MG

Following the fast-paced drive of his collaboration with Vince Clarke as VCMG, Martin Gore’s next non-Depeche Mode effort, titled as and released under the guise of MG, continued his explanation of instrumental work. A song or two like “Crowly” aside, MG takes a definite turn for shorter, often subtler and more mysterious numbers; songs like “Pinking” and “Featherlight” have pep and a bright edge to them, while a steady, slightly melancholic effort like “Europa Hymn” shows Gore retaining an easy ability to create elegiac pieces that gently stir up deep emotions.