‘Atmosphere’: how Joy Division’s masterpiece was assembled
In 1979, four lads from Manchester formed Joy Division, which would become one of the most influential bands in modern rock history. That influence can be heard on tracks like ‘Disorder’, ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’, ‘New Dawn Fades’, and one of their final and best-loved singles, the appropriately titled ‘Atmosphere’.
In less than a year, Joy Division would release just two studio albums; their debut effort was the sublime Unknown Pleasures, followed just 13 months later by the claustrophobic Closer. Two albums that were so ahead of their time, they would inspire post-punk bands of the future, a lengthy list of groups that include names like The Killers, Interpol, and The National. But, in between those two landmark releases, the lead singer of Joy Division, Ian Curtis, tragically passed away at just 23 years old.
English radio personality and journalist John Peel captured the immeasurable loss. Peel was a noted fan and championed the band, as well as similar punk rock stalwarts of that era, from Echo and the Bunnymen to his personal favourites, The Fall. When Peel had the unenviable task of sharing with the world the heartbreaking news of Curtis’ untimely death, he chose to pay tribute to the band by spinning one specific song afterwards: ‘Atmosphere’.
As its title suggests, the introduction is immediate, immersive, and boldly atmospheric. Peter Hook’s iconic bass playing is the first thing we hear, representative of the writing process, as it was the first part of the song to be written. Created separately, the synths of Bernard Sumner join the track after an almost imperceptible hesitation before then being joined by the rhythmic drumming of Stephen Morris. It all sets the stage for the arrival of Curtis’ unmistakable timbre and the isolated imagery he conjured so effortlessly in his words with the opening lyric, “Walk in silence”.
Together, it is a combination that could be found in any number of classic records released over the next decade, such as The Cure and U2. Years later, in a conversation with Team Rock, Hook perfectly described the magic created by the band members individually that was then captured in the studio collectively: “The brainwave of putting them together was absolutely amazing. It is very moving and very melancholic, which Ian capitalised on with the vocal line and the lyrics.”
It’s not just a cruel reminder of what we lost with Curtis’ passing but an encouraging insight into the talent that still existed with the surviving members. There is a part of ‘Atmosphere’ that feels like it is, unofficially, the first track from New Order, which Hook, Sumner and Morris would form along with keyboardist and guitarist Gillian Gilbert, releasing their debut album Movement a little over a year later. The lingering ghosts of Joy Division hang in the ether above it.
Despite everything, it’s a song with a hint of optimism below the surface, a little light that can shine through the darkness. It’s a special track from a band of trailblazers who were still in their prime.
