Nearly four years after 2009's surprisingly strong "Sounds of the Universe," Depeche Mode will release a new studio album in March, the pioneering synth-rock band announced Tuesday.

The disc, whose title has not been released, is to be Depeche Mode's first for Columbia Records and arrives shortly before the group launches a world tour on May 7 in Tel Aviv.

"I am very happy with how the album turned out," said multi-instrumentalist Martin Gore in a statement. "The music has a similar vibe to 'Violator' and 'Songs of Faith and Devotion,' and I think the songs on the album are among some of the very best we've done."

"The album has a very organic and direct feel to it," added singer Dave Gahan. "It's not a blues record, but it definitely has a soulful vibe. During the recording process we really tried to get the elements of performing and the live show into the album more."

In November, Depeche Mode (which also includes keyboardist Andy Fletcher) posted a montage of in-studio footage to YouTube; it's loaded with shots of knobs and dials and Gahan bent seriously over a notepad, presumably scrawling doom-laden lyrics about sex and submission. (Watch the video below.)

Fans hoping for a sneak preview of the album might consider venturing on Saturday night to Santa Barbara, where Gore is scheduled to perform a DJ set at a fundraiser for two local music organizations.