A Broken Frame reflects Depeche Mode’s struggle and growth after the departure of primary songwriter Vince Clarke. Their 1981 debut, Speak and Spell, had laid a solid disco-pop foundation, but Clarke’s exit left a creative gap. Martin Gore took over songwriting for A Broken Frame, leading the band through uncharted territory. Though many experimental sounds from this album didn’t continue in their later work, A Broken Frame captures Depeche Mode’s exploration of their identity. The band tested their boundaries, learning not only what worked but also what didn’t—knowledge that shaped their evolution into electro pioneers.