U2 pause progress on new songs while Larry Mullen Jr recovers
U2 bassist Adam Clayton has stated that the band’s progress on new material depends on the recovery of Larry Mullen Jr. The drummer has taken time out from U2 to undergo surgery.
While focusing on his recovery, Mullen has been absent from U2’s lengthy residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas, with Krezip’s drummer Bram van den Berg filling in for him instead. The residency marks the band’s first shows without Mullen in over four decades.
Now, Clayton has suggested that progression on any new U2 songs is “somewhat tied” to their drummer’s recovery. “Starting work on new songs is somewhat tied to Larry’s situation,” he told Mojo, “Could he commit to an album project? I don’t know.”
The comments follow Bono’s promise that their next offering will be an “unreasonable guitar record“, while Clayton promised rawness akin to Patti Smith and Iggy Pop.
“We are turning the amps on,” the bassist told Mojo prior to his comments about Mullen, “I certainly think the rock that we all grew up with as 16- and 17-year-olds, that rawness of those Patti Smith, Iggy Pop records… that kind of power is something we would love to connect back into.”
The band’s most recent full-length offering arrived earlier this year with Songs of Surrender, which comprised 40 re-recorded versions of classics like ‘Beautiful Day’ and ‘With or Without You’. The record also featured some impressive collaborations, including features from Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar.
Since then, the band released ‘Atomic City’ last month to promote their ongoing residency.
Listen to the track below.
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