U2 are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 11th studio album, the eight-time Grammy-winning How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, by not only reissuing it, but releasing a "shadow album" compiling 10 previously unreleased tracks from the sessions for the 2004 LP.
Out digitally on November 22 and physically on November 29 as a Record Story Day Black Friday exclusive via Interscope Records, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb // How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb sees the band dig into the archives, with the 20th anniversary edition of the album also featuring the bonus track "Fast Cars." Both the reissue and its shadow will be avilable across numerous formats, including vinyl, CD and cassette.
"The sessions for How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb were such a creative period for the band, we were exploring so many song ideas in the studio," the Edge recalled in a statement. "We were inspired to revisit our early music influences, and it was a time of deep personal introspection for Bono who was attempting to process — dismantle — the death of his father."
"For this anniversary edition I went into my personal archive to see if there were any unreleased gems and I hit the jackpot," he continued. "We chose ten that really spoke to us. Although at the time we left these songs to one side, with the benefit of hindsight we recognize that our initial instincts about them being contenders for the album were right, we were onto something. What you're getting on this shadow album is that raw energy of discovery, the visceral impact of the music, a sonic narrative, a moment in time, the exploration and interaction of four musicians playing together in a room… this is the pure U2 drop."
You can preview the collection with "Country Mile" and shadow album opener "Picture of You (X+W)" below, where you'll also find the tracklist details for the pair.
How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb:
1. Picture of You (X+W)
2. Evidence of Life
3. Luckiest Man in the World
4. Treason
5. I Don't Wanna See You Smile
6. Country Mile
7. Happiness
8. Are We Gonna Wait Forever?
9. Theme from the Batman
10. All Because of You 2
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (20th Anniversary Edition):
1. Vertigo
2. Miracle Drug
3. Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own
4. Love and Peace or Else
5. City of Blinding Lights
6. All Because of You
7. A Man and a Woman
8. Crumbs from Your Table
9. One Step Closer
10. Original of the Species
11. Yahweh
12. Fast Cars
Pre-order How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb // How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb.