DEPECHE MODE WRONG PROMO SINGLE/SONG MUTE, EMI RELEASE: APRIL 4, 2009 REVIEW: MARCH 20, 2009

I still vividly remember the unrealistic expectations I had before "Playing the Angel" was released. Rumours spoke of a true return to form and while portions of the album were indeed spectacular, it was equally disappointing in that it still held an unhealthy batch of filler material. As a result I have abandoned all hope that the Mode will come back stronger than ever in 2009.

"Wrong" does help in restoring hope for my lifetime darlings, but the same can be said of "Precious" when it burst into my ears four years ago. Regrettably, I was unable to resist listening to the demo of "Fragile Tension" and that sounded annoyingly weak in my ears, with dreadful, almost metal-esque guitars in the chorus part. "Wrong", on the other hand, illustrates the strengths of Depeche Mode brilliantly. They still don't quite "fit in" musically and they still dare to break new ground. All while maintaining that unmistakable pop quality so prominent in most of their better work. The bluesy feeling, the warm analogue synth aura and the masterful vocal harmony towards the end of the track make it a keeper, even by Depeche Mode standards. It is far from a direct hit, like "Enjoy the Silence", but what it lacks in hit factor it makes up for with attitude and synthetic cleverness.

Now, if only Gore could manage to sustain and focus his insanely talanted song writing mind long enough to compose an entire album of what we all know he is capable of. Then the new album will indeed contain glorious "Sounds of the Universe".

NIKLAS FORSBERG