After 28 years and 14 releases, Depeche Mode is sticking with what works best. Over the years they’ve honed their own blend of sinister, slinky dance synth-pop, moving away from the sound of their earlier years (i.e. the bouncy “Just Can’t Get Enough”) and carved out a place in the “sexy but kinda creepy and dirty” niche not occupied by many others. The trademark combo of guitarist Martin Gore’s ghostly vibrato and singer Dave Gahan’s effeminate swagger is sure to bring back memories of whatever you were doing when you first heard this band. (My memory: the summer between fourth and fifth grades, when my cousin Heather babysat me and brought over a copy of Music for the Masses. Heather is the coolest cousin.). Take that classic sound and mix it with updated nuances you get Sounds of the Universe. - Susie Ulrey