10 Perfect Post Punk Albums With No Bad Songs
4. Low-Life - New Order (1985)
By 1985 New Order had shaken off the oppressive cloud that was the death of former Joy Division band mate, Ian Curtis. Their second album confirmed that Bernard Sumner was more than capable of fronting the new incarnation of the group. With a sound that build on the work of Joy Division but pulled in far more upbeat and optimistic melodies, they were established in their own right.
Their third album, Low Life, was rooted in a dance pop base, but still retained the DIY aesthetic of the punk groups of the '70s. This Time Of Night, is the first track on the album to contain an enduring synthwave sound, that wouldn't be out of place in the Drive score. It's a number that feels constantly in motion, with a relentless bass line and an electronic drumbeat. Sunrise, is a number that relies much more on the guitar for its drive, utilising a repeating progression, that sounds distinctly futuristic. Elegia is one of the most evocative tracks on the album, sharing huge similarities with the electronic music that was being produced by french musician Jean-Michel Jarre.
This is a record that at times hints to the haunting ambience of Joy Division, but has a far more refined, elegant and upbeat tone.