description Unknown Pleasures Overview
Unknown Pleasures is the 1979 debut studio album by the English band Joy Division, released by Factory Records and produced by Martin Hannett. Its sparse production, prominent bass, controlled percussion, and atmospheric guitar textures helped define the sound associated with post-punk. The cover, designed by Peter Saville using an image of radio pulses from a pulsar, became closely identified with the album.
insights Ranking position
Unknown Pleasures ranks #2 of 681 in the Post Punk Album ranking, behind Talking Heads – Remain in Light, ahead of Television – Marquee Moon.
help Unknown Pleasures FAQ
Why does Unknown Pleasures sound so different from Joy Division's live performances?
Producer Martin Hannett emphasized space, isolation, electronic effects, and sharply separated instruments at Strawberry Studios. Members of Joy Division reportedly preferred a more forceful live sound, but Hannett's production became inseparable from the album's identity.
What is the waveform on the Unknown Pleasures cover?
Peter Saville's sleeve uses a stacked visualization of radio pulses from pulsar CP 1919. The image was adapted from a scientific illustration that drummer Stephen Morris brought to the band's attention.
Does Unknown Pleasures contain Love Will Tear Us Apart?
No, Love Will Tear Us Apart was released separately as a Joy Division single in 1980. Unknown Pleasures, issued in 1979, includes Disorder, She's Lost Control, New Dawn Fades, and Shadowplay.
What happened between Unknown Pleasures and Closer?
Joy Division recorded Closer with Martin Hannett as its second studio album, but singer Ian Curtis died before its July 1980 release. The surviving members subsequently formed New Order and released Movement in 1981.
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