U2’s first new effort in more than four years leaves the impression that it could have worked better as two distinct EPs. Still, the good news is that it deftly one-ups the band’s previous nought-era albums. Just how good are these ‘EP’s, though?

Highlight track: “Stand Up Comedy”
Subpar track: “Unknown Caller”
Overall rating: 7/10

‘EP’ the first explores already familiar strengths in Bono’s soaring, anthemic soprano, The Edge’s pithy guitar flourishes and the Lanois-Eno-Lillywhite production trio’s sombre, icy ambience. The end results meander between the chillingly elegiac (“Unknown Caller,” “Magnificent”) or pop-fluffy wasteful (“I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight”).

‘EP’ the second finds Bono et. al. taking greater risks to be funky yet self-effacing (“Stand Up Comedy”), rocking yet bizarre (“Breathe”) and mournful yet engaging (“Cedars of Lebanon”).

No Line on the Horizon is an arty effort that easily upstages U2’s previous pair of mid-’80s rehashes. But had the high-energy rock-tronic fuzz of “Get on Your Boots” and the remaining second half kicked off the proceedings, the Irish rockers’ 12th album would have truly heralded a kick-ass return.