Legendary synthpop band New Order released a new song today called “Be a Rebel,” their first new music in five years. We last heard from New Order in 2015 with the release of their ninth studio album Music Complete.
You can find “Be a Rebel” on Spotify, Youtube, and other streaming services.
“Be a Rebel” is an uplifting, feel-good song that sounds like a continuation of Music Complete, which saw the band return to a more synthesizer-driven sound. It was the first album recorded without bassist Peter Hook, who infamously left the band over a spat with lead singer Bernard Sumner.
The first verse of “Be a Rebel” sounds like a Pet Shop Boys song, prompting many fans to compare it to Electronic, the supergroup involving Bernard Sumner, the members of Pet Shop Boys, and ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. Supposedly, Sumner’s involvement in Electronic caused some of the friction with Hook.
New Order and Pet Shop Boys are supposed to be touring North America right now for the Unity Tour, which unfortunately had to be postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To be honest, I’m not really feeling this new song. It just kinda breezes along and never really does anything special, though maybe it will grow on me after a few more listens. Some of the lyrics are pretty groanworthy though. “Be a rebel, not a devil” sounds like something you would tell your kids on their first day back to middle school.
New Order’s “Be a Rebel” lyrics
I feel you near
For harmony
And I look around
But it’s not what I see
I see angry faces looking at me
And I want to know
What makes them so
For this world can be a dangerous place
But it’s all we got
And it’s quite a lot
Take a look at yourself
You may not be the same as everyone else
You’re just different, that’s OK
We all follow our own way
And if you find that they won’t listen
Then they’ve got nothing to say
So don’t get mad, don’t feel sad
Be a rebel, not a devil
There will come a day
When your fear and self-doubt fades away
Because you have achieved what you need
There’s no doubt in your heart
Not a care, it’s a family affair
Take a look at yourself
You may not be the same as everyone else
You’re just different, that’s OK
We all follow our own way
And if you find that they won’t listen
Then they’ve got nothing to say
So don’t get mad, don’t feel sad
Be a rebel, not a devil
