New Order – Power, Corruption & Lies

A Landmark Album That Redefined Electronic Rock

Released on May 2, 1983, Power, Corruption & Lies is the second studio album by English rock band New Order, issued through the influential independent label Factory Records. The album marked a major turning point for the band, showcasing a bold shift from the darker, post‑punk sound of their 1981 debut Movement toward a more electronic, synth‑driven style that would define their career.

Recorded at Britannia Row Studios and mixed at the legendary Factory Records headquarters, the album features a heavier use of synthesizers, drum machines, and sequencers—elements that would become central to New Order’s identity. This evolution helped bridge the gap between post‑punk and the emerging electronic dance music scene of the early 1980s.

A New Sound for a New Era

Power, Corruption & Lies blends cold electronic textures with melodic basslines, atmospheric keyboards, and Bernard Sumner’s understated vocals. The album moves effortlessly between moody, introspective tracks and upbeat, dance‑leaning rhythms, laying the groundwork for the band’s future classics.

While the album does not include the band’s breakout single “Blue Monday”, the song was released just weeks earlier and shares the same sonic DNA. Together, the single and the album helped establish New Order as pioneers of alternative dance music.

Key tracks include:

• “Age of Consent” – A fan favorite driven by Peter Hook’s iconic melodic bassline
• “Your Silent Face” – A lush, synth‑heavy track often described as one of the band’s most beautiful compositions
• “586” – A rhythmic experiment that hints at the structure of “Blue Monday”
• “Leave Me Alone” – A reflective closer that blends guitar and electronics

Critical Acclaim & Lasting Influence

Upon release, Power, Corruption & Lies received widespread praise for its innovation and forward‑thinking production. Over time, it has become recognized as one of the most important albums of the 1980s, frequently appearing on “greatest albums of all time” lists from major music publications.

The album’s influence can be heard across genres—from indie rock and synth‑pop to modern electronic music. Countless artists cite it as a blueprint for blending rock instrumentation with electronic elements.

Iconic Artwork by Peter Saville

The album’s cover, designed by longtime Factory Records collaborator Peter Saville, features a reproduction of Henri Fantin‑Latour’s 19th‑century painting A Basket of Roses. Saville added a color‑coded system on the sleeve that represented the band name and album title—a minimalist, cryptic touch that became a hallmark of New Order’s aesthetic.

In 2010, the artwork was honored as one of ten classic British album covers featured on a Royal Mail postage stamp, cementing its status as a cultural icon.

A Defining Moment for New Order

Power, Corruption & Lies represents New Order at a pivotal moment—emerging from the shadow of Joy Division and forging a sound that would influence decades of music. It’s a record that captures the band’s transition, experimentation, and creative confidence, ultimately becoming one of the most celebrated albums of the era.