Depeche Mode has released the official music video for their new single “Wagging Tongue.” The song is the second single off their album Momento Mori released this March.
Per the band’s publicists, the brand new music video “is set in a cinematic universe where rules governing interpersonal communication are strict and surreal [and] tells the story of a young couple from a small remote village who join their neighbors for a confrontational ritual — one that draws in participants from all walks of life: lawyers, businessmen, priests, policemen, even Martin Gore and Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode.”
World-renowned director and photographer Anton Corbijn served as the creative director for “Wagging Tongue.” Corbijn is a long-time collaborator with Depeche Mode. For over three decades, he’s set the visual tone of the band’s music videos and album sleeve photography. The result is a distinctive aesthetic that is darkly sensual and beloved by fans.
Depeche Mode’s Legacy
The new album Momento Mori is another beautiful entry into the universe of Depeche Mode, which had its big bang in 1980. However, it wouldn’t be until the release of 1987’s Music for the Masses that the band began to see the light of major success. The singles “Strangelove” and “Never Let Me Down Again” garnered some international attention, but when the 1988 world tour placed Depeche Mode at the Pasadena Rose Bowl, everything changed. The California venue would be the setting of their now-legendary concert. This was their breakthrough in the United States, a must-have achievement for any band wanting to get big. If you want to witness this piece of music history, you can do so by watching the concert’s film 101.
Though the Pasadena Rose Bowl was a massive stepping stone in Depeche Mode’s rise to fame, it would not be until 1990’s Violator that the band turned into one of the biggest in the world. This album cemented Depeche Mode in the annals of rock and roll, with the singles “Personal Jesus” and “Enjoy the Silence” continuing to be regular plays on the radio ever since their release.
Depeche Mode’s primary creative forces are Dave Gahan (lead vocals, co-songwriting) and Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, co-lead vocals, primary songwriting). The duo is the band’s bedrock, with other members coming and going since the founding.
A Future in Black and White
In 2020, the band earned a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It is deserved recognition for breaking ground in the genres of electronic, industrial, and post-punk, but don’t misunderstand this as a sign that the boys from Basilton, England are old news.
In January of this year, HBO’s The Last of Us featured the aforementioned single “Never Let Me Down Again.” Following the trend set by Stranger Things returning Kate Bush‘s 1985 hit “Running Up That Hill” to the charts, Billboard reported a triple increase in streaming of the sleekly grim techno tune. Even the official music video’s title now includes a shout-out to the popular television show.
Depeche Mode is currently on tour promoting their new album. You can purchase tickets via your favorite ticketing vendor.
