U2 are poised to announce a new partnership with Apple, involving the release of their new album, the New York Times reports.
According to anonymous sources, the band will appear at the launch of the iPhone 6: “In addition to performing, the band will reveal an integration with Apple’s products that is connected to its next album.” While representatives for the band wouldn’t comment, it’s believed it could be some kind of new spin on the album format – perhaps similar to the app releases by Bjork and Lady Gaga, or the sensational ‘video album’ released on iTunes by Beyonce.
The band have long had a relationship with Apple, releasing a special edition iPod in 2006 featuring their signatures, as well as iPods linked to the Bono-fronted Aids charity Red. Their former producer Jimmy Iovine recently joined the Apple fold after the company bought Beats Electronics, the headphones and music streaming empire he set up with Dr Dre.
U2 have drip-fed new material over the last year – their song Ordinary Love, recorded for Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, was nominated for an Oscar, and was followed by Invisible, a single that could feature on the new album.
In an interview with Zane Lowe earlier in the year, Bono said the album had traces of the Ramones and Kraftwerk, and that it was somewhat borne out of self doubt: “We were trying to figure out, ‘Why would anyone want another U2 album?’ ... We felt like we were on the verge of irrelevance.”
The album has been produced by Danger Mouse, feted for his duos Gnarls Barkley and Broken Bells as well as work with Jack White and the Black Keys. “It sounded amazing, very, very big and powerful sounding,” U2’s previous producer Daniel Lanois has been quoted as saying. “Some of it was adventurous. There were shades of Achtung Baby.”
In March, Billboard “confirmed with multiple sources” that the album was being pushed to 2015, and would feature additional recording sessions with Adele producer Paul Epworth and power balladeer Ryan Tedder.
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