What do you want the new album to sound like and what do you expect?

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.

very unimpressed with lost sirens and i hope that the new albun does not sound like bad lieutenant......with gillian back in the band ..do they really need phil cunningham now? or is it because bernard is too lazy...lol

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!

You don't want much do you, Sage? Bit wary when I hear they want to make a synth album as it calls to mind Guilt Is A Useless Emotion or Here To Stay which were both pretty flat and uninspiring for me.

The goth contingent used to follow New Order? Don't remember that.

And Julio, who's "Bernie" ?

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.

What do I expect if they actually make a new album as New Order? Maybe an extension of Sirens and Never Cry Another Tear. I assume a new album would be simple guitar songs with some backing keyboards, beats in the background of the mix, with rhyming cliche lyrics about some vague guy told from the second person. Maybe a few awkward attempts at mid 80s dance pop songs ruined with horrible female backing vocals.

Now would they have a producer driven album? In which a lot of the actual music is written/"played" by the producer, more like "Guilt Is a Useless Emotion" and more like Depeche Mode for example? To make a more "electronic" album, I think Bernard would need a lot of help at this stage in his career.

Lyrically, I think that Bernard needs some more introspective lyrics... he has done the "hey you, some guy there" songs to the point of self parody. Or Bernard could write an album full of hate songs about Hooky, that would be some real emotion. Bernard could write songs about Ian, Gretton, Wilson, Hooky, getting old, not getting laid enough, woman he fucked up with instead of fucking, self loathing, etc... a new album could be a rock opera about his life!

I think they need to up the synths simply to compensate for the lack of Hooky noise going on. Otherwise what is it? Bog standard guitar pop? 😴

Just a thought; they wouldnt get that new lad to make his bass sound like Hooky

Would they?

Coops wrote: I think they need to up the synths simply to compensate for the lack of Hooky noise going on. Otherwise what is it? Bog standard guitar pop? 😴

Just a thought; they wouldnt get that new lad to make his bass sound like Hooky

Would they?

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

Nothing stopped Bernard and Steve from creating what they wanted as Bad Lieutenant but the results were not to my liking. No, not at all. So just changing the name back to New Order doesn't mean they miraculously will get more creative juices flowing. And that's the problem.

I'm one of the few who actually likes Sumner's lyrical primitivism of recent years. Yes, it's obtuse, but hey now... To be more introspective one has to have personal or relationship problems. It seems he's quite content with his life currently, which compels him to address lyrically another person who does have problems (hence, "hey you"...).

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.

I really love Gillians voice - I think she's a far better singer than she gives herself credit for. Not that I'm trying to do Bernard out of a job mind. Would like her to sing more than she does at the moment. Will be interesting to see how a new album pans out

Thanks again wrote: You don't want much do you, Sage? Bit wary when I hear they want to make a synth album as it calls to mind Guilt Is A Useless Emotion or Here To Stay which were both pretty flat and uninspiring for me.

The goth contingent used to follow New Order? Don't remember that.

And Julio, who's "Bernie" ?

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

will sound like bad lieutenants second album

Digi Mike Le Creuset Binoche wrote:

Thanks again wrote: You don't want much do you, Sage? Bit wary when I hear they want to make a synth album as it calls to mind Guilt Is A Useless Emotion or Here To Stay which were both pretty flat and uninspiring for me.

The goth contingent used to follow New Order? Don't remember that.

And Julio, who's "Bernie" ?

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

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

This is Bernie!

It will be bad lieutenant with extra synth and less bass.

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.

JoanneB wrote: I really love Gillians voice - I think she's a far better singer than she gives herself credit for. Not that I'm trying to do Bernard out of a job mind. Would like her to sing more than she does at the moment. Will be interesting to see how a new album pans out

when is it coming out?

I personally cannot wait to add the new album to my growing collection of new order albums.

UpDownTurnAround wrote: It will be bad lieutenant with extra synth and less bass.

Is it possible to have less bass than Bad Loot? [eek3]

neil larkcom wrote: will sound like bad lieutenants second album

Lost Other Tears?

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

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

Let's hope it is very good, I hope they don't tour that much this year and concentrate on making the album and I don't want to read any more interviews by them , talking about the new album, I just want to hear it when it comes out and leave some surprise to it instead giving it away in interviews, hope it had good synths and good music on it.

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

Sage_ wrote: 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)

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 Barny'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.

Reunion - they didn't leave

Linus Solanki wrote: Let's hope it is very good.

Well I for one certainly second that Linus.

I'd like to hear a mixed bag. Sublime catchy high tempo guitar pop in the regret, crystal mould. Dark broody synth heavy tracks like sunrise and this time of night. Slow downbeat numbers like ruined in a day, run wild and recoil (one of the best things they've ever done).

But if they write a rock the shock, working overtime track then I hope it stays off the album. And if any songs start "hey" or "what you doing" then Someone (Tom?) needs to scratch out the lyrics and rewrite them.

Maybe an ambient or instruental track in the elegia, avalanche mode too. Would also like to hear more Gillian vocals.

Also, if any dancy numbers are to be recorded then I hope they get a decent producer in. GIAUE mix was lame on album but remixes were great.

Also hopefully it won't be over produced and have too much sheen.

That's my two bobs worth.

Hope they produce it themselves, make electronic album and it's kept quite raw like PC&L.

Thinking about it, this lack of Hooky noise could be a problem. I cant imagine they'd let/make that new lad play the same way as the Hookmeister, its just asking for trouble from every angle. So I dont know just how they're going to make it sound like New Order and not just Bad Electronic Other Two.

We need some clapping.

I hope they rework each song to get a clapping section in there for the live shows.

Could be their new trademark, with the bass sound gone now.

Oh, and a cowbell would be nice too.

El Jarvo wrote: We need some clapping.

I hope they rework each song to get a clapping section in there for the live shows.

Could be their new trademark, with the bass sound gone now.

Oh, and a cowbell would be nice too.

I agree Al, we need clapping, the clapping in True Faith and Temptation is sublime and really adds a Top of the Pops feel to the gigs. As for the Cowbell no one plays it quite like Barney.