New Order - Substance

Released in 1987, Substance is a seminal compilation album that captures the band’s evolution from post-punk pioneers to dancefloor innovators. Spanning their early years through the mid-’80s, the album collects their 12-inch singles in chronological order, showcasing iconic tracks like “Blue Monday,” “Bizarre Love Triangle,” and “Temptation.” With its seamless blend of icy synths, driving basslines, and emotionally detached vocals, Substance charts New Order’s transformation of grief (following the end of Joy Division) into pulsating, euphoric electronic music. More than just a greatest hits collection, it stands as a defining document of the era’s shift from guitar-driven post-punk to the synth-heavy sound of modern alternative and electronic music.