Andrew’s Judgmental Album Reviews: Depeche Mode – Momento Mori (2023)

There was a gap in the reviews last week, because, I really didn’t know what to cover. Nothing really stuck out, and I found myself feeling similar this week. So, I started thumbing through the albums that came out earlier in the year and completely missed a new Depeche Mode album. This band needs no real introduction, Violator (1990) put them on the map with singles like Enjoy the Silence, Policy of Truth and Personal Jesus. If you don’t know the original, you’ve probably heard covers.

One of the bigger Electro/New Wave bands of the 80s that are still making music. While nothing ever quite caught fire like Violator did, lets see how their most recent album fairs; especially following the death of their founding member, keyboardist, Andy Fletcher.

Depeche Mode is: Dave Gahan (lead vocals), Martin Gore (keys, guitars, backing vocals)

• Artist: Depeche Mode
• Album: Momento Mori (2023)
• Label: Columbia Records
• Total Track Time: 50:25

After the first few songs its really mind-blowing in a way to realize this album is 33 years after they broke big and it still contains that same wave of electric melancholy that so easily pulls people in. Another thing to note is that Gahan still sounds impeccable. His voice hasn’t dropped off, unlike some of his 80s contemporaries; David Coverdale and Geoff Tate come to mind. A lot of the themes of the album are typical dark, gothic and emotional with loss, drug addiction, and different iterations of sadness; which we should expect from Depeche Mode. Given the name of the album being Latin for “reminder of death”, the songs hovering around mortality, loss and forlorn determination really ring clearly through all of the songs.

Some may find it unexpected, that there are a few songs that border on a more upbeat tempo. Nothing is ever frivolous or carefree, but there are enough tempo changes and melodic wrinkles to keep everything fresh and not depression the musical. New Wave, Industrial, Brit Pop and Electro elements all play their parts to mold a pretty amazing album.

1. Caroline’s Monkey – 4:16

This might be the most left field song on the album, but its beautiful in the metaphors and the harkens to Policy of Truth. A song about the monkey on Caroline’s back, it could be drug addiction, could be depression, but the interesting aspect of this song is that it doesn’t come to a sad grind. The chorus of; “Fading’s better than failing, Falling’s better than feeling, Folding’s better than losing, Fixing’s better than healing“, adds a level of hope to the song. That even though the monkey on her back is tormenting her, she’s fighting to get through it. Also as a personal note, this song definitely gives me vibes of like Repo! The Genetic Opera, so that might be influencing my enjoyment a bit more than others.

2. Soul With Me – 4:15

Slows things down with a mixture of a church hymnal and a Duran Duran style ballad, with maybe a touch of Frankie Avalon. Lyrically it explores dying, leaving this earthly plane and ascending somewhere to “take my soul with me”. So the song is beautiful with bittersweet lyrics of wanting to leave the world’s problems and strife behind as they ascend to a better place. Its definitely a little unique for Depeche Mode, but that makes it all the more beautiful. A style not totally within their wheelhouse, they still knocked out of the park.

3. Ghosts Again – 3:58

The first single for the album, and it definitely screams more radio friendly than a few of the other songs. But with the very 80s electronic bass drum kick and interspersed keys, it feels familiar and being a song about loss, that odd familiar feeling is an interesting artistic touch. Its fairly catchy too, if I’m being honest. Unlike some radio fodder songs, this just feels like a solid 80s Pop song that you might not search for on the radio; but you’ll let it play out if it comes on.

While the three highlights aren’t exactly me gushing, that’s purely because the entire album is solid. There’s about 7 of the 12 songs that I could’ve easily made an argument for Top 3. If you’re a fan of Violator, Music for the Masses, or any of the other peak Depeche Mode albums; this album makes an argument to be placed right up there with them. Even with the themes not being varied, they approach most of the songs from different angles and the music coupled with fantastic vocals makes it a very enjoyable listen.

I really never expected Depeche Mode to be weighing in for Album of the Year in 2023, but I’m pleasantly surprised.

Final Judgment: 9/10