U2 Release 16th Album, Rosalía Inspires, Dolly Parton Leaves Final Recording

Legendary rock group U2 have confirmed that their 16th studio album, Carnaval De Luz, will arrive on the music market on 13 November. The news also confirms a number of collaborations and special dedications, including to Latin singer Rosalía and the late country icon Dolly Parton.

According to a source cited by Consequence, Rosalía does not appear as a guest vocalist, but she is said to have inspired one of the tracks titled The Mirror Maker (Rosalía). This marks the first time U2 have explicitly embedded the name of a contemporary musician in one of their song titles, a move the Dublin band rarely makes.

Meanwhile, the only official collaborator on the album is Dolly Parton, who provides vocals on the song Torn. The recording became Parton's final work before she died in August. Producer Garret “Jacknife” Lee revealed that Parton had listened to the final mix and was satisfied with her vocals. “She was very happy and proud of her performance,” Lee said.

Bono, U2's vocalist, admitted in an interview with Rolling Stone that he has not been able to listen to Torn because it is too emotional. He recalled how Parton still forced herself out of bed to record the song as her health declined. “She sang her heart out, and I can't believe that is the voice of an 80-year-old woman,” Bono said.

“When she was sick, she got out of bed to sing this song. And you can hear it. I can't even listen to it now.” — Bono

Bono also revealed that he had initially discussed a folk-leaning project with Parton, but Parton instead offered Torn, a song she wrote herself. “She said, ‘That's too Irish for me.’ But then she offered, ‘I have a song called Torn. Maybe you could take it in another direction?’” Bono recalled. The experience of working with Parton in the final months of her life left a deep impression on Bono. “It's very moving to have that closeness with someone that big. The fact that she's no longer here, except through her songs, is very sobering,” he said.

In an official statement about the album, Bono promised “loud guitars, deep bass” and “silver tears,” describing the project as an energetic, surreal journey through imagination, creativity, and darkness. The combination of a dedication to Rosalía and a final tribute to Dolly Parton shows that Carnaval De Luz is not just an ordinary album, but something like an emotional journal of U2's creative journey in the twilight of their career.

For music fans in Indonesia, the album's release is worth anticipating not only because of U2's big name, but also because of the presence of Rosalía, who in recent years has become a global pop icon with major influence in Latin and mainstream music. Collaborations or dedications like this often open the way for non-English musicians to gain wider attention, including in the Southeast Asian market. In addition, the story behind the song Torn highlights the importance of the musical legacy of legends like Parton, whose work remains relevant across generations.

With the release date drawing closer, the question is how fans will receive U2's musical direction this time, especially after hearing the single Silencio. Will Carnaval De Luz become one of their most personal works, or will it mark a new, more experimental chapter? What is clear is that the album will bear witness to a meeting of two worlds: Rosalía's youthful spirit and Dolly Parton's enduring legacy.