Description
New Order – Technique – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Technique by New Order, released on January 30, 1989, is not just an album — it’s a snapshot of a cultural and musical turning point. As the ‘80s came to a close, Technique captured the convergence of Madchester, Balearic beat, and electronic dance music, all filtered through New Order’s unique hybrid of post-punk melancholy and euphoric synth-pop.
This was their fifth studio album, and it stands as one of their most acclaimed — a shimmering, stylish, and surprisingly emotional work that seamlessly blends the guitar-driven energy of indie rock with the pulse of Ibiza-inspired house and techno.
New Order recorded much of Technique at a studio on the Spanish island of Ibiza in 1988, which heavily influenced the album’s sound. The band found themselves immersed in the emerging Balearic club scene, where DJs were spinning everything from acid house to Euro-disco. This Mediterranean party atmosphere crept into their music — not just sonically, but spiritually.
The rest of the album was finished at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in England, bringing a contrast between Ibiza’s hedonism and the band’s Manchester cool.
Track Highlights
“Fine Time”
The opening track and lead single — a manic, almost absurdist dance number driven by a funky synth bassline and bleating sheep samples. It’s New Order at their most playful, clearly influenced by acid house.
“All the Way”
More guitar-based, with a Britpop-before-Britpop vibe. It captures Bernard Sumner’s lyrical knack for combining bittersweet emotion with understated optimism.
“Love Less”
A delicate, melancholic song full of jangly guitars and shimmering textures — echoing their Joy Division roots while evolving their melodic sense.
“Round & Round”
A classic New Order single — bright, catchy, and infused with that dance-pop gloss. It’s all sleek synths and bittersweet hooks, with a deep groove that anchors the emotional distance.
“Vanishing Point”
Dreamy and trance-like, it showcases their ability to float between dancefloor euphoria and introspective cool. This track feels like early ‘90s electronic music ahead of its time.
“Mr. Disco”
A playful nod to the club culture that inspired the album — it’s all bouncing synth arpeggios, robotic rhythms, and tongue-in-cheek lyrics. A fan favorite for its pure escapist energy.
“Dream Attack”
The album’s closer — wistful, yet buoyant. It beautifully blends guitars and synths into one of the band’s most perfect pop moments. Peter Hook’s melodic bassline is classic Hooky.
Technique debuted at #1 on the UK Albums Chart, a first for the band, and was met with critical acclaim. Over time, it’s become seen as one of the defining albums of late-’80s British music, setting the stage for both the early-‘90s dance explosion and the emotional anthems of Britpop.
It’s frequently cited as New Order’s most danceable and most optimistic album, balancing the darkness of their past with a newfound lightness. While Joy Division mourned, New Order learned how to move forward without forgetting — and Technique is that ethos in musical form.
Technique is a cultural bridge between decades and movements, t connects post-punk to rave culture, indie rock to house music, and Manchester’s grit to Ibiza’s glitter.
Its influence can be heard in later acts like Pet Shop Boys, Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem, and even in the early works of The Killers (who directly cite New Order as a major influence).
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
Fine Time
All The Way
Love Less
Round & Round
Guilty Partner
Run
Mr Disco
Vanishing Point
Dream Attack
