"Peace", the second single from their "Sounds Of The Universe", is probably the gem of the latest masterpiece that the now famous trio from Basildon has given us. The lyrical and choral tones of the piece immediately make it one of the standout live hits of the concluded "Tour Of The Universe", a key moment where the stadium becomes one with them, the Depeche Mode. Structurally, the song is quite simple and linear, and the synth-bass intro deliberately recalls that of "See You" from 1982, and it is for this reason, along with the masterful use of vintage analog synthesizers and drum machines, that the piece captures the attention of the most nostalgic and long-time fans of the band. The arrangement and sound quality are indicative of a maturity solidified thanks to a three-decade-long career. The sounds truly seem to come from space, as does Gahan's voice, which, perfectly equalized, reaches very high peaks.

The chorus is then enriched by the counter-singing of Gore, who has become a master at weaving poignant and heartfelt melodies. As if that weren't enough, everything is aided by the omnipresent keyboards, the true protagonists of the piece, upon which grand harmonies climb, among the most beautiful ever written by Gore. The lyrics, cryptic and minimalist just enough, are an anthem to the quest for inner peace with the consequent abandonment of resentments that prevent moving forward and making the past just that. In conclusion, I can only say that it would be futile to try to describe one of the most beautiful songs of what I consider to be the greatest band ever in the history of music.

Tracklist and Videos

01   Peace (single version) (03:38)

02   Peace (Hervé's "Warehouse Frequencies" remix) (05:10)

03   Peace (Sander Van Doorn remix) (08:02)

04   Peace (Justus Köhncke extended disco club vocal remix) (06:23)

05   Peace (Pan/Tone remix) (07:50)

06   Peace (Sid LeRock remix) (06:35)

07   Peace (The Exploding Plastic Inevitable JK disco dub) (07:33)

08   Peace (The Japanese Popstars remix) (06:41)

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