WWN Reviews U2’s New Release ‘Statement’

WHILE it may be a stretch to suggest a new U2 release is still a defining event of the musical year, this latest piece has been anticipated by many.

Our resident music critic Tony Drummond reviews the band’s new release ‘Statement’:

Unsure of what genre it belongs in, ‘Statement’ trundles on for what feels like an eternity but without a clear and defining sense of what it wants to be. It’s unsure of its own motivations, unable to justify its existence.

The band and its place in the current Zeitgeist seems unclear, and so this feels distinctly like it would have been a timely release in late 2023 for example, or even 5, 10, 20 years before then, but to release it now? It’s like the Bee Gees only embracing disco in the year 2000.

Bono, long admired for being an astute lyricist, gives the sense here of someone so afraid to embrace clear-eyed conviction, he sentences himself to a life on the fence.

Qualifying sentences are not the friend of anyone seeking to pen a single embraced by the masses as an anthem. Many talented artists have in recent years said much, much more, more powerfully with far fewer words and to greater effect.

On the surface ‘revulsion over the moral failures’ appears a good hook, but the subsequent verses tie themselves in knots.

The Edge, using the same effects pedal setting he stumbled upon circa 1991, plods along manfully.

Ultimately, it is an instantly forgettable entry into their oeuvre, however given their stature ‘Statement’ will be declared a hit after much replays on risk-adverse radio stations who abide by the same mind-numbing playlist which is specifically selected on the basis of how best to inure the masses.

1/5.

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