First look at Martin Gore’s new solo album “MG”
Mar 2015 03

One week ago we received a promo album from Mute Records called “MG”. It was Martin Gore’s new 16 track solo album “MG”, to be released on April 27/28.

Work on “MG” began in Martin Gore’s home studio in Santa Barbara after the Depeche Mode “Delta Machine Tour”. “MG” is very electronic-sounding and at times it is like a movie score. It neither makes us think of Depeche Mode, nor is it leaning towards techno and dance, at least not much. Review in progress.

First out is a single called “Europe Hymn” which is available on Soundcloud now (listen below). It is a filmic adventure and quite melancholic with a minimalistic Vangelis-like touch. The whole album is instrumental and Martin Gore thus kept his personae MG from the VCMG album collaboration “SSSS” with Vince Clarke. He also kept Q in charge of the mix. The approach to the album was in his own words:

- I wanted to keep the music very electronic, very filmic and give it an almost sci-fi like quality. As a songwriter, I am aware of the power of words. Especially when they are juxtaposed in the right way with chords and melody. I am also aware of the power of pure music and the emotions that can be created by musical atmospheres and that is what I wanted to capture with this project.

Track listing:

“Pinking”
“Swanning”
“Exalt”
“Elk”
“Brink”
“Europa Hymn”
“Creeper”
“Spiral”
“Stealth”
“Hum”
“Islet”
“Crowly”
“Trysting”
“Southerly”
“Featherlight”
“Blade”

News post by: Fredrik “Schlatta” Wik and Mikael Kahrle
Photo by: Travis Shinn