Photo by Kevin Cummins
New Order are continuing their reissue campaign celebrating 40-plus years of the band with the announcement of the multi-disc definitive edition box boxset of their third studio album, Low-Life, originally released in 1985.
Low-Life’s artwork is the only New Order release to showcase photographs of the band members on its cover and features the singles “The Perfect Kiss” and “Subculture,” the former of which has its music video directed by Johnathan Demme.
This extensive new collection of the album originally produced at Jam and Britannia Row Studios, is set to include an LP, two CDs, two DVDs, and a hardback book featuring rare photos and a new interview with all band members. Diehard fans will be chuffed to discover unreleased rare material across different formats and new sleeve designs.
CD 2 contains previously unreleased mixes and alternative versions, including “Love Vigilantes” and “Sub-Culture” instrumentals, and “Sooner Than You Think Full Length Unedited.”
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.
A beautifully presented hardback book featuring rare photos and interviews with all band members is also part of the deal. In addition to the box set, New Order are also releasing the 12” singles. including a limited edition version of “The Perfect Kiss” pressed on 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.
“The mirror finish for The Perfect Kiss sleeve was the idea at the time(1985) that unfortunately was not realised,” says designer Peter Savile. “I have wanted to see it ever since. The original concept was intended to evoke the reflective glamour of a lipstick in a minimal/Pop Art style. The Perfect Kiss in this form will be transformative and a must-have for fans and collectors alike.”
In describing the ironically minimalist packaging for “Sub-Culture,” he adds: “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.”
The Low-Life Definitive JANUARY 2023
You can make your order here for the boxset with the singles, or here, for without.
Tracklisting:
12” Singles
LP 180g Vinyl
CD 1:
CD2: Extras
**All tracks previously unreleased except * and** (previously unreleased on CD and Digital)
DVD1
Live in Tokyo at the Koseinenkin Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1985
Live in Rotterdam, The Rotterdam Arena, Netherlands 1985
Live in Manchester: Whistle Test, The Hacienda 1985
DVD2
Live in Leuven: The Manhattan Club, Leuven, Belgium 1985
Live in Toronto
Filmed by Paul Boyd at The International Centre, Toronto, Canada 1985
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