New Order Low-Life
New Order Low-Life cover

New Order have announced the release of the definitive edition of their 1985 studio album Low-Life. It’s scheduled for release on 27 January 2023.

The collection includes an LP (180g), x2CDs, x2DVDs, a book and features unreleased rare material across the different formats and new sleeve designs.

CD 2 contains previously unreleased mixes and alternative versions, including Love Vigilantes and Sub-Culture instrumentals, Sooner Than You Think Full Length Unedited.

New Order, 1985. Photo by Geoff Campbell

The two DVDs include an unreleased performance from The Manhattan Club, Belgium and rarely seen footage from Rotterdam Arena (Netherlands), International Centre (Toronto, Canada) and a BBC filmed Whistle Test at The Hacienda, 1985.

The 180g vinyl LP will be wrapped in its original ‘heavyweight tracing paper’, designed by Peter Saville. In addition the CD will also be wrapped in the same way for the first time ever.

Also included in the set is a beautifully presented hardback book featuring rare photos and a new interview with all band members.

In addition to the boxset, New Order are also releasing the 12” singles including a limited edition version of The Perfect Kiss pressed on Crystal Clear vinyl in a ‘mirror sleeve’. Sub-Culture’s plain black (no label) sleeve has also been updated with a new design, incorporating the original concept.

New Order, 1985. Photo by Kevin Cummins

Peter Saville says of The Perfect Kiss: “The mirror finish for The Perfect Kiss sleeve was the idea at the time [1985] that unfortunately was not realised. I have wanted to see it ever since. The original concept was intended to evoke the reflective glamour of a lipstick (re Perfect Kiss) in a minimal/pop art style. The Perfect Kiss in this form will be transformative and a must-have for fans and collectors alike”.

Peter Saville says of Sub-Culture: “LABEL ONLY was specified in 1985 due to time pressure around the original release and as a consequence, a sleeve design for the re-release has no actual precedent. However, exploring the principle ‘the solution is in the problem’ has led to the subliminal evocation of a sleeve that is still LABEL ONLY.”

Low-Life was recorded in 1984 at Jam and Britannia Row Studios and produced by New Order.

TRACKLISTING AND FORMATS

12” Singles

  • Sub-Culture (with updated sleeve)
  • Shellshock
  • The Perfect Kiss
  • The Perfect Kiss D2C exclusive (Crystal Clear vinyl & Mirror Sleeve) – limited to 5000 only available via com

LP 180g Vinyl

Side one

  1. Love Vigilantes
  2. The Perfect Kiss
  3. This Time of Night
  4. Sunrise

Side two

  1. Elegia
  2. Sooner Than You Think
  3. Sub-Culture
  4. Face Up

CD1 

  1. Love Vigilantes
  2. The Perfect Kiss
  3. This Time Of Night
  4. Sunrise
  5. Elegia
  6. Sooner Than You Think
  7. Sub-Culture
  8. Face Up

CD2: Extras

  1. Love Vigilantes – TV Pitch Instrumental Edit (mono)
  2. The Perfect Kiss – Writing Session Recording
  3. Untitled no. 1 – Writing Session Recording
  4. Sunrise – Instrumental Rough Mix **
  5. Elegia – Full Length Version *
  6. Sooner Than You Think – Album Session Unedited Version
  7. Sub-Culture – Album Session Early Instrumental Version
  8. Face Up – Writing Session Recording
  9. Let’s Go – Album Session Instrumental
  10. Untitled no. 2 – Writing Session Recording
  11. Sunrise – Writing Session Recording
  12. Love Vigilantes – Writing Session Recording
  13. Sooner Than You Think – Writing Session Recording
  14. Skullcrusher – Demo

All tracks previously unreleased except * and ** (previously unreleased on CD and Digital)

 

DVD1

Live in Tokyo

The Koseinenkin Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1985

 

  1. Confusion
  2. Love Vigilantes
  3. We All Stand
  4. As It Is When It Was
  5. Sub-Culture
  6. Face Up
  7. Sunrise
  8. This Time Of Night
  9. Blue Monday

 

Live in Rotterdam

The Rotterdam Arena, Netherlands 1985

 

  1. As It Is When It Was
  2. Everything’s Gone Green*
  3. Sub-Culture*
  4. Ceremony*
  5. Let’s Go*
  6. This Time Of Night*
  7. The Village
  8. The Perfect Kiss*
  9. Age Of Consent*
  10. Sunrise
  11. Temptation*
  12. Face Up*

 

Live in Manchester

Whistle Test, The Hacienda 1985

 

  1. As It Is When It Was
  2. Sunrise
  3. Face Up – Restored version using available footage from The Hacienda Dec ‘85 and July ‘85.

 

DVD2

Live in Leuven

The Manhattan Club, Leuven, Belgium 1985

 

  1. Let’s Go*
  2. The Perfect Kiss*
  3. Age Of Consent*
  4. State Of The Nation*
  5. As It Is When It Was*
  6. The Village*
  7. Sub-Culture*
  8. Atmosphere*
  9. Blue Monday*

 

Bonus Tracks

  1. Thieves Like Us*
  2. Temptation*
  3. Confusion – Restored version from damaged tape with mixing desk audio.*

 

Live in Toronto

Filmed by Paul Boyd

The International Centre, Toronto, Canada 1985

 

  1. Elegia*
  2. Sub-Culture*
  3. The Village*
  4. Sunrise*
  5. We All Stand
  6. As It Is When It Was*
  7. Love Vigilantes*
  8. 586*
  9. Age Of Consent
  10. Temptation
  11. Ceremony*
  12. The Perfect Kiss*

 

The Perfect Film

Rehearsal Room, Cheetham Hill, Manchester 1985

  1. The Perfect Kiss

 

*unreleased