Song Stories: New Order: Age of Consent
Released as part of New Order's second studio album 'Power Corruption & Lies'. 'Age of Consent' is a huge part of the transitional phase that New Order underwent after the demise of their previous band, Joy Division. 'Age of Consent' is a striking blend of upbeat synth-pop with introspective lyrics, capturing a sense of both euphoria and melancholy. The post punk of Joy Division is still present within this song through sweeping basslines and chugging guitars. Alongside atmospheric synths and and beats.
The song builds on the band’s signature style, often seen in their previous work with Joy Division, but it carries a more vibrant, electronic pulse. A feature that would come to symbolize New Order’s shift toward dance music and new wave.
Despite embracing electronic elements the dark undertones and post punk feel of Joy Division are still present, New Order were certainly looking to the future with this one, but they hadn't quite figured it all out yet.
'Age of Consent' is often regarded as a song about emotional vulnerability and in particular how one can feel after a breakup. In typical New Order fashion it's anything but a typical love song. Instead it deals with the fall out at the end of a relationship. With neither party truly coming to terms with it ending.
"And I'm not the kind that likes to tell you/Just what I want to do/I'm not the kind that needs to tell you/Just what you want me to."
It's a really haunting affair about coming to terms with what's happening.
In a Tim Burgess Listening Party in 2023, drummer Steve Morris revealed that the instrumentation on this track had been recycled from an old Joy Division song. Posting "Hooky’s bass riff on Age Of Consent is fantastic. The drums are recycled from an old song - see if you can guess which one. Clue: it was one of ours." One follower correctly identified it as the 1980 Joy Division classic Love Will Tear Us Apart ("Hannett's version")
The title of the song according to Peter Hook came from a newspaper article in the Sunday Times, about children having sex younger and younger, leading to a call for a reduction in the 'Age of Consent'
Age of Consent' remains one of the most enduring tracks in New Order’s catalog, and it has shaped the way electronic music evolved in the 1980s. In a time when synthesizers and drum machines were rapidly gaining popularity in the music scene, New Order was one of the first to blend these electronic elements with the raw emotion that had previously defined their music in Joy Division. The track helped bridge the gap between post-punk and the dance and synth-pop scenes that would dominate the next decade.
The song also solidified New Order’s reputation as one of the most innovative and influential bands of the 1980s. Their ability to take on complex themes while still making music that felt accessible to a wide audience set them apart from their contemporaries. 'Age of Consent' was a major success on the UK charts, and the album 'Power, Corruption & Lies' is often cited as a turning point in the band’s career, marking their transition into a more commercially successful and experimental phase.
It proved to be one of the bands most pivotal moments and their most most well loved songs. 'Age of Consent' is definitely my favourite song by the band. It sounds like Manchester which is a weird way to describe a song but every time I listen to that song I'm transported to Manchester in the rain.
A truly brilliant song.
Thank you for reading
Jack