Sounds Of The Universe is one of Depeche Mode's lower-key albums, but not without explosive or dramatic moments by any means. The sense of older styles and sounds - classic drum machines, early synthesizers, a rumbling bass undercarriage - serves new purposes.

On the whole, Sounds Of The Universe is a grower, relying on a few listens to fully take effect, but when it does, it shows Depeche Mode are still able to combine pop-hook accessibility and their own take on 'roots' music for an electronic age with sonic experimentation and recombination - not bad for a band with almost three decades under its collective belt.