Ed Sheeran has turned up on U2’s new EP, Days of Ash, joining Bono on the track Yours Eternally. The release landed Wednesday, and U2 also put out a companion entry in the band’s online magazine to mark the occasion.
In that magazine note, Bono describes Sheeran as a whirling dervish of a talent and says the two have gotten closer in recent years. He also mentions spending time with Sheeran’s wife, Cherry Seaborn, and points to her work as a committed climate activist.
Bono lays out how the duet came together, saying Sheeran liked the song and expressed support for Ukraine, but wanted to avoid being pulled into political arguments. Bono says he reassured him the collaboration would stay focused on the music, while acknowledging he may have been bluffing in the moment.
The piece also notes a late night writing session with Sheeran and his songwriting partner Johnny McDaid, with Bono teasing that more material came out of it, including ideas that lean toward Irish folk.