Unknown Pleasures, Closer and Love Will Tear Us Apart
Two studio albums, a single, Still and a compilation: that is the Joy Division catalogue. Here is each one in order, and how it connects to the designs in our shop.
What was our first album?
Unknown Pleasures, June 1979. Our debut on Factory Records, produced by Martin Hannett. It is the only album we released while Ian Curtis was alive, and it set down the dark, atmospheric sound people know us for. Our gig-poster design carries its name in handwritten letters across the top.
What came next?
Closer, July 1980. Our second studio album, again with Martin Hannett on Factory. It reached number 6 on the UK Albums Chart. If you like quiet, serious designs, the serif-capital pieces in the shop sit well with this record.
What about Love Will Tear Us Apart?
Our single Love Will Tear Us Apart came out in June 1980 and reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. Its title is the centre of one of our simplest designs: JOY DIVISION above LOVE WILL TEAR US APART, in two lines of classical capitals.
What came after Closer?
Still, 1981, and the compilation Substance, 1988. Together with the two studio albums and the single, they make up the Joy Division catalogue. Substance is a good place to start if you're new to the band.
How do I pick a design by record?
- Unknown Pleasures: the gig poster with the wave lines, or the full field of stacked waves
- Closer: the plain serif word designs
- The single: the Love Will Tear Us Apart title card