Restless

It is understated and surprising for a new order single but to be honest I fuckin love it. Gets better with every listen. One more for the fans than the casual listener.

Much like HeySquirrelPub, I'm a regular lurker on these here forums, making visits almost daily.

Upon waking up this morning, I googled New Order under the news tab and was elated to find Restless available for listen.

Instantly, I adored the song. Mr. Sumner is singing in a lower register, which I absolutely adore. The vocals are deep in the mix, allowing the pensive melancholy of the lush instrumentation to take center stage. By the second listen, I was grinning like the Joker and singing along with glee.

So - upon checking the forums - I was surprised to see the majority of opinions expressing a sense of mild (or greater) disappointment.

And that's great! I'm happy to see New Order crafting such a polarizing song. That's not a thing they often do.

This is a tough crowd! I think it is a beautiful beginning to what should be a fantastic album. I may be biased, as Technique is my favorite album, and Dream Attack is one of my favorite songs on that album, but I think this single is simply sublime, and well worth the wait.

It's a strong return. I suppose it doesn't necessarily sound like a single but singles don't mean what they used to these days. This is more of a taster for the album. It's not exactly crying out for a remix, is it? I certainly look forward to the extended version as the music sounds superb. I'm very pleased with the production as well.

I don't mind the lyrics either, as the theme is fitting for the times. I suppose this is another reason why it might not be considered "single material". While my favourite New Order lyrics tend to be about relationships as opposed to social commentary, I don't think these should be dismissed. Are people suddenly expecting Bob Dylan and William Wordsworth? Or perhaps they'd rather Barney sing about dropping an E and having a motorway penis.

[:eek] Blown away!!! Think the album will be special

Not impressed, if this is what they've chosen to release with a slew of remixes to introduce a new album I'm dreading to think what the rest of the album sounds like, it sounds like something that wouldn't stand out on the second Electronic album or a Bad Lieutenant offcut.

Actually, the more I listen to it, the more it reminds me of Lost Sirens (which is a good thing as it is their best "album" since Technique, IMHO). But that numbing lack of direction also brings to mind Bad Lieutenant (Poisonous Intent come to mind)...

It's kinda sad, NO were really a perfect album band up to 1989, after that it was hit and miss and mostly miss. Something got broken and never fixed (I still cannot overcome the title Dracula's Castle). So, yes, I'm looking forward the new album.

Where is my Instantgrat link? Song Is on iTunes now grrr. You would think they would make the download available first to the people who have forked out £65 for a box set :/

Just downloaded HD version - 5:28 long.

Warning to anybody thinking of uploading to YouTube, there is a worldwide block in place!

Despite not really being that impressed with the YouTube release I downloaded the tune from iTunes and my impression has slightly changed.

The proper version flows a lot better as it has a better song structure.

I can detect the dream attack comparison I. The bridge "how's much do you need" ("I don't belong to no one) but can't hear any loveless in it.

I think it's a pretty standard new order track. Guitars, high end bass, lush synth strings, random lyrics etc.

Definately a slow burner. At this point is say better than WFTSC, Krafty and Hellbent but not as good as Here to Stay, Crystal or Turn.

An anyone decipher the lyrics about "took a tour ********, the frisco climate wasn't good"?

And is that Gillian on backing vocals?

thehim wrote: Where is my Instantgrat link? Song Is on iTunes now grrr. You would think they would make the download available first to the people who have forked out £65 for a box set :/

Just received the link via email. It's only mp3 though.

MP3 download is 1min longer with an extra verse - "...the fiscal climate isn't looking good..."

There are definitely subtle female backing vox on the chorus, which to my ear sound like Gillian from her TO2 stuff - this isn't one of the tracks EJ is supposed to be backing on.

What can you buy That lifts a heavy heart up to the sky? What makes your day? What miracle of life Has come to stay? A taste of love So sweet, so real you can't let go And how does it feel? It feels so good...

But how much do you need? How much, how much do you need? How much do you need? How much, how much do you need?

I want a nice car A girlfriend Who's as pretty as a star I want respect As much, as much as I can get

But how much do you need? How much, how much do you need? How much do you need? How much, how much do you need?

Restless I feel so restless And in this changing world I am lost for words

I feel so restless Ain't got no interest I couldn't care less Can't be a success

Due to current studies The fiscal climate isn't looking good Get out of town The streets are running rivers full of blood

The more I see The less, the less that I believe The more I hear The less, the less that I perceive

Restless I feel so restless And in this changing world I am lost for words

I feel so restless Ain't got no interest I couldn't care less Can't be a success

What can you buy That lifts a heavy heart up to the sky? What makes your day? What miracle of life has come to stay?

A taste of love So sweet. So real you can't let go. And how does it feel? It feels so good.

Restless I am so restless And this changing world Leaves me speechless

I am lost for words But I kept my nerve But it's not hopeless If you take rest

Barney's vocal reminds me of Behind Closed Doors (Crystal "b side") if anything.That kind of low key thing.Still not mad about the song though but i haven't downloaded the instant grat yet.

But it's NOT hopeless If you take less

Still can't work out the line before fiscal climate.

Is their a statement from the Hookster already?

is it bro wrote:

Still can't work out the line before fiscal climate.

"You took foreign studies" 😕 😕

Heard it a few times now, couple of beers and with headphones. It sounds great but tune wise trying to compare apples with apples (i.e. post Republic) to me it's not up there with Crystal or Krafty as a lead single. But maybe that's the point, singles now are meaningless. It's a taster of the album nothing more. I remember when Twisted Tenderness came out and they put a taster song on an NME free disc (Haze maybe?) and I was not that impressed. Album after a few listens was very good. That others really like Restless is a good sign :)

Igor wrote:

is it bro wrote:

Still can't work out the line before fiscal climate.

"You took foreign studies" 😕 😕

Could be "You took..." but sounds like "Due to...", which doesn't make much sense (shocker!). Definitely "...current studies", though.

is it bro wrote: But it's NOT hopeless If you take less

Still can't work out the line before fiscal climate.

I'm hearing "But it's not helpless if you take risks"

Might be incorrect but it makes sense.

Fotzepolitic wrote:

is it bro wrote: But it's NOT hopeless If you take less

Still can't work out the line before fiscal climate.

I'm hearing "But it's not helpless if you take risks"

Might be incorrect but it makes sense.

But can you buy honey with money?

Rorschach wrote: I remember the first time I listened to Technique.

I went into college the next day & said "7/10. Not bad but not brilliant." :-/

It very quickly, rightly and permanently became my favourite album of all time.

First impressions can bite you - it'll be funny reading these assessments again in a year or two...

True. And even before that, when Fine Time came out I thought the LP was going to be a bit wacky. It didn't exactly portend the strength of the songwriting on Technique. If the band's work ethic had been better that summer, perhaps Fine Time would have continued the non-LP single tradition.

As it stands, New Order may just be following the Rob Gretton philosophy of not releasing the best track as the first single, "...because where do you go from there?".

Described in today's metro as Johnny Marr meets the pet shop boys , New orders chugging along new single. That's the first time I've heard a new , new order song on me phone progress. Be a success

Andy wrote:

Rorschach wrote: I remember the first time I listened to Technique.

I went into college the next day & said "7/10. Not bad but not brilliant." :-/

It very quickly, rightly and permanently became my favourite album of all time.

First impressions can bite you - it'll be funny reading these assessments again in a year or two...

True. And even before that, when Fine Time came out I thought the LP was going to be a bit wacky. It didn't exactly portend the strength of the songwriting on Technique. If the band's work ethic had been better that summer, perhaps Fine Time would have continued the non-LP single tradition.

As it stands, New Order may just be following the Rob Gretton philosophy of not releasing the best track as the first single, "...because where do you go from there?".

But if you take that line of thinking, if you think what you've heard so far is shite, why would you want to buy an album of the same? I'm hoping the rest of the album is going to be a lot better, I'm going to the Brixton show and I know N.O.can be contrary when it comes to live shows so if they're going to do an evening of mostly new stuff, I hope its going to be semi-decent.

Hi, I used to post here around 2005-2007, but lost my login after the forum updates. Still check the topics from time to time, and I'm glad there's new music to discuss.

I think Restless is really good, and it does remind me a lot of Technique, especially the synth tones and blend of acoustic and electric guitars. There's an effortless quality to it, whereas WFTSC on the whole felt quite labored, even in its highlights. For late Barney lyrics they aren't half bad either. I see it as told from the perspective of disgruntled youths growing up under Cameron / Osborne austerity. The chords and driving rhythm recall both Dream Attack and Tighten Up. I really like the mix; there are many instrumental flourishes without the song ever feeling claustrophobic. (In particular I'm relishing the active hi hat work on Steve's acoustic kit.) Noting here that the bass is more modern and American sounding -- all of Hooky's chorus effects have been deliberately dropped, even if the verse register gives the bass a 'lead' section. Favorite instrumental moment in the Youtube mix is those synth strings at 3:02-3:04. And finally, Barney sounds much more comfortable in his wizened older man voice -- things had been getting a bit honky here and there since 2001.

I know when hearing new music by Bernard and co. there's an air among New Order fans of, "Are we just being charitable about any half decent effort, when we're all pining for some exclamatory, seismic hit?" but I don't feel like I'm trying to like Restless. I think it's rather immediate, direct yet thoughtful, and very pretty all around. It's not a classic, but it sounds close enough to optimal New Order that it's refreshing, instead of mimicking contrivances like "Jet Stream" and the like.

Ken Doherty wrote:

Andy wrote:

Rorschach wrote: I remember the first time I listened to Technique.

I went into college the next day & said "7/10. Not bad but not brilliant." :-/

It very quickly, rightly and permanently became my favourite album of all time.

First impressions can bite you - it'll be funny reading these assessments again in a year or two...

True. And even before that, when Fine Time came out I thought the LP was going to be a bit wacky. It didn't exactly portend the strength of the songwriting on Technique. If the band's work ethic had been better that summer, perhaps Fine Time would have continued the non-LP single tradition.

As it stands, New Order may just be following the Rob Gretton philosophy of not releasing the best track as the first single, "...because where do you go from there?".

But if you take that line of thinking, if you think what you've heard so far is shite, why would you want to buy an album of the same? I'm hoping the rest of the album is going to be a lot better, I'm going to the Brixton show and I know N.O.can be contrary when it comes to live shows so if they're going to do an evening of mostly new stuff, I hope its going to be semi-decent.

I haven't said I don't like it (I do, and have purchased the track), nor have said I won't buy the album.

So I soaked it in today, 20 plus listens on the drive from my house to Philadelphia for work. After many listens, I can truthfully say I like it. The lyrics could be stronger, in fact, during one listen, I tried re-writing a few couplets to see if I could improve them. Musically, it is an established act playing to its strengths - Steve's drum work, as someone else noted, is really good especially the hi-hat work; Bernard and Phil's mix of acoustic and electric guitars does recall elements of Bad Loo, but also hearken back to Technique in some ways; the strings are a nice polished addition to the mix; and finally Gillian's keyboard work and programming meshes well into the final mix. It has a lot going on in it for sure, but would echo earlier comments that it does not feel claustrophobic at all. As for me, the outro is brilliant -- it really soars and has an energy to it that portends well for the album as a whole in my opinion.

As for the "Is it a single?" debate, I for one no longer believe in the myth of a big lead single in the current music model, especially with established bands like New Order. They have an established market and new listens come in different ways, i.e. not from music videos or traditional radio play. You seek out music you like and check things that seem interesting to you whether its via Spotify, Apple Music or some other music streaming service. A new track from New Order will get spun on various 'stations' or recommended new mixes for consumers. The band chose a song and put it into the world -- call it a single or an InstantGrat track to appease the hardcore fan's interest. I look at other established artists such as The Cure, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, etc. Can anyone really name their last singles? Probably not, because the single simply does not matter anymore.

To the casual fan, this song has the hallmarks of a New Order track....and it's new, so that alone may pique their interest. All of us already pre-ordered the album, the band need not worry about us. Of course, they want us to like it, to share it, to tweet about it. I have and will. As for the album, we will all find that favorite track -- even the people who hated WFTSC found that one track. I'll take a new album with solid music from my favorite band any day over something else.

Hope everyone enjoys the music that coming. Cheers all....it's nice to see a revived board!

Joe

I really like it after a few listens. Easily better than anything off WFTSC. The car/girlfriend line does annoy me slightly but there has been much worse. The production is pretty good too, classic NO sounds meshing really well and another round of applause for Steve, bloody great drum work!

I must admit i'm a bit concerned about the 'dance' production on some of the rest of the album, it may be fine in context but some of those snippets sounded a bit too plastic. If you know what i mean?! Wish they'd break out the old analog synths. That shit low synth hum, used on this track at the start and liberally on WFTSC is crap!!

Apart from that though, all good! Sure it'll be fine!

No ones really mentioned Hooky much, would it be much better with him on it? I don't really think it would sound massively different, maybe just a slightly louder chorusier bass! I'd love to know what he makes of it.

Rorschach wrote: There are definitely subtle female backing vox on the chorus, which to my ear sound like Gillian from her TO2 stuff - this isn't one of the tracks EJ is supposed to be backing on.

Well she favourited this tweet.

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