#unknownpleasures

[fowlbay]

all this

[punkrockhistory]

🖤

Original cover design by Peter Saville in collaboration with the band

[tewje]

dalej dzielę się tym, co ludzie których znam tworzą

[gavintatesmusicjournal]

[gavintatesmusicjournal]

Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures (Vinyl) Album Overlook

06/11/25

By Gavin Tate

for Gavin Tate's Music Journal

[adryien6]

Breaking the Stigma of the First Album

Many believe that Unknown Pleasures is what started it all for Joy Division. Technically speaking, this is true as it was the band’s first album; however, there is too much evidence to say that it was the only contributor to their rise in prevalence. In the same sense, it is not enough to conclude that Joy Division only had an everlasting effect on the music industry either. 

From my perspective, the band’s popularity still remains strong despite only having two released albums a little over forty years ago. I find it utterly fascinating that regardless of the amount of time that has passed, we are still seeing new and old fans alike keep this band alive and prospering.  “But why?” you may ask. Why does a band this brief and this “old” still receive this much love and support?

For me, I know that I was exposed to Joy Division from a very young age via my mother. It was something that she listened to while growing up–along with The Cure, New Order, The Smiths, and the Pet Shop Boys. She is what kept this band alive for me and inspired me to explore the topic a little more. Although there are many who can relate to my story, it still does not answer our question upfront. Instead, it requires a little more digging. For instance, did you notice a trend within the bands I listed? Each band not only came out after Joy Division, but also harbours similar stylistic choices and genres within their music. 

Joy Division marked the beginning of the post-punk era of music influenced by the increased use of synthesisers, jangly guitars, pop hooks, Angular sounds, and a whole lot of emotion hidden in between lyrics. Individuals at the time found this evolved genre to be intriguing and unique which is why they rose in popularity so quickly. In future years, their workings only inspired countless artists worldwide, many of which hold the utmost respect for the band. (this is explored more thoroughly in another post) 

Likewise, there is one more thing I would like to add before closing this introduction. I also believe that another prominent contributor to Joy Division's eternal flame is the humanity that they expressed through their music and backgrounds. In truth, they did not know what they were getting themselves into when they decided to form the band. They were all young–late teens to early twenties–individuals, balancing their own unsatisfying jobs and greyscale lives with an opportunity that had unbeknownst outcomes for all of them. Moreover, they had their own struggles and hardships–especially lead vocalist, Ian Curtis– which they managed to convey throughout the workings of their music. Thus, allowing for others to relate to these feelings for endless years to come.

Sources:

Coombs, Charlie. “How Joy Division Changed Music - Thred Website.” Thred Website, 18 June 2019, thred.com/culture/how-joy-division-changed-music/. Accessed 30 May 2023.

[platanosconlechera]

Peter Hook and The Light @ The world is a vampire. #unknownpleasures #closer #joydivision #neworder #lovewilltearusapart #postpunk #newwave #peterhook #peterhookandthelight #theworldisavampire https://www.instagram.com/p/CpakK6aOGKF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[djalienspagan]

#unknownpleasures #joydivision https://www.instagram.com/p/CpTMlS4opBw/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=