Blue Plate Special: New Order
The iconic New Order was formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Stephen Morris, following the tragic suicide of Joy Division‘s lead singer, Ian Curtis. They were later joined by Gillian Gilbert on keyboards. New Order uniquely blended post-punk with electronic and dance music, establishing themselves as a defining act of the 1980s. Their ties to the influential Manchester-based Factory Records label and the famous nightclub The Haçienda further solidified their legacy.
Despite starting under Joy Division’s shadow, New Order’s exposure to the New York club scene inspired them to infuse dance rhythms into their music. Their 1983 hit “Blue Monday” holds the record for the best-selling 12-inch single ever. Noteworthy albums from the ’80s include “Power, Corruption & Lies”, “Technique”, and the compilation “Substance”. After disbanding in 1993, they reunited in 1998, experiencing multiple hiatuses and line-up changes, notably Peter Hook’s departure in 2007. In 2015, they released “Music Complete”. By 2023, both Joy Division and New Order were jointly nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their distinctive album covers, designed by Peter Saville, often avoided typical conventions like showcasing the band’s name or members, adding to their enigmatic appeal.
Some of my favorites from their catalog:
Blue Monday – from the album Power, Corruption & Lies (1983)
Bizarre Love Triangle – from the album Brotherhood (1986)
True Faith – a single created for the compilation album Substance (1987)
The Perfect Kiss – from the album Low-Life (1984)
Age of Consent – from the album Power, Corruption & Lies (1983)
Crystal – from the album Get Ready (2001)
Regret – from the album Republic (1993)
