Joy Division “Unknown Pleasures” released 40 years ago today, June 15th, 1979; limited edition 40th anniversary LP on ruby red vinyl. Factory Records. Joy Division’s groundbreaking debut album is considered one of the first post-punk recordings (this, just three years after the first wave of British punk when Joy Division formed after seeing the Sex Pistols perform) as well as one of the best/most influential albums of all-time. While Unknown Pleasures did not chart upon its release, it did enter the UK album chart in 1980 after Ian Curtis’ death, peaking at #70; Joy Division did not officially release any singles from the album though a new version of “She’s Lost Control” was released in 1980 as the B-side to “Atmosphere” in the UK; the A and B sides were reversed for the US release.

Unknown Pleasures is an uncomfortable record – it is at times dense and claustrophobic while also managing to be musically and lyrically sparse and opaque. One critic described it as “a bleak nightmare soundtrack” and that’s pretty accurate. My favorite tracks are “Disorder,” “Insight,” the amazing “New Dawn Fades” (ooof – the guitar on this one!) and “Shadowplay.”