Playing the Angel is Depeche Mode’s eleventh studio album, released in October 2005. It was supported by the Touring the Angel tour.

Playing the Angel is Depeche Mode's first album to feature Dave Gahan as co writer. He wrote the lyrics to "Suffer Well", "I Want It All" and "Nothing's Impossible", while Christian Eigner and Andrew Phillpott wrote the music.

Gahan is the lead singer on all songs except for the instrumental "Introspectre", and Martin Gore-sung tracks "Macro" and "Damaged People".

Gahan also sings backing vocals on "Macro", which was the first time he had sung backing on one of Gore's songs since Violator's "Sweetest Perfection".