New Order - Brotherhood

Brotherhood, released in 1986, is New Order’s fourth studio album and one of their most enduring statements—balancing the band’s post-punk roots with their growing love of synth-driven dance music. Often seen as a snapshot of the band in transition, Brotherhood captures both sides of their sound: raw guitar-driven tracks and sleek, electronic pop.

The album opens with the stormy energy of “Paradise” and moves through standout tracks like the guitar-heavy “Weirdo” and “Broken Promise,” before landing on the shimmering, synth-led classic “Bizarre Love Triangle”—a defining moment in 1980s alternative music and a longtime fan favorite. Bernard Sumner’s introspective vocals, Peter Hook’s melodic basslines, and Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert’s evolving production work give the album a sense of duality and momentum.

Often overlooked in favor of Power, Corruption & Lies or Technique, Brotherhood is an underrated gem that shows New Order experimenting and refining their sound in real time. A must-have for fans of post-punk, synth-pop, and 80s alt-rock, this edition is an essential piece of the band’s influential discography.