Zooropa was recorded during U2’s 1993 sessions and released in 1993.
The album grew out of recording work undertaken during the Zoo TV Tour. Rather than waiting for a completely separate project, U2 used downtime between tour dates to develop new material with producer Brian Eno and engineer Flood.
Released on 5 July 1993, Zooropa is more electronic and experimental than several of the band’s earlier records. Its songs include “Numb,” “Stay (Faraway, So Close!)” and “The First Time.” The album title combines “Zoo,” from Zoo TV, with “Europa.”
Because it followed Achtung Baby quickly, listeners sometimes describe Zooropa as a companion or continuation rather than a conventional standalone follow-up. It was nevertheless officially U2’s eighth studio album.