[Shaun]

At an Apple event held today in Cupertino, California, U2 both announced and released their new album, Songs of Innocence. (That's the cover, above.) The follow up to 2009's No Line on the Horizon is available for free, right now, for anyone who uses iTunes, iTunes Radio, or Beats Music. It will be an Apple exclusive until October 13, when it will receive a physical release. You can watch an ad for the album here.

At the Apple event, U2 performed the album's first track, "The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)". Watch video of that performance below. Apple's Tim Cook called this "the largest album release of all time."

The album was recorded in Dublin, Los Angeles, and New York, and was produced by Danger Mouse, as previously reported, as well as Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder, Declan Gaffney and Flood.

The physical release will come with a 24-page booklet, while a deluxe edition includes acoustic versions of the album's songs along with four bonus tracks: "Lucifer's Hands", "The Crystal Ballroom", "The Troubles" (Alternative version) and "Sleep Like a Baby Tonight" (Alternative Perspective Mix by Tchad Blake). The vinyl release will include an exclusive remix of "The Crystal Ballroom" by Tchad Blake.

Lykke Li guests on the song "The Troubles".

Songs of Innocence:

01 The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)
02 Every Breaking Wave
03 California (There Is No End To Love)
04 Song For Someone
05 Iris (Hold Me Close)
06 Volcano
07 Raised By Wolves
08 Cedarwood Road
09 Sleep Like A Baby Tonight
10 This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now
11 The Troubles.