The explosive track "True Faith" by New Order, released in the troubled yet transformative year of 1987, is a magnificent embodiment of an era filled with powerful synthesizers and even more powerful social implications. Spawned in England, during a time when Margaret Thatcher's conservative government was facing both praise and controversy, New Order delivered this classic that soared high on the charts. The band came into existence from the ashes of Joy Division, a musical revolution against the dreary backdrop of post-industrial England.
"True Faith" exhibits a musical brilliance that critics and fans alike couldn't ignore. It reached impressive heights on both UK and US charts, becoming one of New Order's career-defining tracks. With a video that slices through the visual norms—clad with surreal images of falling slappers and rubberized faces—"True Faith" became not only an aural but also a visual spectacle. It served its purpose beautifully, pushing boundaries in a decade often described by its excess and experimentation.
This song was no small feat. It was co-produced by the legendary Stephen Hague, etching another remarkable chapter in his illustrious career. The song's unique cocktail of electronic beats, upbeat rhythm, and haunting lyrics delivered something unlike its contemporaries. Think of it as a musical manifesto: challenging, engaging, unapologetic. The kind of art that refuses to hide or sugarcoat its intentions. Unlike today's music, often overshadowed by superficial themes, "True Faith" markets itself through the authenticity of its sentiment.
Politics didn't color New Order's masterpiece the way it dictates music today. Back in the day, artists like them weren't taking virtue-signaling shots at rivals or pointing fingers at abstract societal claims. They crafted art that let listeners decide the message and meaning, potentially stoking more personal and unadulterated reactions. Some interpret the lyrics of "True Faith" as an expression of self-reflection and inner turmoil, topics evergreen and universal, immune from the shackles of time.
What’s fascinating is the innate avoidance of overt political discourse. Instead, the song indulges in introspection, talking about identity and self-worth. They didn’t aim to self-proclaim as societal saviors, a move that today's artists often exploit to gain following rather than to genuinely inspire transformation. New Order painted colorful soundscapes that matched the striking visual of their music video, stirring emotional associations and capturing hearts without polarizing them.
"True Faith" has aged like a fine wine. It remains influential, remembered, and respected widely across different generations. In a way, it foreshadowed the coming decades where technology would redefine music and communication. Despite its electronic roots, which some viewers might see as compromising creativity, it preserved a touching human element — its lyricism. The band expressed that universal human struggle through a lens of innovation, known for their synthesisers and electronic beats that were groundbreaking at the time.
True to its title, "True Faith" is a rare gem proving that music is an art form capable of transcending personal and political limitations. It's fascinating to watch how such music navigates through the noise of today’s content that’s either too bold or too bland, lacking the middle ground which this track embodies. That's another reason why it upheld its position over the decades, a classic product of its time and eternal in its message.
The legacy left by "True Faith" is massive—even movements seeking to promote traditional or conservative agendas could benefit from understanding how this piece of art communicated individuality and community simultaneously. It stands as a beacon of self-awareness that makes one ponder about true essence and identity. The track echoes the sentiment that leans towards embracing complexity rather than erasing it for easy digestion.
New Order captured the hearts of listeners with their staunch commitment to authentic creativity, solidifying "True Faith" as one of the most iconic tracks of the 80s. As the world spins into spin and champions fleeting convenience over lasting substance, we need to find our true faith, much like this ageless melody does. While the liberals might argue conformity and revolution in the same breath, real transformation comes from authenticity—exactly what "True Faith" embodies.
Give it a spin, feel the liberating essence of music that refuses to be pigeonholed, and appreciate the art before the explosion of over-politicized noise took over.