DEPECHE MODE
ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF
SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE
APRIL
21, 2009
January 15, 2009- Groundbreaking, chart-topping electro legends
Depeche Mode are proud to announce the release of their long-anticipated new
studio album, Sounds Of The Universe on April 21, 2009 (Mute Records).

Eclectic and energized, the band’s new release is their most dazzling and
diverse album in decades. Recorded in Santa Barbara and New York, Depeche Mode
returned to using a lot of vintage gear, from analogue synthesizers to drum
machines, in order to conjure up the retro-futuristic arrangements featured on
the album. Lyrically the release contains many of the group’s enduring
obsessions plus more overt black humor than any of their previous
collections.

Like with their 2005 studio album, Playing The Angel, Sounds Of The Universe
features writing credits for both Martin Gore, the group’s primary songwriter,
and Dave Gahan who after honing his talents on two solo albums, has earned his
place as Depeche Mode’s second writer. The release also marks a reunion between
the band and producer Ben Hillier (Blur, Doves, Elbow), who worked with the band
to help give their new album its timeless sound. The first single from the
release, “Wrong,” grabs the listener’s attention from its first stack-heeled,
staccato shriek. Over stomping beats, screeching synthesizers, and Dave’s
overlord chant, “Wrong” already feels like a Depeche Mode classic. Other
standout tracks include Martin’s velvet-lined Scott Walker croon on the sensual
lounge-music ballad “Jezebel,” to the sci-fi gospel-blues hymn “In Chains” and
“Hole To Feed,” which marries modern electronics to a floor-shaking,
bone-rattling Bo Diddley beat.

As one of the most influential bands of the post-punk era, with global sales
in excess of 100 million, Depeche Mode belongs to a select premiere league of
super groups who have survived from the early 1980s with their ideals, creative
vision and core members intact. Formed in 1981, Depeche Mode - Martin Gore, Dave
Gahan and Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher - continue to win critical and commercial
acclaim across the world both in the studio and on the road. All of the band’s
11 studio albums have reached the Top Ten in not only the UK and USA but 20 plus
countries around the world including Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain,
Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and Belgium. Additionally, since their inception
Depeche Mode’s live shows continue to be a must-see attraction, with the group
playing to 2.8 million people across 31 countries on their last tour alone.

Depeche Mode will be announcing additional album details and tour news in the
coming weeks. For more information please go to
www.depechemode.com.

 

The first session began May 5th in Santa Barbara and ended on May
30th.
Second session began in New York on July 8th and ended August
1st.
Third session began in New York on September 9th and ended on October
2nd.
Fourth session began in California on October 21st and ended on November
13th.
Fifth and final session begain in New York on November 18 and ended
December 12.

Additional work (drums) were recorded in Vienna,
Austria.

That wraps it for this album. No more recording or mixing
sessions planned.
_

Scheduled for release April 20th via EMI/Mute
(April 21st in the US).
_

Tracks:
"Wrong" First single
"Peace
Will Come To Me"
"In Chains"
"In Sympathy"
"Corruption"
"Fragile
Tension"
"Come Back" (written by Gahan/Eigner/Phillpott)
"Hole To Feed"
(written by Gahan/Eigner/Phillpott)
"Miles Away" (written by
Gahan/Eigner/Phillpott)
"Jezebel" (lead vocal by
Martin)
_

Producer: Ben Hillier
_

Additional
crew:

Luke Smith (engineer/programmer)
Ferg Peterkin
(engineer)
Christian Eigner (pre-production/demos w. Dave, and drums on the
album)
Andrew Phillpott (pre-production/demos w. Dave)
Kurt Uenala
(pre-production/demos w. Dave)
Sie Medway-Smith (pre-production/demos w.
Martin)
Tony Hoffer (mix)
_
Anton Corbijn is confirmed as doing the
artwork again!
_
The video for the first single, "Wrong", was
directed by Patrick Daughters, and shot in New York in mid-December 2008.