Low-Life

The album's artwork is the only New Order release to feature photographs of the band members on its cover; according to designer Peter Saville, the decision to do this was due to him growing tired of his previous "concept covers." To photograph the band, Saville took portraits of them with instant film, which he saw as more versatile than conventional 135 film, stating that "you could push it and do funny things with it. It was very graphic and very dynamic. The grain and the texture made everything look like a movie film." Saville further stated that the band were initially reluctant to depict themselves in the artwork; however, thanks in part to the rapid turnaround of instant film, they grew to enjoy the photoshoot after seeing the results. The CD version of the album comes packaged with drummer/keyboardist Stephen Morris on the front cover, while inside the case are four photographs and a semi-transparent piece of paper with the band's name, allowing consumers to choose which band member is seen through the sleeve. ==Singles and re-releases==

On 20 May 1985, the full-length version of "The Perfect Kiss" was released as a single (an edited version of the song appears on the album). John Robie's remix of "Sub-culture" was also released as a 12″ single. Both of these extended versions eventually were included on 1987's Substance. In 2008, the album was re-released in a Collector's Edition with a bonus disc, including the 17-minute complete version of "Elegia", which was only previously available on a limited edition disc of the 2002 box set Retro and, for the first time in digital format, the unedited 12″ mix of "The Perfect Kiss". In 2023, the album was re-released as the Definitive Edition, featuring bonus CDs and DVDs with previously unreleased content. On 5 December 2025, a Blu-ray audio edition of Low-Life featuring three mixes was released. The 2023 digital remaster, part of the Definitive box-set, a Dolby Atmos 5.1 surround sound stereo mix produced by Steven Wilson in 2024, alongside instrumental versions of the newly produced mixes. ==Reception==

In a contemporary review of Low-Life for the Los Angeles Times, Richard Cromelin stated that New Order's "varied menu of soul-pop, techno-rock, delicate instrumental moods, and driving, clattering percussion offers adventure in texture at every turn", and that while the album does not contain "anything as transcendent" as "Love Will Tear Us Apart" by New Order's precursor Joy Division, "its confidence and imagination suggest that the possibility is still there." Robert Christgau of The Village Voice noted New Order's attempt to insert some "affect" into its music and wrote that the band "has its heart (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) in the right place, so one doesn't want to quibble." Giving it an 8 out of 10 rating, Smash Hits Neil Tennant found it to be New Order's best work: "the songs are much stronger than usual - not just doomy electronic workouts but memorable melodies with a sense of humour lurking in the words." John Bush of AllMusic wrote that Low-Life was "in every way, the artistic equal" of New Order's previous album Power, Corruption & Lies, as well as "the point where the band's fusion of rock and electronics became seamless". Low-Life was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. ==Track listing==

2023 Definitive Edition Released on 27th January 2023. The Definitive Edition of Low-Life featured the original album on vinyl and a digitally mastered CD, mixed by Frank Arkwright. A second CD of unreleased material from album recording sessions, two DVDs of live concerts and performances during 1985, and a book documenting the album production. Remastered pressings of 12" singles "Sub-culture", "Shellshock", and two editions of "The Perfect Kiss" were also made available for purchase on the band's webstore. Three promotional singles; "The Perfect Kiss (Writing Session Recording)", "Love Vigilantes (TV Pitch Instrumental Edit)", and "Skullcrusher (Demo)" were all published to digital music services preceding the boxsets release. On December 5th 2025, Low-Life was reissued on CD featuring both the original album and the bonus disc found in the Definitive set. Marking the first time any additional material from the Definitive series was available to purchase outside of the box-set. 2023 Definitive Edition bonus DVD 1 2023 Definitive Edition bonus DVD 2 ==Personnel==

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Low-Life. • New Order – production • Michael Johnson – engineering • Mark, Penny and Tim – tape operators • Trevor Key – photography • Peter Saville Associates – design ==Charts==

• UK LP – Factory Records (FACT 100) • UK CD – Factory Records (FACD 100) • UK cassette – Factory Records (FACT 100C) • US LP – Qwest Records (25289-1) • US cassette – Qwest Records (9 25289-4) • UK CD (1993 re-release) – London Records (520 020-2) ==References==