NO, ROSALÍA IS NOT ON U2'S NEW ALBUM — BUT SHE INSPIRED "THE MIRROR MAKER"

Sorry, Rosalía fans — the Spanish superstar does not actually appear on U2's new album, despite what the tracklist suggests. "The Mirror Maker (Rosalía)" is a song about her, not with her.

Image: MTV International via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

Key facts

• U2's 16th studio album, Carnaval De Luz, is due November 13, 2026 — their first full album of new material since 2017.
• Track 4 is titled "The Mirror Maker (Rosalía)", which led some fans to assume Rosalía features on it.
• A source confirmed to Consequence of Sound that Rosalía does NOT sing on the recording: "Rosalía inspired the song. She's not on it."
• Bono told Rolling Stone he reached out through mutual friend Penélope Cruz to contact Rosalía. They exchanged encouraging texts but have not met in person, and he secured her blessing. The band decided it would be odd for an artist to perform on a song named for them — the track reportedly opens with Bono imitating her soprano.
• Bono said he was captivated by Rosalía's 2025 album Lux, noting its themes and title overlapped with U2's own ideas — "lux" and "luz" both mean "light".
• "The Mirror Maker" dates back to a 2017 Edge demo titled "Kuti Rocker"; producer Jacknife Lee said the album cut is the song's 196th iteration.
• The album's closing track, "Torn (Feat. Dolly Parton)", is described as featuring Dolly Parton's final recorded vocal.

Verified quotes

"Rosalía inspired the song. She's not on it." — a source to Consequence of Sound

"We normally just write songs about people in jail or dead people... This is just celebrating somebody just because they're an extraordinary artist." — Bono to Rolling Stone

Frequently asked questions

Does Rosalía sing on U2's "The Mirror Maker"?
No. U2 confirmed she does not perform on the track; it is an ode to her.

When does U2's Carnaval De Luz come out?
November 13, 2026.

How did Bono contact Rosalía?
Through mutual friend Penélope Cruz; they exchanged texts but have never met in person.

What is the connection to Rosalía's "Lux" album?
Bono was captivated by her 2025 album Lux; both "lux" and "luz" mean light, overlapping with the album's themes.