With “Balancing Chaos”, THE NAMES tear open the songs of “Encore!” and let others rewire their DNA. 13 remixes deconstruct, reshape and reignite the material, before 4 original tracks bring everything back into focus. Not as a return to the past, but as proof of transformation.

The groove has shifted. The perspective has widened. This is not a remix album as accessory. This is a parallel dimension. Sound revisited. Sound reimagined. THE NAMES have always balanced melancholy with movement. Here, they push that tension further than ever. If “Encore!” reaffirmed their timeless identity – born out of the legendary Factory Records era alongside JOY DIVISION and NEW ORDER – then “Balancing Chaos” dares to dismantle that identity and reassemble it in motion. Taking what exists. Breaking it apart. Preserving the core. Creating chaos from order – and then sculpting a new balance.

Jean-Marc Lederman’s tribute-laced take on “Watching For The New World” – dedicated to Annik Honoré – opens the album in cinematic, emotional depth. From there, the pulse intensifies. Ukrainian HARD FACTS injects “Procrastination” with urgent, war-forged club energy. Producer Gil Robert becomes a central architect of the album’s sonic mutations and his multiple reworks slide from retro-futuristic drive to dark electro-pop elegance and shadowy ambient tension. Elsewhere, the reinterpretations spiral outward, coming from an eclectic panel of artists like the unique Mike Theis (known for his work with TRICKY/MASSIVE ATTACK), EDEN, NEVEL, HALCYON LOOP, Rob G. Nichols, DISKODIKTATOR or yet ERROR FATE. Beats harden, basslines deepen, textures freeze into glacial synthscapes or spiral into hypnotic loops. The dancefloor becomes laboratory…

Each remix preserves the lyrical DNA and melodic essence of THE NAMES – those unmistakable vocals, that tension between melancholy and momentum – yet opens unexpected corridors. Words dance on new beats. Meanings shift without betrayal. This is not a polite remix collection. It’s controlled demolition. Familiar melodies fracture, vocals gain new weight, grooves turn physical.

Where “Encore!” celebrated continuity, “Balancing Chaos” celebrates transformation. Chaos is introduced – but never without purpose.  And that’s the point! THE NAMES are not a heritage act protecting a legacy. They are fearless enough to let their songs mutate. “Balancing Chaos” shows a band still unpredictable, still daring, still ready to jump into new dimensions of sound. And what if the jump isn’t forward but sideways?

With “Balancing Chaos”, THE NAMES deliver another “Encore!” but not as you expect it. Not a repetition. A mutation. THE NAMES are not a heritage act revisiting former glories. They are fluid. fearless. open… From post-punk roots to dark electro pop, from ambient abstraction to club propulsion, “Balancing Chaos” shows a band willing to jump onto the dancefloor – and into the unknown – without losing identity. The unpredictability is the point. Reinvention is the tradition.

Prepare for shifting textures. Prepare for shadows illuminated by strobes. Prepare for balance meeting chaos – and finding a new equilibrium.

THE NAMES are timeless. And still moving.

When balance meets chaos, THE NAMES do not fall apart.

They evolve.

The post The Names – Balancing Chaos CD appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

• Noemi Aurora – Kintsugi (Sunburst Vinyl)
• The Ultimated Dreamers – Paradoxical (Transparent Violet Vinyl)
• The Names – Encore! (White Vinyl)

The post Spleen White Sunburst Vinyl Pack (Noemi Aurora, The Ultimate Dreamers, The Names) appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

• Noemi Aurora – Kintsugi (Galaxy Red Vinyl)
• The Ultimated Dreamers – Paradoxical (Red Vinyl)
• The Names – Encore! (Red Vinyl)

The post Spleen Red Lipstick Vinyl Pack (Noemi Aurora, The Ultimate Dreamers, The Names) appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

• Implant – Chaos 3 CD
• Noemi Aurora – Kintsugi 2CD
• The Ultimate Dreamers – Paradoxical CD
• The Names – Encore! CD

The post Spleen Implanted 4-Cd Pack (Implant, Noemi Aurora, The Ultimate Dreamers, The Names) appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

Who better than the legendary Belgian post-punk and new wave pioneers THE NAMES to release a new album titled “Encore!”? This much-anticipated album stands as a testament to their unbreakable commitment to an ever-evolving sound. Since 1977, they’ve stayed true to their unique, eclectic style, captivating fans across the globe who continuously clamor for more.

Emerging from the iconic Factory Records alongside JOY DIVISION and NEW ORDER, THE NAMES have etched their place in music history. With a cult following and a sound that remains as invigorating as ever, “Encore!” continues their journey, offering a fresh milestone in their timeless discography.

Launched with the electrifying “Volume” EP and the bold “Far From the Factories” single, “Encore!” is a sonic tapestry where vintage echoes of the early ’80s meet explorations into futuristic soundscapes. Tracks like “Last Train From Nowhere,” “Touch Touch Touch,” and “Watching For The New World” carry the spirit of the 1980s, while “Sunny Side” and “Inadequacy” channel a nostalgic 1960s vibe. Unexpected gems like “Apophenia,” “Laudanum,” and “Swimming With Brian Jones” highlight their experimental side, while intimate tracks like “Mei Mei” and “A Walk With Miss J” bring moments of reflection. The title track “Encore!” feels like an anthem for the ages, echoing long after the last note.

This is no ordinary album – it’s a vibrant journey through decades of musical influences, weaving together post-punk melancholy, experimental avant-garde, and wistful pop. Atmospheric instrumentation, haunting vocals and striking guitars merge with dynamic synths to create an addictive carousel of sounds that keeps listeners spinning while deciphering hidden allusions in their characteristic convoluted lyrics.

Available in a limited-edition collector’s colored vinyl (150 each respectively in solid red or solid white!) and a stunning digipak CD edition with three exclusive bonus tracks, “Encore!” is a must-have for any fan of melancholic cold wave.

From Brussels, with love and electric fervor – THE NAMES are back.

The post The Names – Encore! (Colour Solid White) Vinyl appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

Who better than the legendary Belgian post-punk and new wave pioneers THE NAMES to release a new album titled “Encore!”? This much-anticipated album stands as a testament to their unbreakable commitment to an ever-evolving sound. Since 1977, they’ve stayed true to their unique, eclectic style, captivating fans across the globe who continuously clamor for more.

Emerging from the iconic Factory Records alongside JOY DIVISION and NEW ORDER, THE NAMES have etched their place in music history. With a cult following and a sound that remains as invigorating as ever, “Encore!” continues their journey, offering a fresh milestone in their timeless discography.

Launched with the electrifying “Volume” EP and the bold “Far From the Factories” single, “Encore!” is a sonic tapestry where vintage echoes of the early ’80s meet explorations into futuristic soundscapes. Tracks like “Last Train From Nowhere,” “Touch Touch Touch,” and “Watching For The New World” carry the spirit of the 1980s, while “Sunny Side” and “Inadequacy” channel a nostalgic 1960s vibe. Unexpected gems like “Apophenia,” “Laudanum,” and “Swimming With Brian Jones” highlight their experimental side, while intimate tracks like “Mei Mei” and “A Walk With Miss J” bring moments of reflection. The title track “Encore!” feels like an anthem for the ages, echoing long after the last note.

This is no ordinary album – it’s a vibrant journey through decades of musical influences, weaving together post-punk melancholy, experimental avant-garde, and wistful pop. Atmospheric instrumentation, haunting vocals and striking guitars merge with dynamic synths to create an addictive carousel of sounds that keeps listeners spinning while deciphering hidden allusions in their characteristic convoluted lyrics.

Available in a limited-edition collector’s colored vinyl (150 each respectively in solid red or solid white!) and a stunning digipak CD edition with three exclusive bonus tracks, “Encore!” is a must-have for any fan of melancholic cold wave.

From Brussels, with love and electric fervor – THE NAMES are back.

The post The Names – Encore! (Colour Solid Red) Vinyl appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

Who better than the legendary Belgian post-punk and new wave pioneers THE NAMES to release a new album titled “Encore!”? This much-anticipated album stands as a testament to their unbreakable commitment to an ever-evolving sound. Since 1977, they’ve stayed true to their unique, eclectic style, captivating fans across the globe who continuously clamor for more.

Emerging from the iconic Factory Records alongside JOY DIVISION and NEW ORDER, THE NAMES have etched their place in music history. With a cult following and a sound that remains as invigorating as ever, “Encore!” continues their journey, offering a fresh milestone in their timeless discography.

Launched with the electrifying “Volume” EP and the bold “Far From the Factories” single, “Encore!” is a sonic tapestry where vintage echoes of the early ’80s meet explorations into futuristic soundscapes. Tracks like “Last Train From Nowhere,” “Touch Touch Touch,” and “Watching For The New World” carry the spirit of the 1980s, while “Sunny Side” and “Inadequacy” channel a nostalgic 1960s vibe. Unexpected gems like “Apophenia,” “Laudanum,” and “Swimming With Brian Jones” highlight their experimental side, while intimate tracks like “Mei Mei” and “A Walk With Miss J” bring moments of reflection. The title track “Encore!” feels like an anthem for the ages, echoing long after the last note.

This is no ordinary album – it’s a vibrant journey through decades of musical influences, weaving together post-punk melancholy, experimental avant-garde, and wistful pop. Atmospheric instrumentation, haunting vocals and striking guitars merge with dynamic synths to create an addictive carousel of sounds that keeps listeners spinning while deciphering hidden allusions in their characteristic convoluted lyrics.

Available in a limited-edition collector’s colored vinyl (150 each respectively in solid red or solid white!) and a stunning digipak CD edition with three exclusive bonus tracks, “Encore!” is a must-have for any fan of melancholic cold wave.

From Brussels, with love and electric fervor – THE NAMES are back.

The post The Names – Encore! CD appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

Kicking off with the beloved single “Far From The Factories”, THE NAMES deliver their signature blend of introspective lyricism and atmospheric instrumentation. It’s a sonic journey from the streets of Manchester to the avant-garde realm of Andy Warhol’s New York City, all captured in an intimate video set against the backdrop of Belgium’s industrial landscape.

Next up, “Mort D’Amour” takes us on a lyrical odyssey through the complexities of love, set to a mesmerizing blend of trip-hop beats and romantic melodies. It’s a tale as old as time, echoing the timeless tragedies of Romeo & Juliet and Tristan & Isolde.

“Watching For The New World” follows suit with its catchy hooks and cinematic grooves, offering a tantalizing glimpse into a future that may not be as bright as it seems.

And just when you think you’ve heard it all, THE NAMES surprise us with “Laudanum”, something completely different (but not too much?), a hauntingly beautiful piano/voice composition that delves into the mysteries of art and literature, narrating mesmerizing explorations of the impact of mind-altering substances on creativity, the whole underscored by Michel Sordinia’s unmistakable vocals.

“This song though was written and played without using any illegal drugs or substances”, adds Michel with a big smile on his face…

With “Volume,” THE NAMES once again prove why they’re legends of the post-punk / new wave scene. So crank up the “Volume”, set it up to eleven and immerse yourself in their unparalleled sound.

Emerging from the iconic Factory Records label alongside the likes of JOY DIVISION and NEW ORDER, THE NAMES have solidified their place in music history. With a dedicated cult following and a sound that’s as fresh as ever, they continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Don’t miss out on the latest chapter in THE NAMES’ storied career. Experience “Volume” today and prepare to be enchanted.

The post The Names – Volume EP appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.

Emerged during the late 1970s/early 1980s vibrant post-punk era on the legendary Factory Records label (JOY DIVISION, HAPPY MONDAYS, NEW ORDER, A CERTAIN RATIO…), THE NAMES have continued to perform and release new material since the band reformed in the 2000s, entertaining over the years a cult following among fans of good old cold wave/post punk music thanks to their unique sound and contributions to the genre.

“Far From The Factories” evokes the characteristic sound style of THE NAMES that we all love them for, with that unique blend of moody introspective lyrics and a musical backdrop featuring post punk angular guitar work, new wave pulsating basslines and atmospheric melodic keyboard elements. An intelligent patchwork of memories bringing us from the ecstatic streets of their Manchester cradle to Andy Warhol’s NYC avant-garde pop art central hub through raw dusty halls full of reeking industrial machinery…

To the contrary, “Apophenia” carries us to a totally opposite cloudy sonic landscape haunted by ghostly silhouettes, announcing a quite surprising and eclectic new album later this year! This schizophrenic lovesong indeed emphasizes the more nuanced melodic side of THE NAMES where Michel Sordinia’s unmatchable vocals play a crucial role in conveying the emotional depth of the song complementing the carrying instrumentation to create a distinctive and atmospheric listening experience at the cross-junction of THE STRANGLERS’ “Golden Brown” and ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN’s “Killing Moon”…

An emotionally resonant comeback of THE NAMES wetting our appetite for more and brough to us by their new label partner Spleen+, division of the Alfa Matrix label – home of other Belgian legends like FRONT 242, UNDERVIEWER, THE BREATH OF LIFE, LEDERMAN-DE MEYER, STAR INDUSTRY, THE ULTIMATE DREAMERS and many more.

The post The Names – Far From The Factories appeared first on Alfa Matrix Store.