New Order – True Faith (US 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released in July 1987, “True Faith” stands as one of New Order’s most enduring and critically acclaimed singles. Written specifically for their compilation Substance 1987, the track marked a creative peak for the band—seamlessly blending moody post-punk sensibilities with polished synth-pop and club-ready beats. It soared to #4 on the UK Singles Chart and became their first real breakthrough in the U.S., peaking at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Co-produced with Stephen Hague (best known for his work with Pet Shop Boys and OMD), “True Faith” is layered with shimmering synths, dynamic drum programming, and Bernard Sumner’s unmistakably detached vocal delivery. The lyrics, while cryptic, are widely interpreted as reflecting personal struggles, particularly with addiction and emotional disconnection.

The single’s success was amplified by its surreal, artful music video directed by French choreographer Philippe Decouflé, featuring colorfully costumed performers in bizarre, theatrical movement—a staple of late-’80s MTV.

Included here is the 12″ remix by Shep Pettibone, whose club credentials need no introduction. His rework maintains the song’s brooding elegance while enhancing its rhythmic pulse for the dancefloor—striking a balance between underground edge and commercial appeal.

This post is particularly special as it marks the first vinyl transfer using the Ortofon Concorde Music Black cartridge, bringing out an even greater level of clarity, warmth, and precision in this pressing. The result is a faithful and dynamic reproduction of one of the most iconic singles of the era.

SIDE A:
True Faith (The Morning Sun Extended Remix) 9:02

SIDE B:
True Faith (Alternate Faith Dub) 10:44
1963 5:31

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1987 True Faith U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #32
1987 True Faith U.S. Billboard 12-Inch Singles Sales #10
1987 True Faith U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music /  Club Play #3

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Qwest Records – 0 – 20733Qwest Records – 9 20733-0
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, ARC Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

NOTES:
True Faith (The Morning Sun Extended Remix) is the same mix as “True Faith (Remix)” & “True Faith (Alternate Faith Dub)” is the same as “True Dub” from the UK remix 12″.

From the New Order album “Substance” on Qwest Records 1 – 25621

Made in USA

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus:  Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp:
Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC:
Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning
: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans
: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!


Password: burningtheground

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OPODER
OPODER
May 6, 2025 9:00 am

I still have that rip (Australia) you made in 2019, with 3 tracks. Thanks for this one.

Martika
Martika
May 2, 2025 2:15 am

Simply amazing transfer! This is one of my favorite all-time remixes ever. THANK YOU SO MUCH for yet another ICONIC MASTER-PIECE Vinyl!!!! Shep Pettibone & Steve Peck created a monster mix that is one of the true 80s remix gems. The memories from hearing this remix in my goto club for the first time takes me back to when everything was just enchanting and so full of optimism and hope.

Last edited 1 month ago by Martika
Erick Altamirano
May 1, 2025 3:49 pm

amazing sound… new experience for my ears…

THONI VIDES DJ
THONI VIDES DJ
May 1, 2025 12:53 pm

GRACIAS!!!

Christo
Christo
May 1, 2025 11:44 am

Fabulous work! Thanks so much for this fantastic site. I’m so glad to find here some polished jewels from the past. I LOVE IT! THANKS, Paul! I transfer myself, well, not as brilliant as you do, but okay, I would say. I’m just always annoyed by the inner groove distortion. How you you handle this? xx Christo

Frank Carroll
Frank Carroll
May 1, 2025 10:59 am

Thank you so much for the amazing work you do.

Joey
Joey
May 1, 2025 4:49 am

It sounds very clear, but there are some sibilant artifacts on the high pheeew sound that starts kicking in at about 10 seconds in and goes on until about 1:15, like the grooves are starting to push the needle out of the groove at the highest pitch of that repeating sound. It is a truly difficult sound for most setups, either being sibilant or dull depending on the needle. Compared to the original promo CD, this sounds a bit brighter. Might be the cut itself, the Aussie 12″ had some of that, but this one has a bit more of… Read more »

Song_and_Dance
Song_and_Dance
Reply to  Joey
May 1, 2025 5:55 am

You are right, Joey. Every eight beats on the beat there is this odd sound in the left channel. My 12inch doesn´t have this. I listened to my record and Paul´s rip via my system and with headphones.

@Paul – maybe you can have a re-listen to this.

Toxicaudio
Toxicaudio
Reply to  Joey
May 1, 2025 10:05 am

You’re right, it sounds a little harsh. But several factors play a role here. 1. New cartridge with a higher output voltage (and I believe that’s the reason!). 2. The break-in time hasn’t been reached yet. 3. The pressing itself. 4. The summing of various instruments and frequencies. The clap is only audible in the right channel. In the left channel, there’s a delayed open hi-hat. When the clap starts, it sounds harsh (see attached pic).

true
Last edited 1 month ago by Toxicaudio
Toxicaudio
Toxicaudio
Reply to  DjPaulT
May 1, 2025 12:57 pm

That’s the problem, you can’t do it. Remember when you bought the Ortofon Concord Elite MK II? It had the same problem. I wrote to you that you wouldn’t be happy with it because it has an output voltage of 8.5mV. I had the Elite MKII too and was totally disappointed by the harsh sound. Try comparing it with the same record using your old Ortofon Black Cartridge. That way you can rule out whether it’s the pressing or the cartridge. But honestly, we’re complaining at a high level here… and little things drive us crazy.

Toxicaudio
Toxicaudio
May 1, 2025 2:53 am

Thank you Paul for this great 12″. Good to hear how the sound has improved. Was the recording made after the 20 hour break in time?

Mark
Mark
May 1, 2025 1:23 am

I still have your 2019 transfer of the Australia pressing and can definitely hear more detail and warmth with the new Concorde Black cartridge transfer.

Such a legendary track and remixes.

Thanks Paul 🙂

ING
ING
April 30, 2025 10:43 pm

Iconic. Simply one of those tracks that was perfectly fine in it’s original form along with the perhaps even better b-side 1963, but became a whole ‘nother amazing thing in Shep’s hands. Simply never wanted to hear the album version again after the remix, even the edit from the Bright Lights, Big City soundtrack beats the album version. Still prefer the numerous colored leaves version of the sleeve over the single leaf one though. I have this one on a short lived CD Video Single as well…

Thanks! Great way to kick off the new cartridge!

Retro Hound
Retro Hound
April 30, 2025 7:24 pm

What better way to show the capabilities of your new cartridge than with this iconic New Order single! Looking forward to “test driving” this new transfer. Absolutely iconic song, probably New Order’s best. Can’t help but think of this in the movie Bright Lights, Big City. Shep Pettibone’s involvement is bonus. And Stephen Hague had the Midas touch then. He produced the soundtrack for the great John Hughes movie Some Kind Of Wonderful. Thank you Paul!!

Johnny42
Johnny42
April 30, 2025 3:53 pm

Thank you for the share Paul!

martin
martin
April 30, 2025 3:25 pm

The True dub mix is probably my fave New Order remix of all. Not only True Faith but also, or even more, True Bliss!

David S CA
David S CA
April 30, 2025 12:54 pm

Wow! Paul, your digitization of this sounds fantastic. Warmer, clearer, with more bass, just as you described the characteristics of the sound produced by your new cartridge.
Congratulations on the new acquisition. We all look forward to everything that follows, whether it’s a new transfer or a revisit to some of your favorites.

Malik Jefferson
Malik Jefferson
April 30, 2025 11:09 am

Can you post level 42 world machine 12” remixes
on the a side edits by Omar Santana (in the beginning only) remix by Shep Pettibone please
https://www.discogs.com/release/976523-Level-42-World-Machine-The-Shep-Pettibone-Remix

Fred
Fred
April 30, 2025 11:00 am

Thanks, Paul! The new Ortofon sounds great! Curious…why did you post this 12″ when you posted the Australian 12″ in the past which contains the same mixes + another track?

Joey
Joey
Reply to  Fred
April 30, 2025 3:27 pm

Well, that was 6 years ago and a different territory pressing and a different cartridge, and it is no longer available… Great opportunity to do a digital shootout between the two if you have the old files. This 12″ is iconic and really would be missing from a Shep Pettibone remix series. Thanks again Paul, really looking forward to giving this a close listen.

Jeff
Jeff
April 30, 2025 10:56 am

Hi Paul!!

Great that you’re using your new cartridge, especially out on a New Order twelve inch!! I can’t wait to check it out.

I hope you’re feeling well and you’re enjoying your new piece of audio equipment!!

Jeff

Richard TexTex
Richard TexTex
April 30, 2025 10:38 am

amazing 12 inch, iconic remix, iconic song, thanks for all

Moodle
Moodle
April 30, 2025 10:26 am

Thank You posting! How are you feeling?
Just tried a quick listen but listening via my PC’s built in DAC is offering a lot of Sibilance with that synthesizer note. Will try on my higher end headphone DAC later on to see if that disappears. How are you liking the $600 Ortofon Concorde Music Black cartridge so far?

rilopes64
rilopes64
April 30, 2025 10:02 am

One of the most complete packages from New Order: wonderful song, brilliant video and a remix that “burns the ground”.

Last edited 1 month ago by rilopes64
rilopes64
rilopes64
Reply to  rilopes64
April 30, 2025 10:21 am

Ooops…forgot to talk about the COVER: one of the greatest Peter Saville’s work!

Last edited 1 month ago by rilopes64
Raymond
Raymond
April 30, 2025 10:01 am

As the years go by, I appreciate New Order more and more. Thanks!