# U2 album announcement and 50th anniversary > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/u2-album-announcement-and-50th-anniversary > Updated: 2026-09-28T17:32:30.000Z. Sources: 211. Developments: 4. Irish rock band U2 has announced their sixteenth studio album, ‘Carnaval de Luz’, scheduled for release on November 13, 2026, via Island Records. This marks the band’s first studio album of new material in nine years, following 2017’s ‘Songs of Experience’. The project is part of a liturgical trilogy that includes the previously released EPs ‘Days of Ash’ and ‘Easter Lily’. Produced by Jacknife Lee, the 12-track album explores themes of spirituality, friendship, freedom, and resistance. The Edge has described the collection as ‘messy, provocative, sacred’. The rollout includes the singles ‘Silencio’, a surf-punk track, and ‘Street of Dreams’. Notable collaborations include a posthumous vocal duet with the late Dolly Parton on the track ‘Torn’, recorded shortly before her passing in August 2026. Other contributors include Brian Eno, Martin Garrix, Daniel Lanois, and Ryan Tedder. The album also features ‘The Mirror Maker (Rosalía)’, a track dedicated to the Spanish artist. Bono described Rosalía as an ‘extraordinary artist’, noting their shared interest in the ‘re-enchantment of the world’ through art. Bono clarified that the song was inspired by her album ‘Lux’ and that he sought approval from Rosalía via actress Penélope Cruz before finalizing the track to ensure he did not appear like a ‘stalker’ when reaching out. Jacknife Lee noted that the track featuring Rosalía underwent 196 iterations before completion. To celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary, they performed surprise pop-up concerts at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin, where drummer Larry Mullen Jr. originally posted a notice seeking musicians in 1976, and on Dublin’s Grafton Street. ## Claims - U2 was founded on September 25, 1976, in Artane, Dublin. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The band has sold approximately 170 million records worldwide. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The band has won 22 Grammy Awards. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The album 'The Joshua Tree' sold around 25 million copies. (corroborated by 5 sources) - 'With or Without You' is the band's best-selling single with approximately 3.36 million sales. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-28: U2 announces new album ‘Carnaval De Luz’ for November release U2 has announced their new album ‘Carnaval De Luz’, arriving November 13. The record features an homage to Rosalía and a posthumous duet with Dolly Parton. 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/u2-announces-new-studio-album-carnaval-de-luz-2 ### 2026-09-26: U2 announces new album ‘Carnaval De Luz’ for November release U2 has announced their first new studio album in nine years, ‘Carnaval De Luz’, set for release on November 13, 2026, featuring the final vocal performance of the late Dolly Parton. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/u2-to-release-new-album-carnaval-de-luz-in-november ### 2026-09-24: U2 marks 50 years with new album and surprise Dublin concerts U2 celebrates 50 years by announcing their first new album in nine years, ‘Carnaval De Luz’, featuring a final vocal recording from Dolly Parton and surprise concerts in Dublin. 151 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/u2-announces-new-album-carnaval-de-luz-and-single-silencio ### 2026-09-22: U2 announces new album ‘Carnaval De Luz’ and 50th anniversary U2 has announced their first new studio album in nine years, ‘Carnaval De Luz’, set for release on November 13, 2026, featuring a final duet with the late Dolly Parton. 39 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/u2-announce-new-album-carnaval-de-luz-featuring-dolly-parton --- Cite as: U2 album announcement and 50th anniversary. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/u2-album-announcement-and-50th-anniversary