Depeche Mode: what is the new promising project of Dave Gahan, the leader of the cult band?

Depeche Mode’s charismatic frontman, Dave Gahan, will cover tracks by Neil Young, Pj Harvey and Cat Power in an album due out in November,  Imposter. A surprise project with the air of a sound autobiography.

Dave Gahan, the singer of Depeche Mode with a hectic life (marked by addictions) never disappoints. After several successful solo albums, he announced the surprise release of a new album, Imposter, scheduled for November 12. Recorded with the Anglo-American producers Soulsavers, Imposter will bring together reinterpretations of songs by Neil Young, Bob Dylan, PJ Harvey, Cat Power, Mark Lanegan and, more surprisingly, Charlie Chaplin.

This record will have the air of a sound autobiography since all the songs chosen by Dave Gahan reflect a moment in his life. In the press release accompanying the record, the frontman of one of the world’s biggest synthpop bands explains: “When I listen to these artists’ songs – and especially the way they sing them and interpret the words – I feel at homeI identify with that. It comforts me more than anything else. There is not a single performer on this record who has not moved me.” Dave Gahan who had recently taken over Metallica as part of the 30th anniversary of the Black Album, The metal band’s flagship opus, is thus part of one of the major trends of the moment: the “cover records.” Alex Beaupain will unveil an album of reinterpretations of his Serge Gainsbourg and on Twitter, it is rumored that Cat Power could return in 2022 with a record of covers.

Imposter by Dave Gahan & Soulsavers, Columbia Records, out November 12.

The tracklist of the album Imposter :

01 The Dark End of the Street (Chips Moman and Dan Penn)

02 Strange Religion (Mark Lanegan)

03 Lilac Wine (James Shelton)

04 I Held My Baby Last Night (Jules Bihari and Elmore James)

05 A Man Needs a Maid (Neil Young)

06 Metal Heart (Cat Power)

07 Shut Me Down (Rowland S. Howard)

08 Where My Love Lies Asleep (Gene Clark)

09 Smile (Charlie Chaplin, John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons)

10 The Desperate Kingdom of Love (PJ Harvey)

11 Not Dark Yet (Bob Dylan)

12 Always on My Mind (John Lee Christopher, Jr., Mark James and Wayne Thompson)