DM is now Dave & Martin
Album facts
Release Date: March 24th, 2023
Label: Sony Music
Tags: Dark Wave, Depeche Mode, Synth Pop
Discogs: Depeche Mode – Memento Mori
Partially sounds like: Camouflage, Deine Lakaien, De/Vision, Gary Numan, IAMX
Final score: 4.1 stars
Matching album cliches: 0 / 7
It's bloody painful – not only that Depeche Mode have been a duo since last year, as we had to say goodbye to dear Andrew Fletcher forever and far too soon. No, I am also saddened by the fact that the last album 'Spirit' (2017) was released 6 years ago. The intervals between album releases are getting longer and longer and I'm sure I'm not the only one who wonders: "How many new songs will we be allowed to hear from our favourite band in our remaining lifetime?"
The feeling that we are running out of time, because with increasing age we realise more and more that life is ultimately finite, makes us feel melancholy and thoughtful at times. Consider That You Must Die (Memento Mori) already hints at where the dark journey will lead us from the title and the highly emotional Anton Corbijn cover artwork. However, I sincerely hope that this is not the last journey with Depeche Mode. But before I get too emotional, let's start with the review of the 15th studio album by the British synth pop gods Depeche Mode.
A celestial start
My Cosmos Is Mine: The opener immediately reminded me of 'Welcome To My World' on 'Delta Machine' (2013). The cool industrial sound, the inertia and the soundscapes and effects that subtly fill the background characterise this song. This song is best enjoyed in quiet moments with yourself and listened to through good headphones. Martin's vocal part sounds like a choir of angels, which is able to dispel the darkness of the song for a short while. The song feels like balm or a cleansing for all sentimental souls and is perfectly arranged, even if the song doesn't work for me as a single release.
Wagging Tongue: The song starts off with a lengthy intro, building up the anticipation before the soft beat kicks in at the 1:07 mark. From there, the song gains momentum and drives forward with a gentle energy. Dave Gahan's vocals are particularly noteworthy on this track. His melancholic tone is filled with emotion and introspection, perfectly fitting the mood of the song. What really stands out in 'Wagging Tongue' is the lyric line "Watch another angel die". This could be a reference to the recent death of Andrew Fletcher and makes this line all the more poignant. For me it's almost clear that this song is a tribute to Fletcher and a reflection on his passing.
Ghosts Again: The leaps of joy in my heart when I heard the song 'Ghosts Again' for the first and twentieth time can hardly be expressed in words. I had tears of joy and a slight melancholic emotional attack at the same time. Pure goosebumps! Choosing this song as the lead single was the 100% right choice to capture "old Depeche Mode fans" again. Everything about this song is just right, the perfect tempo, the deep emotions, wonderful lyrics, sounds that immediately sound familiar and warmly embrace you, … simply perfect. The song is a highlight on the album and has instantly taken a very special place in my heart.
A place to hide the tears that you cried
Everybody says goodbye
Lyrics from 'Ghosts Again' by Depeche Mode
Clouds are gathering
Don’t Say You Love Me: The guitar beginning like from a spaghetti western is not really my cup of tea. It doesn't get any better with the arrival of Dave's vocals. It's just an almost acoustic sounding piece which in my opinion would have been more suitable on a 'Soulsavers' album. Sure, the song is good and absolutely professionally produced, but for me one of the weakest tracks on the album.
My Favourite Stranger: The quite calm number 'My Favourite Stranger', offers a little dynamic in this very constant song through the punctuated guitar scream. What I don't think is solved so well are the too extreme vocal effects, which creep in almost ghostly, but that's probably exactly the core of the matter. The bridge in the middle of the song can fully convince me with all its fantastic electronic noises. The song is solid and after several listens I can give it a glorious 4.5 star rating with a clear conscience.
My favourite stranger
Stands in my mirror
Puts words in my mouth
All broke and bitter
Lyrics from 'My favourite Stranger' by Depeche Mode
Soul With Me: My first thought after the angelic 20 second intro: "Sounds like a blues/rock song in a shabby pub". Seriously!? And again, I know I'm going to get a lot of headwind from this opinion. Maybe after 40 years I'll get used to the fact that the Martin Gore solo songs on the Depeche Mode albums are always something "very special". BTW: I really like 'A Question Of Lust' (Black Celebration, 1986).
Alternation a sky wide
Caroline's Monkey: In a twisted way, I see the song as if a song on the 'Spice Crackers' album by 'Camouflage' had fathered a child with a 'Recoil' song. Only that the result sounds a bit more organic. The prerequisite to be a great song is therefore already under a good star in the foundation. Unfortunately, the song doesn't really get off the starting blocks. While listening to it, I notice myself that I'm waiting for a killer drop or that the chorus somehow blows me away. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen. However, I can't point my finger at what I'm missing in the song. While waiting for something to happen, the end comes very abruptly without notice. Whoosh, the song was suddenly over. I say cautiously: I have very mixed feelings about the song "Caroline's Monkey".
Before We Drown: The song 'Before We Down' is more my kind of thing again. Very electronic, cool industrial and a little experimental. Depeche Mode dare to do a lot on this album, especially concerning the variations of the songs. As a result, of course, this can't be anyone's favourite album all the way through. The highlights are and remain selective. The vocals are a constant that you can rely on in the song. The sounds used partly sound like from another world or at least from a SciFi film. The last quarter of the song, with the choir-like vocals of Martin Gore, raises the atmosphere again, before the song comes to a sentimental end.
People Are Good: The very technical and complex song sounds to me like a brother of the song 'Hole To Feed' from the 2009 album 'Sounds Of The Universe'. At least that's my first association. The song also needs a few starts before the complexity unravels and unfolds, but then it really kicks in. The song is definitely another highlight on 'Memento Mori' and a recommended listen.
Breaking of clouds in the end
Always You: If I were to ascribe single qualities to a second song on 'Memento Mori' besides 'Ghosts Again', then it would certainly be 'Always You'. The song has a nice beat and is catchy and not too labyrinthine. It's an honest, beautiful sombre synth pop song. The soft drums in the chorus make me easily draw parallels to the song 'Fragile Tension'. I feel like there are a million different noises and effects in the background, but they are so incredibly subtle that they never steal the show from the core of the song. Dave Gahan's vocals are clearly in the foreground, fantastically sung and give the song its soul. I love this song!
Never Let Me Go: This is 'Soft Touch/Raw Nerve v2.0' for me! Fast beat, dirty sounds, a little bit snotty and probably the most electro-rock song on the album 'Memento Mori'. The song is bursting with untamed dynamics and if you compare the sound switches in 'Never Let Me Go' with those of a roller coaster, I have to vomit right away. And it would be the best vomit of my life! The off beat drums have almost the same attitude and pressure of the drums from the song 'Angel', whereby I reference two songs from 'Delta Machine' with this song. It makes me extremely happy that 'Depeche Mode' are really kicking ass electronically at the end of the album.
We will be beacons
Shining so bright
Like stars in the darkness
For lovers at night
Lyrics from 'Never Let Me Go' by Depeche Mode
Speak To Me: The "the last piece is a ballad number" unfortunately also applies here, but at least not a typical piano ballad. The finest synthetic sounds are implemented and presented here in an atmospheric way. The song is again well produced, but doesn't appeal to me directly. But the end of the song does, because the song builds up to epic and then disappears into dark eternity. The end of the song really sends cold shivers down your spine. If the goal was to acoustically produce the transition from life to death, then I take my hat off to this brilliant achievement.
The sun or the rainfall – a verdict
The album is a consistent further development of the last releases and that almost uncompromising. The hope of many old fans after the single release 'Ghosts Again' to get another 'Violator' album will be bitterly disappointed here. The ghosts of 'Delta Machine' and 'Spirit' still live in the songs of 'Memento Mori'. It's new and it's good the way it is. Also I am not 100% satisfied with all the songs, but the album is basic solid and 100% Depeche Mode.
But maybe the album will be celebrated for more sentimental reasons. Maybe a lot of older fans have a guilty conscience because they tore the albums of the last years so much and think they have to make amends. Therefore my short conclusion: 'Memento Mori' is a wonderful album, which was made for the fans and not for the radio. Also, I am a bit jealous of the cover artwork of the vinyl release as it really looks fantastic. I'm not a vinyl collector and will have to settle for the deluxe CD. But no matter which version you buy, it's money well spent!
A very personal note: What kept me busy the whole time while listening to the album and writing this review is a topic that has accompanied me intensively my whole life. Every loss hurts, but I am happy that everything is finite, because that is what makes everything in life special and valuable. A question for all the old school Depeche Mode fans: "Do you believe that 'Violator' or 'Black Celebration' would mean so much today if Depeche Mode had copied these albums over and over again for the last 30 years?". I don't think so and I'm so grateful that everything has an end and has to have an end. No matter how much it hurts. Get over it!
Track by track rating for: Depeche Mode – Memento Mori
Typical album cliché list for: Depeche Mode – Memento Mori
More Depeche Mode
Do you love 'Depeche Mode' like we do? Then you'll be interested in our Depeche Mode album ranking in the article 'What is the best Depeche Mode album of all-time?'.
Further you might like to read our article about 'The best Depeche Mode tribute compilations'. To honour the band, we also have released two tribute compilations in 2017. Check out these unique and awesome cover versions from recent Depeche Mode Hits: