Overview: Depeche Mode face down the abyss in ‘Memento Mori’ – Leisure Information

Photograph: The Canadian Press

This cowl picture launched by Columbia Information exhibits “Memento Mori” by Depeche Mode. (Columbia Information by way of AP)

“Memento Mori” by Depeche Mode (Columbia Information) After which there have been solely two. Depeche Mode have all the time been a style unto itself: a vibe, a kind of suggestions loop that’s timeless but nostalgic, darkish, edgy, somewhat too darkish typically however all the time so cool. Their fifteenth studio album titled “Memento Mori” (Latin for “keep in mind you’ll die”) feels each like a tribute to founding member and keyboardist Andy Fletcher who died in Could 2022 and left them a duo (Dave Gahan and Martin Gore) and a mission assertion of their music.

The 12 tracks are absolutely Depeche, absolutely intoxicating in sound, artistically evocative and typically puzzling (just like the compelling however unusual “Caroline’s Monkey”). The music is staring lovingly into the abyss and asking it to find it irresistible again; loss of life is all the time hovering on the periphery of the sound, a grunge, industrial, wet sound additionally crammed with a wierd kindness.

“Soul with Me” is an unbelievable ballad the place Gahan’s voice modifications to an unrecognizable pitch, whereas “Earlier than We Drown” is an electro horny tune, whereas “My Cosmos Is Mine” has a dramatic tempo to it that works. “Ghost Once more” hooks you with its deep fry bass and “Individuals are Good” engages the aural with an uncommon vibrato.

Depeche Mode could be dealing with their very own mortality however their energy as musicians stretches into infinity.