STACK #222 April 2023

REVIEWS MUSIC

superior, cosmos-snatching energy, almost like they’re taunting, ‘Forgot you missed us, huh?’ We’ll allow Depeche Mode to be boastful, ‘cause they’re so brilliant. Ghosts Again “Time is fleeting…” – there’s something Bizarre Love Triangle about this piano-led lead single, co written by Gore and Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs. Ghosts Again shimmers with effervescent keys and haunted harmonies, and swoon-worthy, poignant lyricism abounds: “A place to hide the tears you cried/ Everybody says goodbye.” Caroline’s Monkey

yourselves...” – love this lyrical twist in the chorus! Is People Are Good an updated, grimmer take on People Are People perhaps? Instrumentation is very Kraftwerk, with whip-cracking accents and retro video game bleeps. “Heaven help me… Heaven help us,” these repeated lyrics culminate in gentle reassurance: “Everything will be alright in time/ It will be fine.” Never Let Me Go Never Let Me Go ’s beat – which evokes Tranz by Gorillaz – sounds like a locomotive train engine, releasing a rush of steam on the

Depeche Mode Memento Mori This piece is an edited extract from our full track-by-track; head to stack.com.au for the entire article. The title of Depeche Mode's 15th album, Memento Mori (English translation: remember that you must die) predated the passing of band co-founder and keyboardist Andy “Fletch” Fletcher (last year, aged 60). But rather than second guessing their choice, remaining members Martin Gore and Dave Gahan have said the loss of their bandmate “cemented" the title's relevance – although Gahan

admitted during an interview that his late bandmate’s presence and input were sorely missed during recording sessions. “He never got to hear any of it,” Gahan bemoaned, “which is really sad to me, because there are songs on this record that I know where he would be like,” and then, mimicking Fletch's gruff Essex accent, “‘This is the best thing we’ve ‘ad in years!’ – I can hear his voice.” My Cosmos Is Mine What sounds like a steelworks in full operation – industrial clanks and fizzes – introduces My Cosmos Is Mine . Then those syncopated beats and tumbling vocal melodies bring

‘3’ pulse. Then dangerous, metallic riffs add grit. “I’m waiting for your love/ I know you’ll want me…There’s only so much time/ We have to play with/ To waste obsession! Oh, Depeche, you've done it again! We’re helpless to the charms of those Gahan-Gore tandem vocals: “We will be beacons/ Shining so bright/ Like stars in the darkness/ For lovers at night..." it is a crime” – sounds like teen-level intense

FUN FACT: Caroline’s Monkey is another of Memento Mori ’s Butler co-writes, and geeks have quickly taken to Reddit to point out that “Caroline” features in many Psychedelic Furs songs (including Pretty in Pink ).

Yikes, this title reminds us of Travis the chimp (Google if you dare). “Caroline's monkey is hungry again/ Running with scissors/ On needles and pins…” – we’re thinking the monkey referred to

here is Caroline's primary addiction/ burden. People Are Good

“Whisper it under your breath/ People are good/ Keep fooling

(Sony) Bryget Chrisfield

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