New Order
Low-Life [Definitive Edition]
RHINO
Low-Life, alongside their single “Shellshock” from the Pretty in Pink soundtrack, helped launch New Order into mainstream success during the mid-’80s. It's the record that established the new wave group’s sound that’s still associated with them today, and set them apart from their previous life as Ian Curtis’ backing band in Joy Division—the machine-like syncopation of Stephen Morris, the techno-inspired rhythm of Peter Hook, the sweet, arpeggiated synth riffs of Gillian Gilbert, and the deceivingly light vocals of Bernard Summer. It’s also the group's first cohesive album from start to finish—where Movement and Power, Corruption & Lies occasionally stagnated, Low-Life excelled. Not a single track disrupts the album’s flow.
This latest reissue, though, packs a healthy portion of demos and session recordings, including 14 bonus tracks in total. Its standout bonus release, the “Skullcrusher” demo, sounds like Joy Division–era songwriting and shows a real-time example of the group trying to refine their sound. You can also find early demos of hit singles “The Perfect Kiss” and “Love Vigilantes” and alternate versions of “Sooner Than You Think” and “Elegia,” which help illustrate how each track developed from inception to its final form. The box set includes even more goodies, like a previously unreleased performance at the Manhattan Club in Belgium, a BBC session at the Hacienda in Manchester, and a hardcover book containing rare photos and interviews.
The most compelling side of Low-Life, however, can only be found when you move beyond its saccharine, rhythmic veneer. Underneath its deceptively light sheen, there’s a surprisingly dark lyrical layer to these songs. “Perfect Kiss” is a tale of a troubled soul who’s stuck on a death-driven path to self-destruction (thought to be about Curtis), and “Love Vigilantes” (with a “Love Me Do” harmonica reference in tow) is the account of a man who wants to see his family again, only to realize he’s no longer living. The juxtaposition between Low-Life’s pop sensibilities and macabre lyricism is quintessential New Order, making this record a must-listen for those who want to dive into their oeuvre.
