Mumbai: EMI Music has signed an exclusive worldwide deal with Depeche Mode. The new deal means that EMI Music will now release Depeche Mode’s music in the US for the first time, as well as in the rest of the world.

Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode said: "We are so pleased to be continuing our relationship with Mute, and we feel very positive about the new team and set-up at EMI. This is going to be an exciting new chapter."

EMI Music president A&R Labels, North America, the UK and Ireland Nick Gatfield said, "We are delighted to be extending our relationship with Depeche Mode, and to be supporting them in the US for the first time. They continuously push boundaries and excite fans with their recording and live work."

Mute chairman Daniel Miller said: "I am really happy to be continuing to work with the band. They have been reaching new creative heights in the studio and they have one of the most devoted fan bases of any band in the world today. I believe that the Mute and EMI teams are extremely well positioned to help Depeche Mode build on their success."

The first release under Depeche Mode’s worldwide agreement with EMI Music is a new studio album, the band’s twelfth, due outside the U.S. on 20 April, 2009, and in the US on 21 April. Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, and Fletcher are currently in New York working on the album, which will be the follow-up to Depeche Mode’s 2005 release Playing the Angel.

In addition, Depeche Mode has announced dates for the European leg of its Tour of the Universe 2009 — the group’s first-ever stadium tour in which they will perform in 28 cities across 21 countries. The tour, which kicks off in Israel on 10 May, is the band’s first since 2005’s Touring the Angel Trek.