Hi guys, I'd like to see what everyone thinks about this. What the new album should be like and logically what it could sound like.

First off, Gillian's around this time, so maybe we'll get more of an earthy, synth-laced sound? I hope her vocals feature again. I remember reading I think it was a year ago that she'd been practicing and brushing up for a project that we didn't see the end of. and I for one quite enjoyed her voice and singing style on The Other Two's albums.
Maybe she could have a verse, or some backing/support vocals, or an entire song even? Preferably not limited to one single word this time though. ('Faith' in Republic's Avalanche)

Next Tom and Phil are around. Now I hope this doesn't mean the album will have a Bad Loo feel to it as I don't care for the rock sound, both materialistically and musically.
but maybe the music will be a bit more advanced since they'll want to have something to do on stage?

Peter's gone, but I hope the album isn't lacking his presence. Chuck in some bold, iconic Peter Hook-style basslines I say.
Don't have them softly in the background like the last couple albums, I want to hear them loud and clear.


We all know New Order are together now as part of a reunion. They've done the reunion tour and freshened up the minds and hearts of long time fans.
but will this be a reunion album? (If that's such a thing.)
I hope it is.
A rebirth of the New Order we know.
Having some new sounds is great, it's the reason they're doing the album, but I hope there's a nice nostalgic helping to accommodate the world tour they did last year.
I'd love to see everyone re-learn why they fell in love with the band.

Lyrically, they need to up the ante.
No silly lyrics.
Californian Grass, Dracula's Castle, Rock the Shack, Jetstream, Every Second Counts. None of that please.
I hope there's more of a serious feel to the music and lyrics.
Go back to the dark lyrics of lost love and being an outsider. Remember when NO was enjoyed by the goth community?
No "old man" lyrics about waking up and going to work. That's not artistic enough.
The dark lyrics along with the dancey rhythm conflicts so very well, in such an iconic manner that's hard to find these days.
and please don't say "hey man" at all.
I'm sure between the five of them, they can come up with something that isn't laughable.

I'd prefer if they lent more towards a British style than American. (Language, references, accents.)
and there MUST be deadpan vocals, atleast on one track.

I think they should scrap everything from the past 20 years. Except maybe Bernard's Republic and Raise the Pressure style of singing.
Aswell as the tweaks and new bits they've done in live performances. Love those. (Broken beats, loud glitchy synth sounds, etc.)
And Barney's vocals MUST have reverb. If only just a little bit.
I honestly think Lost Sirens would sound better if there was a bit on his voice there.

Maybe have varying degrees? Heaps on a couple tracks, just a little on others.

I hope the album overall has a varied feel to it.

A guest appearance or two would be nice, but only if the album is of decent length. (Though I'd make an exception on that for the Chemical Brothers since the last two collaborations were so sublime.)
And I hope it is. Wouldn't it be great to have a big, 15-20 tracks? Even if there's an instrumental and a couple of interlude songs.
Though I don't really expect to see that. (A big album)

With Steve I wish they have his classic JD, quick drums and cymbals sound on a few of the tracks. and of course other drum pad beats.
I've read he collects old analog synthesizers. Repairs them and tinkers with them, and they apparently have interesting sounds because some of them are still half broken.
I'd love to hear this kind of thing on the album.
I really hope they enjoy themselves and experiment a little. (Aswell as getting a couple core tracks down, of course.)

For the overall sound, like I said before it'd be nice if it varied between new and old.
If you listen to the latest Human League album for example, it has modern elements mixed with retro-sounding elements. It creates music that sounds fresh but can be listened to back-to-back with the old albums with little transition.
I didn't really think that could be done before I heard that album.
The Pet Shop Boys do something roughly similar aswell. If you listen to their latest album they have very modern sounding tracks, but then they spring an 80's sample on you and it just sounds great without taking too much away from the fact that it's a new song.

I say, if we wanted a CD that sounded like it was made by a new band with no knowledge or respect of the past, then we'd look into actual new artists.
New Order are the pioneers of new wave as far as I'm concerned. and they should make use of that.

One last thing, I hope there's a slow song on the album. Like Vicious Streak or the opening verses of Californian Grass.


I hope this post doesn't just come across as a drunken rant to Santa Claus, but I'm glad to get this out there anyway.

Let us know what you want the new album to sound like. Be as vague or specific as you like.

If anyone knows what Phil & Tom are into EDM-wise, I'd like to see some light shed onto that.


Update: As I'm sure other people have said, only Bernard, Steve & Gillian will be recording the album. Chapman & Cunningham won't influence the album directly.
So it's basically The Other Two with Barney.

Edited by user 09 February 2013 18:20:06(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Bernie will never ever let Gillian sing any song on a New order album m8!

If he can produce something like Raise the Pressure by Electronic I would be satisfied!

1). Agree on better lyrics. Though not NO, my #1 irritant is Miracle Cure's, "And then one day later, I started to shave." WHAAAAAAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!
2). Solid, full sound unlike BL / NCAT.
3). A few songs synonoumous with the NO pre-Get Ready sound.
4). Saville cover.

Other than that, I am just happy they are doing it.

If they aped Peter Hook style basslines on any new material they would invite all sorts of commentary that they can't move on without him and it would hang like an albatross around their necks.

Not to mention Hooky himself would probably have a field day laying into them in interview about it; remember the "Round & Round" miming accusations?

I'm sure the band have thought about this and would be surprised if any new material features that bass sound.

I think Bernard is sick of that bass sound... he probably just wants a standard boring bass player buried back in the mix.

Let Tom write whatever he feels is appropriate for the songs. If it sounds like Hooky, well, so bloody what? If it sound sgood - thats what matter.

He's from Brazil Johnny, it explains a lot!

Fortunately, I am from sunny Brazil ya engleeich old bastard!

This is Bernie!

I think they might make heavy electronica type of album. It's kinda tricky because that bass sound is very much their signature sound. If they're going to reinvent themselves I think we will be hearing a bit less of that in the future.

To make an electonic record they are going to need some help. Again a it's bit tricky. Will they make a retro sounding album that would appeal to the fanbase or will they try and do something a bit fresh and up to date?.

I think the next album should be somewhere in between. They need to bring people in who know what NO are all about and also understand dance music. Stuart Price is one name but I think it would be interesting if someone like Hot Chip's Joe Goddard got involved. I would like NO to produce it but these guys could help them find their groove.

Is it possible to have less bass than Bad Loot?

Would love to hear Gillian's voice more in this next one.

Personally, I'd like programmed bass tracks not live.

I know there has not been much light shed on this but i hope it sounds like New Order

Well I for one certainly second that Linus.