It's difficult to escape U2 at the moment. Having recently celebrated 30 years since first forming the band as schoolboys with the ongoing Vertigo world tour, an autobiography, and the release of a best-of compilation album, plus two collaborative singles, the old warhorses show no sign of slowing down. And why should they when they still make great music?
The second of two new tracks from the U218 Singles album, Window in the Skies is a superior slice of power pop, once again given maximum impact by producer Rick Rubin. It may not bring anything new to the party, but with its instant appeal and irresistibly joyous chorus, the song will get you humming along whether you want to or not.
As the title suggests, the track has an upbeat message about opening up your horizons, of letting light and air into your life – in fact, it's an unabashedly romantic paean to love as the only true path of freedom: ‘You let me in your heart/And out of my head.' Bono's soaring vocals, backed by the harmonies of the rest of the band, capture well the feeling of release. A fine aspirational sentiment with which to begin the New Year.