No song from 1975 can truly sound like Joy Division, as the band's distinctive post-punk sound and official recordings emerged in the late 1970s. Joy Division's unique sonic landscape—characterized by Ian Curtis's somber vocals, Peter Hook's high melodic bass, Bernard Sumner's atmospheric guitar, and Stephen Morris's precise drumming—was groundbreaking for its time and became highly influential after 1975.
Joy Division's Emergence and Influence
Joy Division formed in 1976 in Salford, England, initially under the name Warsaw. Their first official release, the EP An Ideal for Living, didn't arrive until 1978. Their seminal debut album, Unknown Pleasures, which solidified their iconic sound and included tracks like "Disorder," was released in 1979. Therefore, it is chronologically impossible for a song from 1975 to directly "sound like" Joy Division.
Key Milestones for Joy Division's Sound:
- 1976: Band forms as Warsaw.
- 1977: Renamed Joy Division.
- 1978: Release of the An Ideal for Living EP and first recordings for John Peel sessions.
- 1979: Release of the highly influential debut album, Unknown Pleasures.
While there were proto-punk and early post-punk bands active in 1975, none had developed the specific atmospheric, stark, and often bleak sound that would become synonymous with Joy Division years later. Their influence became profound in subsequent decades, shaping countless bands in the post-punk, new wave, and alternative rock genres.
For instance, the band The 1975, who also originated from Macclesfield, found it impossible to avoid the deep cultural presence of Joy Division's influence in their hometown. Matty Healy of The 1975 explicitly stated that their song "Give Yourself a Try" references Joy Division's "Disorder" (released in 1979), highlighting that Joy Division's impact and sound came to prominence well after 1975.
In summary, any song from 1975 would predate the formation and distinctive musical output of Joy Division.
