In this exclusive column for Atwood Magazine, I delve into how one artist and album have influenced my experiences in a single city or multiple cities. My hope is that you will find a connection between my narrative and your own life, enriching our comprehension and contemplation of a specific artist and album in today's context.
•• •• •• ••
Experiencing New Order's albums ‘Power, Corruption & Lies,’ ‘Low-Life,’ and ‘Brotherhood’ through the brilliant perspective of Christina S. in New York City offered an extraordinary lens to witness the world's intensity—and it also became a deeply personal exploration of the emotional complexities within our remarkable romantic bond.
This column follows my previous Music & Cities piece from September 25, 2025!
•• ••
Cocteau Twins’ ‘Victorialand’ in Syracuse: MUSIC & CITIES ::
•• ••
Listen: ‘Power, Corruption & Lies’ – New Order
My love for Christina S. was profound during our intense three-month relationship, grounded in the frigid winter of upstate New York, where the lake-effect snow enveloped us in a winter paradise. This period embodied a dreamlike state within our relationship, where The Cocteau Twins provided a backdrop to the twilight and snowy skies in her cozy retreat.
When April arrived, heralding spring, I visited New York City for the first time alongside my beloved. The drive from Syracuse to New York City was an intimate and revealing journey where we shared our hidden fears and desires from our youth, discussing our alternative lifestyles far removed from the mainstream. As spring unfolded, Christina's musical tastes shifted toward New Order, particularly their 1983 groundbreaking album Power, Corruption & Lies, which was unlike anything else she had listened to.
Born from the ashes of Joy Division following Ian Curtis's tragic suicide, New Order evolved with Bernard Sumner as the lead vocalist. Their first album, Movement, released in 1981, marked a transitional phase, but the 1983 release was a revolutionary step in the realm of electronica. The captivating melodies were threaded with the shadows of existence, capturing life's internal struggles while permeating the nightlife. During that spring in NYC, Christina's fascination extended to a trio of New Order albums, including the 1985 release Low-Life and the bittersweet 1986 album Brotherhood.
Christina's deep infatuation with New Order initiated a new chapter in our relationship. Upon our arrival that night, we stayed in a beautiful loft in the village with her friends. As we ventured into the nightlife, she was in her element among fellow enthusiasts, and we were swept away by New Order’s iconic anthem “Blue Monday.”
For the first time, I felt sidelined as Christina became immersed in her social circle, causing a rift in the extraordinary world we had built. It was peculiar how New Order's LP Power, Corruption & Lies seemed to reflect and amplify the dynamics of our relationship during that spring break in NYC. Transitioning from the snowy cocoon of upstate New York to the bustling intensity of Manhattan revealed the cracks in our perfect bubble. The lyrics of the opening track "Paradise" from Brotherhood perfectly encapsulated my feelings for Christina that April in 1987:
If we left this town,
we could walk the earth together
If you let me down,
I will live in you forever
I want you, I want you,
I need you, I need you
I want you, I want you,
I need you, I need you
If we could find a home,
we could go through time together
If we could hold our own,
devastate the night forever
There’s no place where we can’t go
There’s no place where I have been
There’s no limit I can show
There’s no level in-between
Jolene, I could have seen you there
Jolene, I need you everywhere
The urge to have Christina with me all the time was overwhelming; the world we created felt limitless, yet Manhattan introduced fissures into our idyllic existence. We both understood the necessity of eventually leaving Syracuse to explore this remarkable world together, but I wasn’t prepared for Christina to adopt a different side of herself among her friends in the city.
Visiting NYC for the first time in the late '80s was a profoundly transformative experience in many ways. Experiencing the trilogy of New Order's albums Power, Corruption & Lies, Low-Life, and Brotherhood through Christina's lens in New York City was a unique way to perceive the world's intensity—while also reflecting the emotional tensions within our incredible love.
Low-Life – New Order
Urban lifestyle and friendships shaped the exquisite perfection of our deep emotional and physical connection. My emotions resonated with the sentiment and lyricism of New Order's “The Village” from Power, Corruption & Lies:
When a new life turns towards you
And the night becomes the day
Olympic champion and skilled knitter Tom Daley has partnered with Ben Sherman for their latest seasons as the Official Ceremonial Wear Supplier.
Andrew Jim Gannon has released a new single titled 'As The Years Roll Back.' Now available, this track represents a turning point for the artist as he transitions.
North Carolina rapper MAVI has fully released his latest mixtape, 'The Pilot.' Now available, MAVI had been hinting at the mixtape for several weeks and recently shared one of his tracks.
Nas and DJ Premier are set to launch their highly anticipated collaborative album 'Light-Years' next month. The rapper from Queens is recognized as one of the defining artists.
With Superman debuting on streaming, Atwood’s Aidan Moyer explores the character’s musical heritage and the influence of John Williams’ memorable themes in the score by John Murphy and David Fleming.
Truck Festival is gearing up for a fantastic line-up next summer, with the initial names on the roster already announced. The festival, which has received multiple awards, boasts a
Experiencing the trio of New Order’s albums—‘Power, Corruption & Lies,’ ‘Low-Life,’ and ‘Brotherhood’—through the brilliant perspective of Christina S. in New York City offered a remarkable lens to appreciate the world's intensity. At the same time, this experience deeply mirrored the complexities of the emotional romantic life within our extraordinary love.