It’s been three-and-a-half decades since Joy Division dissolved following the death of Ian Curtis and the surviving members formed New Order. Even with original bassist Pete Hook still estranged, the super-influential dance group has refused to fade into history. Their first studio album of new material in a decade drops in September, and today (July 28) they’ve shared the lead single from the LP titled Music Complete.
The song’s called “Restless,” though the sound of it is anything but. It’s tepid, restrained, and a little blasé, never wandering outside the rhythmic groove of Stephen Morris’ drums and a totally-not-Pete-Hook-bassline from current bassist Tom Chapman. At one point, vocalist-guitarist Bernard Sumner spouts the couplet, “I want a nice car / a girlfriend who’s as pretty as a star.” If “Restless” is any indicator for the rest of Music Complete, the album will be nestled firmly on the rock side of New Order’s extensive catalog.
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They’ve also shared a 15-second teaser for the album, which is out Sept. 25 on Mute. It will feature collaborations from Iggy Pop and the Killers’ Brandon Flowers.
Outside of Joy Divisioners Sumner and Morris, New Order’s current lineup also includes original member Gillian Gilbert, along with Chapman and Phil Cunningham. Their official Facebook page goes as far as to list Hook under “Ex members.”
This is New Order’s first album of new material following Hook’s departure. Back in 2013, they released a b-sides collection called Lost Sirens, comprised of outtakes from their last studio effort, 2005’s Waiting For the Sirens’ Call.