Music Complete - New Order (25th September 2015)

Music Complete - New Order

Mute Records

Produced by New Order, Stuart Price and Tom Rowlands

25th September 2015

 New Order
    Bernard Sumner – vocals, guitar, synthesisers
    Stephen Morris – drums and percussion, keyboards, programming
    Gillian Gilbert – keyboards
    Phil Cunningham – keyboards, guitars, electronic percussion
    Tom Chapman – bass, synthesisers

Music Complete is the tenth studio album by the English rock band New Order. It was released on 25 September 2015 by Mute Records, their first album on the label. The album features guest vocals from Elly Jackson of La Roux (on Tutti Frutti and People On The High Line), Iggy Pop (on Stray Dog) and Brandon Flowers (on Superheated). Music Complete was released on CD, digital download, vinyl and limited-edition clear vinyl. An 8×LP deluxe vinyl box set that was released also features the album as well as extended versions of all eleven tracks. The cover artwork for the LP (including the limited-edition clear vinyl release), CD, download, as well as the 8×LP deluxe edition will differ based on color schemes. The deluxe LP box set will be released on 20 November 2015. On 29 July, "Restless" was released as the album's lead single. On 16 September, "Plastic" was released as the second single.

It's the first New Order without Peter Hook (who since his departure has not been so gracious to his former bandmates), and so on bass this is the debut for Tom Chapman and he does a pretty good job if I may say so. It's also the return of Gillian Gilbert (she last appeared with the band in 2001 on Get Ready).

Having had the opportunity to play it a few times over the weekend I'm pretty impressed with it. Tracks I'm impressed with thus far: Restless, People On The High Line, Stray Dog, Academic and Unlearn This Hatred.

Barry Walters of Rolling Stone wrote: "Just as Curtis' suicide inspired his bandmates to reinvent themselves as New Order in 1980, Hook's departure frees them to create their most varied and substantial work in decades." - I would add a thumbs up for that comment because he's totally spot on.

The Quietus Review.