“la macchina da guerra” comincia a muoversi

The first U2 album since November 2004 received an exclusive first play in Dublin last night.

The Residence private members club on St Stephen’s Green in Dublin hosted a playback of the eagerly awaited album.

It has been the longest gap between releases in the band’s entire career.

Media and record company personnel gathered to hear ‘No Line on the Horizon’ in full in the club’s luxurious surroundings. The quartet’s 12th studio album will be released in Ireland on February 27, a full weekend before its worldwide release.

Sessions for the album were recorded in Fez, Morocco, before moving on to the band’s Dublin studio on Hanover Quay, New York‘s Platinum Sound and Olympic Studios inLondon.

The album will be available in five different formats, including vinyl, standard CD, a deluxe box set and a special edition with a limited 64-page magazine.

The lead single ‘Get On Your Boots’ will be available both as a digital download and on physical formats from February 13. The download, CD and 7in vinyl will all be priced at 99 cent, a first for a single release in this country.

The accompanying video for ‘Get On Your Boots’ will receive its world premiere exclusively here on www.independent.ie tomorrow at 4.55pm.

1 ‘No Line on the Horizon’

The opening title track kicks off with a crunchy, distorted guitar riff from the Edge.

2 ‘Magnificent’

Dancey electro flourishes introduce an atmospheric track with moody leanings.

3 ‘Moment of Surrender’

This particular moment of surrender sees a slowing down of the tempo and some delicate, bluesy guitar playing from the Edge.

4 ‘Unknown Caller’

More intricate guitar fretwork that builds into a mid-tempo rocker featuring an organ and one of the album’s lushest productions.

5 ‘I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight’

Chiming guitar intro, a rousing Bono falsetto and the lyric, “Every generation has a chance to change the world”.

6 ‘Get On Your Boots’

The belting single that shot straight to the top of the Irish airplay charts here stands as the halfway tune. The video will be premiered tomorrow on www.independent.ie from 4.55pm.

7 ‘Stand Up Comedy’

Grungy pop with strident drumming from Larry Mullen.

8 ‘Fez — Being Born’

On first listen, easily the album’s most adventurous and challenging track with ambient synthy hooks.

9 ‘White as Snow’

A stark, stripped back and striking tune with imploring vocals.

10 ‘Breathe’

Starts off with a trip-hop beat and cello playing before transforming into an all-out rocker.

11 ‘Cedars of Lebanon’

A reflective parting glass for album number 12, finishing on the line, “Choose your enemies carefully because they will define you”.

The album is now available to pre-order on iTunes.