Songs of Surrender
by U2
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 7 out of 20
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  1. Ricko
    Jun 15, 2023
    8
    "Songs of Surrender" is a meritable project in many ways. A refined and reflective take on some of the best songs written by the band over the last half century or so. SoS serves to show how great U2 were across the many creative peaks of their career. Ironically, more often than not, the versions on this album make this listener want to dig out the originals. It is doubtful whether this"Songs of Surrender" is a meritable project in many ways. A refined and reflective take on some of the best songs written by the band over the last half century or so. SoS serves to show how great U2 were across the many creative peaks of their career. Ironically, more often than not, the versions on this album make this listener want to dig out the originals. It is doubtful whether this album would have been made had the Covid19 pandemic not happened but that event that caused the world to stop in its tracks resulted in lots of bonus projects when artists were unable to tour. The minimalist production and stripping of Edge's guitar effects shows two things; firstly, just how straighforward U2's songwriting actually is and also how much of a pioneer he is with guitar tones. The backseat taken here by Larry and Adam highlights just how crucial they are to the bands sound. Their stock rises in their relative absence. It is Bono's vocals that take centre stage and steal the show. His voice is not what it was but it is somehow much more interesting now, especially in the context of this album. There are no bad songs here but very few versions match the energy or spirit of the originals. The versions of "Invisible", "Vertigo" and "Beautiful Day" come close. I'd also somewhat contoversially argue that the version of "Bad" on SoS is better than the original. The definitive versions of "Every Breaking Wave" and "Get Out of Your Own Way" can be found here too. A decent (if a bit of a long) listen for U2 fans. Unlikely to attract new fans. I would like to see the band take a similar approach to recording new material with more of an input from Larry and Adam.… Expand
  2. ekolite82
    Aug 13, 2023
    9
    Pretty underrated for the quality on hand here. Sound quality has high marks here. Followed by Bono’s weighty voice, which still sounds pretty good here. The band is stripped down, but suits the music well. The only thing I can criticize is the lack of variety most of the songs have the same feel. But it’s a great feel. I skip a few songs on here but most are great representationsPretty underrated for the quality on hand here. Sound quality has high marks here. Followed by Bono’s weighty voice, which still sounds pretty good here. The band is stripped down, but suits the music well. The only thing I can criticize is the lack of variety most of the songs have the same feel. But it’s a great feel. I skip a few songs on here but most are great representations of what made the originals so great. I am thinking about getting the deluxe box version of this on vinyl as it would be a nice escape from my daily life from time to time and the box is beautiful. Either way just stream it. Recommended for long time fans.… Expand
  3. thabass
    Mar 19, 2023
    10
    Was slightly worried when the singles were released, as it’s always hard to warm to new versions of such beloved and well known songs. But, this album as a whole has reinvigorated and improved upon so many of U2’s songs, both hits and deeps cuts. I know this is an album that’ll only grow on me even more as I listen. Thank you to U2 for the many years of music that means so much to me.
  4. Kpmod
    Mar 17, 2023
    8
    The deeper cuts are where this shines. A lot better than I was expecting. Best tracks are The Little Things that Give You Away, Stories for Boys, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, Dirty Day, Stay, Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own, Invisible and Every Breaking Wave. Their biggest songs - One, WOWY, Streets, ISHFWILF don’t fare as well but nothing too bad. I Will Follow is excellent. Overall anThe deeper cuts are where this shines. A lot better than I was expecting. Best tracks are The Little Things that Give You Away, Stories for Boys, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, Dirty Day, Stay, Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own, Invisible and Every Breaking Wave. Their biggest songs - One, WOWY, Streets, ISHFWILF don’t fare as well but nothing too bad. I Will Follow is excellent. Overall an interesting project with more hits than misses. Mid 8 for me.… Expand
  5. guilherme_soi
    Mar 19, 2023
    10
    Ótimo disco. Releituras de Dirty Day e Peace On Earth ficaram melhores até do que as versões originais.
  6. ayopos
    Mar 17, 2023
    6
    Un disco privo di graffi di lotta continua, un disco che poteva prendere come titolo unplugged, hanno tolto la verve alla nuova generazione distogliendola dalla merda della musica moderna. Da persona adulta, ho ancora bisogno di sentirmi vivo, non in un angolo a cercare di percepire ricordi.
  7. Ed1916
    Mar 17, 2023
    9
    U2 after all these years can still make an album that is well worth a listen. I understand it will not be to everyone's taste, and that's fine. However for those, who give the album a go, you might be pleasantly surprised. Most, will know most of the songs on the album, and the majority, work well. What the future holds for U2, then who knows. I guess it's just great to still have a properU2 after all these years can still make an album that is well worth a listen. I understand it will not be to everyone's taste, and that's fine. However for those, who give the album a go, you might be pleasantly surprised. Most, will know most of the songs on the album, and the majority, work well. What the future holds for U2, then who knows. I guess it's just great to still have a proper band around. And that certainly deserves credit.… Expand
  8. jamal500
    Apr 13, 2023
    1
    Behold: MTV Unplugged reimagined as a torture device. The folks over at Gitmo are getting creative! But U2 deserve an award of some kind. Not every band can turn their most exciting material into lifeless, mind-numbing gruel.
  9. BillyMate
    May 8, 2023
    2
    Unfunny joke. U2 for the last four albums, proves that just when you think it can't get any worse, they release something even worse than the previous album. Might be is right time to retirement

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Most Discussed Album of 2023

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. No Ripcord
    Mar 22, 2023
    50
    The biggest issue with Songs of Surrender is that U2 often fail to be malleable enough to truly stretch their wings and radically reshape these tracks. They too often, to their detriment, play it safe.
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  2. AllMusic
    Mar 21, 2023
    60
    U2 deliver smooth, polished performances that are handsome and, yes, intimate but not especially compelling. It's stylish background music that sounds a bit like it was designed to be heard in chain coffeehouses during the late 2000s.
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  3. Pitchfork
    Mar 21, 2023
    57
    Nothing here is unforgettable or in danger of replacing its original. The arrangements are formulaic, regressing back to the stripped-down candlelit era of the original MTV’s Unplugged. At worst, Songs of Surrender is an overindulgence. At best, it’s a pleasant interlude.
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