Indie/Alternative charts

Review: In one of those unique cases where a compilation eclipses the studio albums, New Order's Substance is often considered the definitive representation of the band in their prime. It's understandable given it pulled together all their singles up to 1987, but equally they re-recorded classics like 'Confusion' and 'Temptation' so everything fitted together more naturally. As a result, Substance is a more cohesive listen than many similar offerings might be and these singles remain some of the finest to ever emerge from the UK's alternative music scene. Repressed and remastered, it's sounding better than ever.

Review: The 21st Century has been quiet thus far for New Order, with only two full albums to date, and only an out-takes compilation in the last decade. Moreover, 'Music Complete' marks their first album to date without founding bassist Peter Hook, and the return of Gillian Gilbert to the ranks. Yet from this turbulence and inertia they've somehow managed to create a collection of songs that rank as their strongest set since 'Technique' in 1989. VIbrant, upbeat and colourful, yet driven by the same mix of electronic experimentation and effortless pop suss that characterised their '80s heyday, 'Music Complete' is the sound of a timeless and unique force newly revitalised.

Review: Most of us have seen footage of New Order's celebrated performance at Alexandra Palace in 2018, a joyous and celebratory occasion that saw the Manchester legends deliver hugely entertaining performances of songs spanning the entire length of their career to date. Fans will love the rousing renditions of such classics as 'Regret', 'The Perfect Kiss' and 'Sub-Culture', while the extended takes on 'True Faith', 'Blue Monday' and 'Temptation' are every bit as engrossing and rush-inducing as the 12" studio versions of those cuts. The band's encore of a trio of Joy Division tracks is simply superb, too. With a blue-ray film of the concert plus two audio discs, Education Entertainment Recreation should be an essential addition to any New Order fan's collection.

Review: In the midst of a slew of high-end reissues of New Order's classic material (including represses of the singles, no less), here comes a mouth-watering deluxe edition of their 1985 album Low-life. It's always a bold statement to call a release 'definitive' but it's hard to imagine topping this lavish box set with a 180 gram pressing plus a double CD, double DVD and accompanying book. There are full live performances from 1985 in Japan and Belgium, and every possible remix, outtake and demo version you could possibly dream of. And that's not even saying anything about the original album itself - a true totem of 80s synth pop in all its glory.

Review: New Order's new remastered set of formats of Substance 1987 is here. The 2023 collection is here available on a double CD, among other versions including a 4xCD deluxe edition, 2xLP coloured vinyl version, and 2 cassette tapes. Also available are reissues of the 12" singles 'True Faith', 'True Faith Remix' and 'Blue Monday 88'. Originally released via the legendary Factory Records, Substance 1987 compiled all of the band's singles to that point in their 12" versions with many of their respective B-sides (on the CD and cassette versions), and specially new recorded versions of 'Temptation' and 'Confusion'. The album, of course, also included the biggest selling 12" single of all time, 'Blue Monday'.