New Music Revue: U2’s Songs of Innocence doesn’t quite feel right

Arts October 1, 2014
Tiffany Storry, contributing writer

U2

U2
Songs of Innocence
(Island)
2/5

If you use an Apple product, you may already own U2’s new album, even if you don’t realize it (check your iTunes!).

This is the 13th album by the rock band, but it doesn’t have the same classic rock quality as their past albums. Songs of Innocence is an attempt at modernization while also trying to stay true to their roots; however, it just doesn’t mix right.

This album sounds more personal than their recent records, with many of the songs dealing with their families and childhoods, but it just feels like a mashup of their previous work and the styles of bands like Coldplay and Keane. The album’s message gets lost in the overproduced vocals on certain songs.

Overall, the album wasn’t great, but there are a few songs, such as “Sleep Like a Baby Tonight,” that got me tapping my feet along. But even those weren’t enough to change my mind on the album in its entirety.