Last year, bassist Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order) told Consequence of Sound, “When I was on Factory [Records], Tony Wilson used to always say to us, ‘The most important song you’re ever going to write is your next one.’” But, what if the song takes over 30 years to surface? That’s the case with “Pictures In My Mind”, a rare, unfinished Joy Division track that was recently uncovered after being stolen off a rehearsal tape back in 1977. Finally, the track’s found closure, though only in theory.

As we reported last year, Hook has been planning on recording a Joy Division EP with his band, The Light, for quite some time now. On May 9th, the short gestating project will surface via Hook’s Hacienda label, titled as 1102/2011. The reworked”Pictures In My Mind” leads the pack – which also includes tracks, “Atmosphere”, “Insight”, and “New Dawn Fades”, all sung by guest-vocalist Rowetta – and is currently streaming online.

At first listen, it’s a tad jarring. The production is incredibly polished and crisp, which goes against producer Martin Hannett’s style, and Hook’s vocals are far more abrasive and gritty than Curtis’ haunting melancholic timbre. What’s also odd is that it doesn’t really sound like Bernard Sumner’s guitar work. The lines screech around too much, rather than remain subdued. Still, it’s punchy and gloomy enough to circulate some interest in the oddball project, but we’re more thrilled that the original version will surface later on as a charity single.

1102/2011 EP will be released on May 9th (via Hacienda Records). Check out “Pictures In My Mind” below, courtesy of Listen Before You Buy…