Albums
April: 18 albums you need to hear this month
Thundercat, Talaboman, Kingdom and more
Depeche Mode 'Spirit' (Columbia)
This album gets off to a barnstorming start. ‘Backwards’ and ‘Revolution’ are among the most anthemic things Depeche Mode have done this century, apocalyptic both in sound and lyrics and perfect for these dark times. Simian Mobile Disco’s James Ford has done a fine job of making them sound like their stadium-sized selves while freshening things up with trippy techno twists, and Dave Gahan is in fine voice. The momentum does slacken, though, and the album doesn’t feel particularly structured. Still, songs such as the fierce ‘Scum’ and the stately ‘No More’ are worthy additions to the band’s catalogue, and have far more grit and vividness than you’d expect from any band 37 years into their career. Joe Muggs
7/10
