Lost Sirens is a mini album featuring eight tracks that were recorded during New Order’s sessions for 2005’s Waiting For The Siren’s Call.
Initially they were intended for release soon after Waiting… but when Peter Hook quit the group and New Order disbanded (again) shortly after, the tracks were shelved – until now.
In 2011, the group reformed to tour, albeit minus Hook, so it follows that a release was impending , even if they may be throwing together odds and ends.
Here we have six previously unreleased tracks, a reimagined “I Told You So” from Waiting… and the song “Hellbent”, which featured on 2011’s singles retrospective TOTAL: From Joy Division To New Order.
There’s nothing wrong with this release, but it just doesn’t seem fully realised. Not only because of its length, but the majority of material lacks much relevance to today’s current music trends.
Not that you’d expect New Order to churn out hits like it was the eighties, but their noughties releases really connected with audiences. Unless you’re nostalgic for New Order, Lost Sirens will provide little connection.
That said, the songs are well realised. They aren’t demos or half-finished numbers, but tracks that were fully produced and awaiting release.
Like their more recent output, the songs are largely guitar driven, minus “Sugarcane” which incorporates more electronic elements.
They are inimitably New Order, and, if you’re a fan, this could grow on you. However, it will be most interesting to see whether we hear new material any time soon.
