoke candidly about his health, saying, "I ignored my symptoms over a few years and just pushed through. Turns out I'm not invincible." His return is a notable moment for the band's lineup, reported Billboard.
Mullen appears in the "Street of Dreams" video alongside Bono, The Edge, and Adam Clayton. His presence signals a full-band reunion for the album sessions — something fans had been waiting on since his surgery sidelined him from parts of the band's recent touring cycle, Brooklyn Vegan noted.
Album Due This Year, Marking a Nine-Year Gap Since Experience
The untitled studio album is expected to arrive in 2025, with some outlets pointing to a September window tied to the band's 50th anniversary. "Street of Dreams" is the first proper single, following the two EPs that served as early tastes of new material, according to Rolling Stone India.
The last U2 studio album, Songs of Experience, came out in December 2017. A nine-year gap is long by any standard. With a full lineup, a trusted producer, and a single already out, the band appears set to deliver what Audio Ink Radio called their "long awaited" return to the full album format.
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