New Order are an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1980 by Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook and Stephen Morris, shortly after the death of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis. Keyboardist Gillian Gilbert joined soon afterward, completing the classic lineup. Although their origins were rooted in the stark post-punk of Joy Division, New Order developed into one of the most influential groups in the history of alternative dance music by combining guitars, synthesizers, sequencers, drum machines and club rhythms.
The band's first single, "Ceremony," had originally been written for Joy Division. Their debut album, *Movement* (1981), retained much of that earlier band's tension and severity, but New Order began to establish a more independent identity through the use of electronic instruments. "Everything's Gone Green" and "Temptation" marked important steps toward a more open, rhythmic and melodic style. The members' exposure to New York club music, as well as their interest in Kraftwerk and European electronic music, helped push their songwriting beyond conventional post-punk.
New Order's breakthrough came with "Blue Monday" in 1983. Built around sequenced electronics, a prominent bass line and a propulsive dance beat, the song became a landmark of British club culture and one of the best-known 12-inch singles ever released. Its distinctive sleeve, designed by Peter Saville, reflected the band's preference for cryptic, modernist presentation. Saville's artwork became a central part of New Order's identity, helping connect the music to a broader visual language associated with Factory Records.
The album *Power, Corruption & Lies* (1983) balanced electronic experimentation with the band's increasingly strong pop instincts. Collaborations with producer Arthur Baker produced the dance singles "Confusion" and "Thieves Like Us." New Order then expanded their sound through *Low-Life* (1985), whose songs included "The Perfect Kiss," and *Brotherhood* (1986), which featured "Bizarre Love Triangle." Their 1987 compilation *Substance* brought together key singles and introduced "True Faith," one of the band's most successful songs.
The group reached a creative and commercial peak with *Technique* (1989). Influenced by the emerging house and acid-house scenes, the album fused New Order's melodic songwriting with a more direct dance-floor energy. Singles such as "Fine Time" and "Round & Round" demonstrated how naturally the band could move between alternative rock and electronic pop. Their connection to club culture was also institutional: New Order helped finance and establish Manchester's Hacienda nightclub, which became an important center of British dance music.
After recording "World in Motion," the 1990 England World Cup song, the members pursued separate projects. New Order returned with *Republic* (1993), led by the single "Regret," but internal tensions and outside commitments contributed to another period of inactivity. They resumed recording with *Get Ready* (2001) and *Waiting for the Sirens' Call* (2005). Peter Hook left in 2006, and later performances featured bassist Tom Chapman, with Phil Cunningham also becoming part of the touring and recording lineup. Gillian Gilbert subsequently returned.
New Order released *Music Complete* in 2015, their first studio album with Chapman and their first for Mute Records. The single "Be a Rebel" followed in 2020. Through concert films, live albums and continuing performances, the band has maintained a strong presence while preserving its distinctive mix of melancholy, rhythmic invention and visual sophistication. In 2026, New Order and Joy Division were selected for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing a combined legacy that reshaped post-punk and electronic popular music.