Music Complete
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Music Complete is the tenth studio album by English rock band New Order. It was released on 25 September 2015 by Mute Records, their first album on the label.[5] The album features guest vocals from Elly Jackson of La Roux, Iggy Pop and Brandon Flowers.
During the summer of 2014, New Order promoted the album through online media, at Lollapalooza Chile with two songs, "Singularity" and "Plastic", and 30-second snippets released directly onto their official YouTube account. It was announced that Gillian Gilbert was returning to the band, but with Tom Chapman taking Peter Hook's place as bassist.
The album itself, through general media, is more electronic than its predecessors, and their first album of new material in a decade. The cover art was designed by long-time collaborator Peter Saville, which comprises a montage of lines with four colour schemes: red, yellow, green, and blue, which varies in pattern depending on the package.
Music Complete was released on CD, both clear and black vinyl LP, and digital download on 25 September 2015, with a 8LP deluxe box set released on 20 November 2015. The album received generally favourable reviews, and holds a Metascore of 76 on review aggregator Metacritic. A tour in support of the album ran from 4 November 2015 through 20 December 2015.
Background
Music Complete pursues a more electronic direction than New Order's previous two albums, which had been more guitar-based.[6] This is the first album without former bassist Peter Hook, as well as the recorded debut of Tom Chapman and the return of Gillian Gilbert, who had taken leave from the band in 2001, but toured with them in 2013. Guest backing vocals are provided by Denise Johnson and Dawn Zee, who has performed with the band on their last three albums.
In March and July 2014, the band revealed their first new songs on tour at Lollapalooza Chile and in the United States: "Plastic" and "Singularity".[7][8]
On 2 and 4 September 2014, Billboard, along with Stereogum and Consequence of Sound reported that New Order had signed on to Mute Records and that future releases were expected, at the time planned to be EPs which would then be "probably put together as an album." Billboard also announced Bernard Sumner's autobiography, Chapter and Verse, which was released on 24 September of the same year.[9][10][11]
On 22 June, the official New Order site announced the release date and title of the album, Music Complete. The website also provided terms of distribution: CD, digital download, and limited edition clear vinyl, along with an exclusive 8-piece deluxe vinyl collection that includes the album plus extended versions of all 11 tracks on coloured vinyl.[12]
On 22 June, 30 June, and 7 July, the official New Order YouTube channel uploaded three separate teasers that included snippets of music from the album.[13][14][15]
On 29 July, "Restless" was released as the first single for the album.[16] On 19 October, "Tutti Frutti" was released as the album's second single. A third single, "Singularity", was released 18 March 2016.[17]
Promotion
Packaging
The artwork for Music Complete was created by New Order's long-time art director and collaborator Peter Saville. The artwork features a montage of lines with the colours red, yellow, green and blue. Depending on the type of format, the colour schemes vary. For the CD, the pattern clockwise from top right is yellow, red, blue, green. The LPs are red, yellow, green, and blue. Digital downloads are the regular format; blue, green, red, and yellow. The deluxe edition's artwork is the same as the album, but all six coloured vinyl sleeves are different styles, and have no colour. The six coloured vinyl range from red to purple.[18][19][20][21][22][23]
Release
Music Complete was released on 25 September in five different formats: CD, regular and limited-edition double-clear LP, digital download, and an 8-piece deluxe vinyl box set. All CD and LP orders come with MP3 and audio downloads of the album. The deluxe box set includes the clear double LP, along with extended versions of all 11 tracks on six different coloured vinyl. The box set was released on 6 November 2015.
Complete Music
The extended versions of all tracks, originally exclusive to the deluxe vinyl box set, have been compiled into a new version of the album titled Complete Music. Complete Music is to be released on CD and digital formats on 13 May 2016.[24] The cover features the same geometric design with a modified colour palette. Of the release, Bernard Sumner explained that "We’ve given [the music] to different mixers, and they’ve chopped it up and rearranged it and stripped it back, so it’s like another take on the original album[...] Some of [the songs] are radically different, but rather than like a remixer who would write a new set of music, they used the music that we’d already incorporated in the songs, but warped it in a way that was very interesting.."[25]
Reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 76/100[26] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [4] |
The A.V. Club | B[27] |
Consequence of Sound | A–[28] |
The Guardian | [29] |
Mixmag | 8/10[1] |
Mojo | [30] |
The Observer | [31] |
Pitchfork Media | 7.2/10[32] |
Q | [33] |
Rolling Stone | [34] |
Music Complete received generally positive reviews from critics, with a 76 out of 100 based on 21 reviews on Metacritic, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".[26]
Mixmag's S. Worthy in a 8/10 review described the record as "an album of outstanding pop, shuddering dance-rock and intricate electronic moods.[1] Barry Walters of Rolling Stone wrote: "Just as Curtis' suicide inspired his bandmates to reinvent themselves as New Order in 1980, Hook's departure frees them to create their most varied and substantial work in decades."[34]Pitchfork critic T. Cole Rachel commented in a 7.2/10 review that the album sounds like "classic New Order" and wrote: "Music Complete certainly doesn’t do anything to diminish New Order’s formidable legacy, but it doesn’t necessarily expand upon it either."[32] Concluding a less favourable 1 of 5 star review, Truck & Driver wrote: "...full of soggy, uninspired self-indulgent material that sounds like a mish-mash of 80s B-sides. Save your money."[35]
Accolades
Publication | Accolade | Year | Rank |
---|---|---|---|
The Guardian | The Best Albums of 2015 | 2015 | 22[36]
|
NME | NME's Albums of the Year 2015 | 2015 | 48[37]
|
Track listing
All tracks are written by New Order, except where noted
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Restless" | 5:28 | |
2. | "Singularity" |
| 5:37 |
3. | "Plastic" | 6:55 | |
4. | "Tutti Frutti" (featuring Elly Jackson) | 6:22 | |
5. | "People on the High Line" (featuring Elly Jackson) | 5:41 | |
6. | "Stray Dog" (featuring Iggy Pop) | 6:17 | |
7. | "Academic" | 5:54 | |
8. | "Nothing but a Fool" | 7:43 | |
9. | "Unlearn This Hatred" |
| 4:19 |
10. | "The Game" | 5:06 | |
11. | "Superheated" (featuring Brandon Flowers) |
| 5:04 |
Total length: | 64:36 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
12. | "Restless" (Extended Bonus Mix) | 7:09 |
Total length: | 71:45 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Restless" (Extended Mix) | 9:30 | |
2. | "Singularity" (Extended Mix) |
| 7:34 |
3. | "Plastic" (Extended Mix) | 9:07 | |
4. | "Tutti Frutti" (Extended Mix) (featuring Elly Jackson) | 8:05 | |
5. | "People on the High Line" (Extended Mix) (featuring Elly Jackson) | 7:52 | |
6. | "Stray Dog" (Extended Mix) (featuring Iggy Pop) | 6:31 | |
7. | "Academic" (Extended Mix) | 8:57 | |
8. | "Nothing but a Fool" (Extended Mix) | 9:32 | |
9. | "Unlearn This Hatred" (Extended Mix) |
| 5:26 |
10. | "The Game" (Extended Mix) | 7:25 | |
11. | "Superheated" (Extended Mix) (featuring Brandon Flowers) |
| 7:39 |
Total length: | 87:38 |
Tour
The band embarked on an initial tour in support of Music Complete from 4 November 2015 to 20 December 2015, with tour dates held across Europe and the UK plus stops at the Clockenflap festival in Hong Kong and the Day for Night Festival in the United States.[38] Future tour plans include the 2016 Sónar Festival in Barcelona.[39]
Personnel
New Order
Musician credits for New Order are not listed in the liner notes of the album's personnel. Below are the instruments that the group typically plays.
- Bernard Sumner – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesisers
- Stephen Morris – drums and percussion, keyboards, synthesisers, drum programming
- Gillian Gilbert – keyboards, synthesisers
- Phil Cunningham – guitars, keyboards, synthesisers, electronic percussion
- Tom Chapman – bass, backing vocals, synthesisers
ProductionThe liner notes list the album's personnel as follows:
|
Strings
Technical
|
Charts
Chart (2015) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA)[40] | 20 |
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[41] | 26 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[42] | 22 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[43] | 11 |
Croatian Albums (HDU)[44] | 36 |
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)[45] | 23 |
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[46] | 26 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[47] | 10 |
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[48] | 39 |
French Albums (SNEP)[49] | 19 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[50] | 14 |
Irish Albums (IRMA)[51] | 6 |
Irish Independent Albums (IRMA)[52] | 2 |
Italian Albums (FIMI)[53] | 58 |
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[54] | 37 |
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[55] | 24 |
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[56] | 30 |
Scottish Albums (OCC)[57] | 2 |
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[58] | 17 |
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[59] | 14 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[60] | 19 |
UK Albums (OCC)[61] | 2 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[62] | 1 |
US Billboard 200[63] | 34 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[64] | 5 |
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[65] | 7 |
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[66] | 8 |
References
- ^ a b c Worthy, S. (18 September 2015). "New Order 'Music Complete' (MUTE)". Mixmag. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
- ^ Grow, Kory (23 September 2015). "Inside New Order's Triumphant Return to Dance-Rock". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- ^ McAuliffe, Colm (16 September 2015). "New Order's Stephen Morris talks Music Complete". The Skinny. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- ^ a b Sendra, Tim (25 September 2015). "Music Complete – New Order". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
- ^ "Watch A Teaser For New Order's New Album Music Complete". Stereogum. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
- ^ "The Quietus | Features | A Quietus Interview | Unfinished Business: New Order Interviewed". The Quietus. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ^ Dart, Chris. "New Order debut new song, 'Plastic,' at show in Chicago". music.cbc.ca. CBC. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ Hudson, Alex (17 March 2014). "New Order Announce North American Summer Tour, Play Vancouver". exclaim.ca. Exclaim!. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ Smirke, Richard (2 September 2014). "New Order Signs to Mute Records, Plans New Release in 2015". www.billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ Sesar, Misha (7 July 2015). "New Order's Music Complete Features Brandon Flowers, Iggy Pop, La Roux". Stereogum. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
- ^ Kaye, Ben (22 January 2015). "New Order intend to release new album in Fall 2015". consequenceofsound.net. Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ New Order (22 June 2015). "New Order Announce New Album: Music Complete: 25th September 2015". www.neworder.com. New Order. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ New Order (22 June 2015). "New Order - Music Complete: 1". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ New Order (30 June 2015). "New Order - Music Complete: 2". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ New Order (7 July 2015). "New Order - Music Complete: 3". www.youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ "Hear New Order's Triumphant New Song 'Restless'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ "MUTE • New Order • Share Erol Alkan's Remix of Singularity". MUTE. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- ^ "Music Complete Deluxe Vinyl Box Set". usstore.neworder.com. New Order. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ "Music Complete CD". usstore.neworder.com. New Order. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ "Music Complete 2LP (Black Vinyl)". usstore.neworder.com. New Order. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ "Music Complete HD Audio Download". usstore.neworder.com. New Order. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ "Music Complete Audio Download". usstore.neworder.com. New Order. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ "Music Complete Limited Edition 2LP (Clear Vinyl)". usstore.neworder.com. New Order. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ "New Order - Complete Music: The new extended mix edition of Music Complete". www.neworder.com. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- ^ Doherty, Mike. "New Order's next album is coming: Bernard Sumner talks "Complete Music," Peter Hook and why it's important to "glow for a very long time"". Salon. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- ^ a b "Reviews for Music Complete by New Order". Metacritic. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
- ^ Modell, Josh (25 September 2015). "New Order: Music Complete". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- ^ Roffman, Michael (23 September 2015). "New Order – Music Complete". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
- ^ Jonze, Tim (24 September 2015). "New Order: Music Complete review – fresh, danceable album with intriguing diversions". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- ^ Cameron, Keith (25 September 2015). "New Order – Music Complete". Mojo. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- ^ Mongredien, Phil (27 September 2015). "New Order: Music Complete review – an unexpectedly coherent return". The Observer. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- ^ a b Rachel, T. Cole (22 September 2015). "New Order: Music Complete". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
- ^ "Music Complete". Q (351): 116. October 2015.
- ^ a b Walters, Barry (21 September 2015). "Music Complete". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
- ^ Connors, Shaun (January 2016). "Review: Don't Order". Truck & Driver. Sutton, Surrey, England: Kelsey Publishing Group: 30.
- ^ "The Best Albums of 2015". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. 2 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
- ^ "NME'S Albums of the Year 2015". nme.com. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
- ^ "New Order - New Order - New Order touring 2015". www.neworder.com. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- ^ "New Order - New Order - New Order Announce Sonar 2016". www.neworder.com. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – New Order – Music Complete". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – New Order – Music Complete" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – New Order – Music Complete" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – New Order – Music Complete" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- ^ "Top Kombiniranih [Top Combined]" (in Croatian). Top Combined Albums. Hrvatska diskografska udruga. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- ^ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 42.Týden 2015 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- ^ "Danishcharts.dk – New Order – Music Complete". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – New Order – Music Complete" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- ^ "New Order: Music Complete" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – New Order – Music Complete". Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – New Order – Music Complete" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
- ^ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 40, 2015". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- ^ "GFK Chart-Track – Independent Albums: Week 40, 2015". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – New Order – Music Complete". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- ^ "Charts.nz – New Order – Music Complete". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – New Order – Music Complete". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
- ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – New Order – Music Complete". Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- ^ "Spanishcharts.com – New Order – Music Complete". Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – New Order – Music Complete". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – New Order – Music Complete". Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- ^ "New Order Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
- ^ "New Order Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- ^ "New Order Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- ^ "New Order Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
External links
- Music Complete at Discogs (list of releases)