New Life

New Life

Depeche Mode

With the original shorter version of "New Life" given a great extended revamp on a single release -- a revamp that ended up becoming the album version of the song, thanks to its perfectly catchy drum-machine-only introduction -- New Life brings Depeche Mode more into its own. The later CD release of this EP compiled the various tracks from alternate formats in one place, a pattern that the remainder of the CD reissues would follow. The title track is a shuddering, shimmering collision of tech, beat, and winsome sweetness; even if David Gahan 's vocals aren't much changed from "Dreaming of Me," still undersinging more than anything else, it's still good early '80s fun. "Shout" appears in both versions, the original and the "Rio mix" take. The original take is masterful, clearly demonstrating Depeche 's future role as proto- techno / house / industrial godfathers, with the low synth crunch, echoing beat, and additional melodies hitting a perfect groove and killer chorus. The alternate mix pumps up the volume some -- including the newly prominent electric guitars -- and adds a new ending while keeping the same overall feeling and atmosphere.