Legendary Irish rock band U2 has returned with a bold new musical statement, opening their surprise-released six-track EP Days of Ash with a powerful and provocative song titled “American Obituary.” The track pays tribute to Renée Nicole Good, a Minnesota mother of three whose fatal shooting by a federal agent during an ICE enforcement operation sparked national outcry and widespread protests earlier this year.
Released without prior announcement on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Days of Ash is U2’s first collection of original music since 2017’s Songs of Experience and finds the band returning to its roots as socially engaged commentators through rock music. “American Obituary” sits at the heart of the EP, combining grief, fury, and reflection as U2 confronts issues of state violence, injustice, and the human cost of political policies.
“American Obituary” tells the story of Good’s tragic death in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026, when she was shot by an agent from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a high-profile raid. The song’s lyrics directly reference key details of the incident, including the number of shots fired, the time and place, and Good’s identity as a devoted mother and community member. Bono’s lyrics weave in imagery and questions about justice, freedom, and national identity, sometimes quoting or invoking what were reported to be Good’s final words.
Bono described the track as both “a song of fury” and a song of grief, suggesting that the piece mourns not only Good herself but also what her death symbolizes about the state of American justice and how truth and power collide in the public arena. The band deliberately chose to lead the Days of Ash project with this song because of its emotional and political urgency.
The EP Days of Ash is framed as an immediate artistic response to present-day global and social crises. Alongside “American Obituary,” the six-track collection includes other songs and a poem inspired by real-world events and individuals whose lives were cut short by violence or oppression:
- “The Tears of Things” – Reflects on loss and despair.
- “Song of the Future” – Inspired by Iranian protester Sarina Esmailzadeh.
- “Wildpeace” – A musical setting of a poem by Yehuda Amichai.
- “One Life at a Time” – A tribute to Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen.
- “Yours Eternally” – Features collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Ukrainian musician-soldier Taras Topolia.
U2 chose to release the EP at a moment when they felt these stories “couldn’t wait” to be heard, contrasting the immediacy of current events with the longer production timelines of traditional albums. Bono has said that the songs are rooted in both defiance and dismay — an emotional reaction to the world’s turmoil and a call for attention to voices often drowned out by political noise.
Good’s family and partner have responded to the tribute with gratitude, emphasizing that the song celebrates her compassion, courage, and commitment to community. U2’s choice to open the EP with “American Obituary” underscores their long history of using music as a platform for human rights and social justice advocacy — from early classics to contemporary commentary.
At the same time, the track has drawn varied reactions online, with some applauding the band’s willingness to spotlight difficult issues and others debating the band’s political stance as outsiders commenting on U.S. domestic policy. Regardless of perspective, the release has sparked conversation, conversation about Good’s life, her death, and what “American Obituary” represents in the broader cultural moment.
Days of Ash marks U2’s most politically engaged release in years, and though it previews themes of urgency and protest, the band has indicated that a full-length album — likely with a more celebratory tone — is planned for late 2026. For now, “American Obituary” stands as a stark opening salvo — a tribute rooted in sorrow, anger, and human dignity that reflects both U2’s musical legacy and their ongoing commitment to addressing global and national issues through song.
