Closer Review: A Haunting Farewell
9.5/10 — Joy Division - Closer (1980)
Pros
- Haunting atmosphere
- Hannett's spacious production
- Curtis's commanding voice
Cons
- Relentlessly bleak
- Heavy context
Closer was released two months after the suicide of singer Ian Curtis, and it’s hard to separate from that. Produced by Martin Hannett, it has a spacious, icy sound.
What works
‘Isolation’, ‘Heart and Soul’ and ‘The Eternal’ are chilling and moving, and ‘Atrocity Exhibition’ and ‘Twenty Four Hours’ are intense. Curtis’s baritone and Hannett’s production create a stark, otherworldly atmosphere.
Where it falters
It’s relentlessly bleak and can be hard to enjoy, and its context overshadows the music.
Verdict
A tragic, unforgettable record.
