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NEW ORDER – Synth-Pop Heroes’ Masterwork Album ‘LOW-LIFE’ Is 40 Today

Significant longplayers from the past

13 May 2025

Manchester‘s synth-pop/rock heroes NEW ORDER released their third album LOW-LIFE today 40 years ago, on 13 May 1985. Along with their sophomore LP ‘Power, Corruption And Lies’ the band’s two premier achievements, in my book. Amazing tunes, dance-floor knockouts, and memorable melodies for all moods. Overall a glowing masterpiece.

It peaked at #7 on the UK Album Charts.

Smash Hits (former British music weekly) wrote: “The songs are much stronger than
usual, not just doomy electronic workouts but memorable melodies with a sense of humour lurking in the words.”

SINGLES

ALBUM

Linktree – All NO Albums

TODAY’S YESTERDAY ALBUM – ‘Low-life’ – Third NEW ORDER Longplayer…

Posted on August 14, 2018 by JL

Remarkable albums from the past…

‘Low-life’ by NEW ORDER
Released: 13 May 1985 / NO’s third longplayer

ALL MUSIC review: “New Order’s third LP, Low-life, was, in every way, the artistic equal of
their breakout, 1983’s ‘Power, Corruption & Lies’. The point where the band’s fusion of rock
and electronics became seamless, it showed the band members having it every way they wanted: heavily sequenced and synthesized, but with bravura work from Bernard Sumner’s guitar and Peter Hook’s plaintive, melodic bass; filled with hummable pop songs, but still experimental as far as how the productions were achieved – But there was no mistaking that New Order had reached a peak, experimenting with their sound and their style, but keeping every moment wrapped in an unmistakable humanness.”
Score: 4.5/5 – Full review here

TURN UP THE VOLUME! says: A 24-hour party album and with previous LP
‘Power, Corruption & Lies‘ the very core of New Order‘s work to my ears.

TOP TRACKS: Love Vigilantes / The Perfect Kiss / Sub-Culture

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