As strange as it may seem, until Total, no record had ventured to tell New Order's story in the context of their previous incarnation. The five Joy Division songs included here wisely highlight the elements (melodic basslines, frosty synths, swirling atmospherics) that would become central to the later group's sound; meanwhile, the New Order selections paint a concise picture of a band skilled in the art of graceful reinvention. The through line of it all is a parade of some of the most unforgettable hooks you'll ever hear.
