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Can U2 still cut it? Maybe...

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U2 are 33 years old now, and have spent more than half of that time as the biggest band in the world.

But you'd have to look back as far as 1991's reinvention on Achtung Baby for their last truly classic album.

So the return of that record's production dream team of Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois (they also have co-writing credits on over half the songs here) with globe-spanning sessions in Africa leave for heavy expectation and intrigue, even by Bono-sized standards.

Bono himself hasn't helped matters by declaring that if this album "isn't our best, we're irrelevant". That may come back to bite him but after two albums reclaiming their signature stadium-friendly sound from the young pretenders snapping at their heels.

So, is No Line On The Horizon the crowning pay-off we've been waiting for?

Here's MusicRadar's thoughts on hearing the album.

U2 – No Line On The Horizon: track-by-track

1. No Line On The Horizon

If this is going to be an experimental affair, there's little sign of it here on this very direct rock song. Some of you may already have heard a leaked version of this title track, but the album take is slower to build into the groove. It's a promising enough start, a rocker reminiscent of '90s U2 (1997's Pop needed more songs of this calibre, that's for sure) with Bono sounding surprisingly youthful in his higher register with some trademark "Oohs".

The Edge keeps it simple with a memorable lead guitar line on the chorus, while Adam Clayton lays down a heavy groove. The Eno/Lanois touch is already in evidence with subtle ambience that works with the song rather than sounding conspicuous.

2. Magnificent

Even on first listen, Magnificent is an addictive U2 song. New Year's Day meets Zooropa?

We were waiting for this track - rumour says it is indeed magnificent. After some brief Eno ambience (many of the tracks kick in this way) it arrives in style. Yes, it's that trademark Edge crystal chiming delay and it still sounds thrilling after all these years.

As soon as Edge's riff kicks in it's obvious this is going to be an anthem for stadiums. Bono is in his element on the chorus singing, "Only love can leave such a mark". There's a majestic, driving feel to this song that gives it a sublime flow with Eno and Lanois' sonic trickery swirling around the band.

The Edge's solo is less-is-more, so no surprises there, but fans will notice the build into the chorus seems to be lifted from Pride (In The Name Of Love). Even on first listen this is an addictive U2 song. New Year's Day meets Zooropa? Perhaps...