Album of the Day

Released on this day in 1993, REPUBLIC saw New Order emerge like a phoenix from the financial ashes of longtime label Factory Records and home base the Hacienda club. Led by singles including “Regret,” “Ruined in a Day” and “Spooky,” the quartet’s sixth studio set climbed to the top of the UK Albums Chart. Stephen Hague co-produced the collection, whose gleaming surfaces are reflected by designer Peter Saville’s magazine-spread photography – but as polished as the band’s dance-pop gets, it never loses its soul. New Order’s final album before an 8-year hiatus, the Gold-certified REPUBLIC brought the first chapter of the group’s career to a satisfying close.