The CD of the week

DEPECHE MODE

Sounds of the Universe Mute****

With their previous album, Playing the Angel(2005), not really exciting on any level, the all-conquering Essex synth three-piece seemed to be drifting further away from the career highs of albums such as Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion from the 1990s.

This is Depeche Mode's 12th studio album. Produced by Ben Hillier, Sounds of the Universeis a classy affair, with a bit of a swagger about it, evinced by the first single, Wrong. Singer Dave Gahan believes this to be the closest the band will ever get to r'n'b, which is perhaps overstating it a bit. Still, it is a chart-friendly foray.

Gahan, spurred on by a growing solo career, writes three songs here, the pick of which is Come Back, a layered and trance-like ode. But this is still main songwriter Martin Gore's album. Jezebel(on which he sings the lead vocal) has a strange cabaret-noir feel to it, but on Corrupt he ups the sleazy/creepy factor to better effect.

The album highlight is Peace, sung both by Gahan and Gore. It's all very analogue and 1980s and full of burbling Vince Clarke-style synth lines with a vaguely Gospel undertow. And it has that stadium singalong feel to it, which will no doubt serve them well on their upcoming tour.

Not everything works – sometimes the band seem more keen on showing off retro-synth sounds, and the opener In Chainsisn't the most arresting intro to an album. But there is plenty to admire: a slightly mellower and confessional approach to the songs, and in Wrong one of the best songs they've ever recorded.

On first listen, you may be left a bit nonplussed, but give this album time and it will grow on you. www.depechemode.com

Download tracks: Wrong, Peace