Depeche Mode’s seminal 1981 track Photographic resurfaces, now draped in new electronic finery in a new cover by Greek producer Dimitris Papaspyropoulos, known to many as Last Chance. Originally conceived by Vince Clarke for the iconic Some Bizzare Album, this synth-pop classic defined the early allure of Depeche Mode: bright synth bursts, urgent rhythms, and a buoyant sense of discovery. Re-recorded for the group’s foundational LP, Speak & Spell, the song became a staple of their youthful, electrifying performances, embedding itself deeply into the DNA of electronic music.
In Papaspyropoulos’ fresh interpretation, Photographic is reborn through Alexandros Raptis’ (Decode) vocal treatment, wrapped snugly in layers of lush atmospherics and sleek modern textures. The production accentuates the original’s pulsation, underscoring Clarke’s knack for sharp melody lines with a nuanced contemporary polish. Papaspyropoulos’ version is both reverential and bold, gently illuminating overlooked emotional corners of the track. Raptis brings warmth and subtle vulnerability, shifting the mood into new territory while keeping the spirit intact.
This reimagined version gracefully bridges decades, inviting younger ears into the luminous, synthetic heartbeat of early ’80s electronica without losing the authenticity that drew original devotees. Rather than merely revisiting nostalgia, Papaspyropoulos and Raptis rekindle the flame of Photographic, presenting it as a fresh experience, vital and relevant once more, compellingly proving that great electronic music resonates well beyond its era.
Watch the cover’s visualizer below:
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Listen to Photographic below and order the single here.
Beyond his own singles and EPs, Dimitris Papaspyropoulos has recast and recalibrated tracks by luminaries like Peter Gabriel under the banner of his “Last Chance” remixes, while presiding over the wildly sought-after “Last Chance” DJ soirées, a fixture of Athens’ after-dark allure. Not content to stop at the decks, he’s meticulously compiled ten best-selling CD compilations spanning back to 1999. Most recently, he’s stepped into the theatrical realm, serving as music director for Jean Anouilh’s Medea at Altera Pars Theater, where classical tragedy meets contemporary cadence.
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