A throw back to the eighties with new album images offers a rare view into Larry’s shy world. U2 say the album cover reflects "the new songs and their inspiration in the early years of U2 as teenagers in Dublin."
According to a statement on U2.com, the artwork by British fashion photographer and film director Glen Luchford, "resonates with the band's iconic 1980 debut album Boy - and the album War, three years later."
Both of those albums featured the face of Peter Rowen, the younger brother of Guggi, Bono's childhood friend growing up on Cedarwood Road in Dublin.
Their music has always been about community, family, faith and friends this new project reflects a very intimate side that should stand on its own. Bono said, “With this record we were looking for the raw, naked and personal, to strip everything back” and the images on the album reflect the innocence and the unique relationship of a parent and child.
The photo shoot with Larry and his son was really an experiment however; everyone loved it because of its visual metaphor and thought this was a prefect image to use on the album.
"If you know the album, you will see the themes in the visual language, how 'holding on to your own innocence is a lot harder than holding on to someone else's" said Bono.
The release date has been set for October13th and will be available in three formats, with exclusive bonus material including two new studio tracks, two alternative versions, and a 6-song acoustic session.