British electronic icons Depeche Mode are set to return with a new album slated for a March 2013 release, reports Pitchfork. Following on from 2009’s Sounds of the Universe, the record will be the band’s thirteenth studio album, and their first release through Columbia Records.
While the release window has been confirmed, other information regarding the album is sparse, with no track listing, artwork or even title confirmed as of yet.
Instead the band has released an in studio collage to accompany the announcement. The video contains footage of the group working on the new album amongst a clutter of electronic equipment, wires, and lyrical scrapbooks, set to an untitled new track, which one could assume to be a cut from their upcoming LP.
The track is classic Depeche Mode; an array of electronic effects decorate the soulful swagger of the track’s extended intro, before kicking into overdrive with a vicious stomp that drives the latter half of the song.
In frontman Dave Gahan’s own words, the album will have a “very organic and direct feel to it.”“It’s not a blues record but it definitely has a soulful vibe”
– Dave Gahan
“It’s not a blues record but it definitely has a soulful vibe,” Gahan maintained in a statement through the band’s website, explaining, “during the recording process, we really tried to get the elements of performing and the live show into the album more.”
Founding member and primary songwriter Martin Fore elaborated, revealing: “The music has a similar vibe to Violator and Songs Of Faith And Devotion and I think the songs on the album are among some of the very best we’ve done.” A gutsy proclamation considering the group’s 30 year history, yet the strength of their untitled new track gives grounding to this statement.
Interestingly, as prolific music blogger Alan Cross points out, Depeche Mode have ended up at Columbia Records (which is attached to Sony) in a somewhat roundabout way as their original deal through EMI subsidiary Mute is now null given the record major’s $2 billion merger with Universal Music earlier this year (a move which AIR heavily criticised the ACCC for not opposing).
Rumours also continue to swirl around the return of former member Alan Wilder. Absent since 1995, there have been rumblings that the multi-instrumentalist may rejoin the group for their new album and subsequent European tour, which will kick off in Tel Aviv in May.
Consisting of 34 confirmed dates, the tour will wrap up late July, after which they’ll tour the USA, which leaves Depeche Mode with a massive hole for the rest of the year, which could be dutifully filled by the Australian summer festival season.
Big Day Out or Future Music Festival 2014? We can remain hopeful… for now. But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, check out the studio update in the banner to hear Depeche Mode’s new track.
