Ultra
Depeche Mode · 1997
60 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A haunting blend of electronic textures and introspective lyrics that explores themes of loss and renewal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Barrel of a Gun Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its brooding atmosphere and themes of desperation, showcasing the band's evolution into darker territory.
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It's No Good — With its infectious beat and poignant lyrics about unrequited love, this track highlights the band's signature blend of melancholy and danceable rhythms.
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Home — A standout ballad that reflects feelings of longing and belonging, this track demonstrates the emotional vulnerability that permeates the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Ultra combines dark electronic textures with introspective lyrics, creating a distinct sound reflective of its era.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a slow, brooding tempo that sets a somber tone for the album.
- Several tracks feature layered electronic textures that create a dense atmosphere, particularly in 'Useless' and 'Sister of Night'.
- The album closes with 'Junior Painkiller', which features a gradual fade-out, leaving an unresolved feeling.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- atmospheric background focus
- contemplative late-night moods
- dynamic emotional journeys
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Represents a significant artistic evolution post-Wilder's departure.
- Themes
- personal redemption· addiction struggles· dark electronic textures
- Career context
- Released on April 15, 1997, Ultra was Depeche Mode's ninth studio album and marked a significant moment in their career following the departure of founding member Alan Wilder in 1995. The album came after the tumultuous period surrounding the band's struggles with addiction and personal issues, ultimately serving as a comeback after their previous album, Songs of Faith and Devotion, which had achieved critical acclaim and commercial success.
- Stylistic neighbors
- New Order· The Cure· Pet Shop Boys
Tracklist
- 1 Barrel of a Gun Start here 5:35
- 2 The Love Thieves 6:34
- 3 Home 5:42
- 4 It’s No Good 5:58
- 5 Uselink 2:21
- 6 Useless 5:12
- 7 Sister of Night 6:04
- 8 Jazz Thieves 2:54
- 9 Freestate 6:43
- 10 The Bottom Line 4:26
- 11 Insight 6:26
- 12 Junior Painkiller 2:09
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
OK Computer
Radiohead
Shares a haunting atmosphere and introspective lyrics exploring themes of alienation and renewal.
The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
Delivers dark electronic textures and grapples with themes of addiction and personal struggle.
Mezzanine
Massive Attack
Combines melancholic soundscapes with introspective lyrics, echoing the emotional depth of 'Ultra'.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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