What does Songs of Experience sound like?

A reflective blend of anthemic rock and intimate balladry, underscored by themes of resilience and hope. Rooted in alternative rock and pop rock. Start with "Love Is All We Have Left".

Is Songs of Experience a good place to start with U2?

Yes, Songs of Experience is recommended as a starting point for new U2 listeners. A reflective blend of anthemic rock and intimate balladry, underscored by themes of resilience and hope. Released on January 1, 2017, 'Songs of Experience' is U2's fourteenth studio album and serves as a companion piece to their 2014 release 'Songs of Innocence'. At this point in their career, U2 was navigating a landscape marked by political uncertainty, infusing their music with personal and societal reflections while maintaining a commitment to their signature sound.

Who is Songs of Experience for?

Songs of Experience works well if you're into steady pacing with reflective themes, anthemic moments for sing-alongs and uplifting energy for daily motivation.

How many songs are on Songs of Experience?

Songs of Experience has 13 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

Songs of Experience

U2 · 2017

51 min · 13 tracks · alternative rock

A reflective blend of anthemic rock and intimate balladry, underscored by themes of resilience and hope.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Love Is All We Have Left Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
→
You're the Best Thing About Me — This track encapsulates the album's theme of love amidst chaos, featuring an infectious melody that balances vulnerability with an uplifting spirit.
→
Get Out of Your Own Way — With its driving beat and encouraging lyrics, this song serves as both a personal anthem and a call for collective action against self-doubt.
→
American Soul — A powerful commentary on American identity, this track juxtaposes celebration with critique, making it a standout reflection of the band's engagement with political themes.
→
Love Is Bigger Than Anything in Its Way — Thematically rich and expansive, this song embodies a message of hope and unity, reflecting the album's overarching narrative of overcoming adversity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album blends anthemic rock with reflective ballads, but lacks standout compositions and cohesion.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features more upbeat tracks, while the second half shifts to slower, more introspective songs.
The album closes with a gradual fade-out on '13 (There Is a Light)', creating a sense of resolution.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing with reflective themes
anthemic moments for sing-alongs
uplifting energy for daily motivation
gradual emotional build throughout
thoughtful lyrics for introspection

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
seek standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and exploration of themes relevant to U2's legacy.
Themes: American identity crisis· global unrest reflections· personal empowerment· transformative love
Career context: Released on January 1, 2017, 'Songs of Experience' is U2's fourteenth studio album and serves as a companion piece to their 2014 release 'Songs of Innocence'. At this point in their career, U2 was navigating a landscape marked by political uncertainty, infusing their music with personal and societal reflections while maintaining a commitment to their signature sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Coldplay· Radiohead· The Killers