Depeche Mode have announced their first new album in five years, and after the death of founding member Andy Fletcher. The band, now made up of Dave Gahan and Martin Gore, have revealed that the album is titled Memento Mori and will be released early next year via Columbia and will feature 12 new tracks. A preview of the album was performed by Gahan and Gore on October 4th at a special press conference in Berlin.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, the band revealed that the music on the album was written before Fletcher’s death in May, with the album having been conceived in 2020. The album explores themes that reflect the pandemic. According to Gahan, the music has a “cinematic quality,” and while melancholic will focus on themes of hope and joy. The album is produced by James Ford and Marta Salogni.
In a statement on the band’s website, Gahan said that “Fletch would have loved this album,” and expressed excitement to share it live. The band is scheduled to embark on an extensive tour of Europe and the US in support of the album, beginning in March. The Memento Mori Tour will be the band’s 19th tour overall.
Read the band’s full statement on the album and tour here, and see the poster for The Memento Mori Tour below.
