In the past two decades, New Order have broken up twice: first, after 1993’s Republic and then again after 2005’s Waiting for the Sirens’ Call. B-side collection The Lost Sirens slightly held fans over during the past 10 years, but Music Complete might be called their official comeback.


With a band whose career spans over three decades, remaining relevant while staying true to form is a difficult balancing act. Contemporaries the Pet Shop Boys managed to do that on 2013’s Electric, and for New Order, this album maintains a similar fluidity, of referencing disco-influenced electronic music while emphasizing the sequencer- and arpeggiator-heavy stuff that distanced them from Joy Division in the first place.

Opening track “Restless” hints at stronger things to come. Guitar-focused tracks have never been New Order’s strong point – compare Brotherhood and Movement to Low-Life and Technique – and this album somewhat confirms their realization. Following, the mood picks up with the sequencer-based “Singularity” and “Plastic,” the former reminiscent of early single “Everything’s Gone Green.”

Fourth track “Tutti Frutti” hints at the acid house territory of 1989’s “Fine Time” but quickly swings into a disco groove. Former bassist Peter Hook could’ve added a bit more punch, but Tom Chapman sufficiently fills in here.

The album’s second half wavers between the electronic-leaning tracks – “Unlearn this Hatred” and “The Game” stand out and give the work its cohesiveness. On the other hand, what could’ve been a dynamite collaboration – The Killers’ Brandon Flowers on “Superheated” – leaves Music Complete on a weaker note.

Within New Order’s late-career discography, Music Complete is, frankly, more complete than Sirens’, which, even with “Told You So” and hit “Guilt is a Useless Emotion,” relied too much on guitars and fillers. It’s a bit darker than 2001’s Get Ready, which delivered with “Crystal.” On the other hand, its inconsistencies hark back to Republic, the release that gave “Regret” but also had frontman Bernard Sumner rapping on “Times Change.” So, between the hits and misses, Music Complete reaches more of the former this time around.