Photo: Wenn
U2 last night unveiled their new album Songs Of Innocence at Apple's event in Cupertino. The band's masterstroke is that it's accessible in half a billion iTunes accounts already.
Released at the end of Apple's presentation, it was a move so audacious that P. Diddy tweeted "U2 made history tonight." This is not the first time that a headline act as experimented with releasing music in this fashion: Jay-Z partnered with Samsung for the release of 'Magna Carta Holy Grail'.
Songs of Innocence was recorded in Dublin, London, New York and Los Angeles and is produced by Danger Mouse, along with Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder, Declan Gaffney and Flood. Lykke Li contributes guest vocals on The Troubles.
Watch the trailer for Songs Of Innocence Below
Watch U2 perform at the launch of the iPhone 6 and Apple Watch.
The song's first single 'The Miracle Of Joey Ramone' is a testament to some of the band's earliest musical influences. According to U2.com: "The 4 members of U2 went to see the Ramones playing in the state cinema in Dublin without thinking about how we were going to get in. we had no tickets and no money.. My best friend Guggi had a ticket and he snuck us through a side exit he pried open. The world stopped long enough for us to get on it. Even though we only saw half the show, it became one of the great nights of our life...."
The tracklisting is:
1. The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)
2. Every Breaking Wave
3. California (There Is No End To Love)
4. Song For Someone, Iris (Hold Me Close)
5. Volcano
6. Raised By Wolves
7. Cedarwood Road
8. Sleep Like A Baby Tonight
9. This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now
10. The Troubles.
The album will be released in its physical form on 13 October, including a deluxe, gatefold double album, contains an acoustic session of songs from the album and four additional tracks: 'Lucifer's Hands', 'The Crystal Ballroom' and alternative versions of 'The Troubles' and 'Sleep Like a Baby Tonight'.
As well as the new album, Apple also unveiled two new iPhones and the Apple Watch. A full review of Songs Of Innocence will be live on Gigwise.com shortly.
Below: Who could surprise release an album on iTunes next?
