So, during this past week, we finally got some information on Songs of Experience. U2songs.com has been continuously blowing my mind this summer with their coverage of the ongoing saga of U2’s forthcoming album, and they dropped some new info yesterday that totally made my week. It seems that some European Amazon sites have posted pre-orders for several formats of Songs of Experience. These include a regular CD, a deluxe edition CD which will contain some bonus tracks that aren’t available on the regular edition, a regular vinyl release with the same track-listing as the regular CD, and a deluxe three record vinyl box-set that supposedly features some unique bonus tracks that aren’t even available on the deluxe CD. I have purchased the vinyl editions of the last few things that U2 has put out, and I expect that trend to continue with this release, but I’m really curious as to whether or not there will be a downloadable component with the records, such as there has been in the past. I have the ability to rip vinyl, but it is kind of a pain, and not a lot of people even have that capability, so I really hope that there is a download code included in each copy of the vinyl record sold so that I can load the new music, including the exclusive bonus tracks, onto my iPhone, which is how I listen to most of my music.

As information slowly becomes available about Songs of Experience, there are still a few key pieces of knowledge that are missing — such as an official release date. Everything I’m reading still says December first, but I’m not putting too much stock in that until I hear it from the band. There was a posting on Facebook this past week of a factory where the new album was apparently being printed, so it still seems safe to assume that Songs of Experience will be released this year, but the when of it all is still up in the air. Another key element that we’re  still missing an official track-listing. We’ve already heard several songs that will be on the album, such as “The Blackout,” “The Little Things That Give You Away,” and first single “You’re the Best Thing About Me,” and band members have mentioned several other song titles in interviews, like “Summer of Love,” “The Showman,” “American Soul,” and “Get Out of Your Own Way.” The last one of these is rumored to be the next single from Songs of Experience, as U2 were spotted filming a video for the track in Mexico earlier this month. I’m hearing that “Get Out of Your Own Way” might be released as soon as this coming Friday. Everyone that I’ve discussed this with seems to think that “Get Out of Your Own Way” is a great title, and I agree with that sentiment, so my interest is piqued — I’m really looking forward to being moved, emotionally and intellectually. If that moving discourse in an accessible, radio-friendly package, so much the better.

Right now we’re at a point where there are scant few details known about the new U2 album, but I expect that to change soon — maybe even in the next week, almost definitely in the next month. I’ve been impressed with the songcraft and the accessibility of everything I’ve heard from Songs of Experience so far, and I see no reason why that shouldn’t continue. After all, U2 has been impressing me for a long time now.