New Order Debut First New Song in Nine Years
New Order debuted a new track, “Drop the Guitar,” during their Lollapalooza Chile set on Sunday, the seminal post-punk act’s first new song since their 2005 album Waiting for the Sirens’ Call. You can check out an admittedly rocky fan-shot video above, and despite the somewhat muddled audio, you can still get a taste of the epic six-minute “Drop the Guitar,” with its propulsive drumming, bristling synths and Bernard Sumner’s anguished vocals.
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“Drop the Guitar” conforms to Sumner’s description of the group’s new material from an interview with Rolling Stone last spring. After a bout of guitar-heavy tunes, he said the group was returning to more electronic- and synthesizer-based songs, though added: “That’s not to say there won’t be enough space on the album for enough cool guitar tracks if someone’s got them. I think New Order’s a hybrid band and will always remain so.”
Sumner also spoke about balancing New Order’s relentless touring schedule with writing new material off the road, promising fans “we’re constantly here whether you like us or not, we’re here to stay.” With any luck, that means New Order will have more new tracks when they return for a handful of North American tour dates this July.
Back in March, Sumner took the stage at New York’s Carnegie Hall for the 24th annual Tibet House benefit concert, billed as New Order, but playing with Patti Smith Group drummer Jay Dee Daugherty, a four-piece string section, Philip Glass on piano and Iggy Pop on vocals. Check out a clip of the one-time only supergroup performing Joy Division‘s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.”