Songs of Surrender
by
Songs of Surrender Image
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

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  • Summary: The latest release from Irish rock band U2 features acoustic or reimagined versions of 40 songs from its back catalogue.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Mar 17, 2023
    80
    Erasing the muscular power of an amplified rock combo, Edge explores ways to let other elements shine. In particular, the focus is on Bono’s older yet still powerful voice, devoid of posturing and mannerisms, really digging into meaning and melody. The subtle rumble of Adam Clayton’s bass and tastefully executed percussion from Larry Mullen Jr make themselves felt in all the right places, with full band arrangements breathing new life into a smattering of undernourished songs.
  2. Mojo
    Mar 14, 2023
    80
    If their creative missteps in the past two decades have generally been caused by their twin determinations to keep up with modern pop and relentlessly pursue music that works in stadia, then here they’ve cut themselves free from all of that. Ultimately, it may be a watershed moment. By stripping it all back down, in some ways, they’re bigger. [Apr 2023, p.84]
  3. Clash Music
    Mar 16, 2023
    80
    It’s a touching journey reflecting on how the four boys changed into men and changed the world through the power of music at the same time.
  4. The Guardian
    Mar 16, 2023
    60
    Neither a disaster on the level of their iTunes launch, nor a triumph to match Zoo TV, Songs of Surrender sits somewhere in the middle of that sliding scale of success.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 20, 2023
    60
    There is disappointment that a number of U2’s big-hitters don’t translate well on ‘Stories For Surrender’, but this revision hasn’t been a totally fruitless endeavour: you just have to dig a little bit deeper to find the reimagined material that’s truly worth savouring.
  6. 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.
  7. The Independent (UK)
    Mar 16, 2023
    40
    Ultimately this is an album of shadow versions that leave you yearning for originals.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. 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,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.… Expand
  2. guilherme_soi
    Mar 19, 2023
    10
    Ótimo disco. Releituras de Dirty Day e Peace On Earth ficaram melhores até do que as versões originais.
  4. 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'sU2 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
  5. 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 forThe 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
  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 generazioneUn 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.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Best Album of 2023
25
#25 Most Discussed Album of 2023

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