NOAH and New Order's Collaboration Is an Expression of "True Faith"
A thematic collection and playlist born from founder Brendon Babenzien’s devotion to the legendary new wave band.
From Depeche Mode to Peter Tosh, the only factor unifying NOAH’s far-flung musical collaborations is founder Brendon Babenzien’s diverse musical influences. Born in 1972, Babenzien’s childhood in the ‘80s shaped his taste, including a deep-seated appreciation for new wave outfit New Order. The brand’s latest collaborative capsule is a celebration of the pioneering British band — but more than being a mere apparel drop, it’s steeped in a true love for New Order’s legacy, which is worth exploring before the collection is revealed in late March.
“We thrilled at every [New Order] record,” NOAH’s team explained. “They took us on a journey that continues to this day.” That’s well-deserved praise, considering the indelible impact that New Order left upon the music industry. Ostensibly a rock band, the group incorporated elements of clubby dance, experimental electronica and post-punk, the latter a holdover from the bandmates’ ultra-influential former group, Joy Division.
Salford-based Joy Division enjoyed a cult following in American and Britain after the release of their debut album, Unknown Pleasures, issued by Factory Records in 1979 after the band had gigged around the UK for three years. Tragically, singer Ian Curtis took his own life less than a year later, mere months before the band would issue its second record, Closer. In observance of a pact made before Curtis’ death, the members of Joy Division retired the band name, toying with a selection of different names before settling on The New Order Of The Kampuchean Front, eventually shortened to New Order.
Moody early records gave way to bouncy disco and electro pop, blending inimitable live instrumentation — notably, Peter Hook’s robust bass tones — with sampled sound effects, percussion and stabs of glowing synthesizer. Club culture and Kraftwerk inspired drawn-out singles like “The Perfect Kiss,” “Confusion” and “Blue Monday,” the latter being the best-selling 12” record ever, but even the shorter…
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