Which U2 album is their second studio release?

October is U2's second studio album. Released by Island Records on 12 October 1981, it followed the band's debut, Boy, and preceded War in 1983.

The album was produced by Steve Lillywhite, who also worked on Boy. Its songs reflect the strong religious and spiritual concerns shared at the time by Bono, The Edge, and Larry Mullen Jr., who were involved with the Shalom Fellowship. Tracks such as “Gloria,” “Tomorrow,” and “With a Shout (Jerusalem)” give the record a notably devotional character.

October was recorded under unusual pressure after Bono lost a briefcase containing lyrics and musical ideas during U2's 1981 American tour. The band had to complete songs quickly, sometimes with lyrics improvised in the studio. Despite mixed reviews and limited radio play, the album helped establish U2's early identity and was remastered in 2008.

A common mix-up is confusing October with War, which was U2's third studio album, or with Boy, the 1980 debut.