U2 have released their new album 'Songs Of Innocence' and are giving it away for free.

The band announced the LP as it simultaneously became available to download via iTunes earlier today (September 9) in California, after performing its first single, 'The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)'. The album will be available through Apple alone until October 13.

Speaking to Rolling Stone about the surprise release, Bono commented: 'We wanted to make a very personal album. Let's try to figure out why we wanted to be in a band, the relationships around the band, our friendships, our lovers, our family. The whole album is first journeys — first journeys geographically, spiritually, sexually. And that's hard. But we went there. “