I'm surprised i haven't written about this album earlier. I can only describe this as crushingly dark. Ian Curtis's ethereal vocals grabbing for some sense of meaning in the horror of life. Lyricism on the level of the best poets. Each instrument striking terror in its own way. An improvement on everything form the already fantastic Unknown Pleasures.10/10

Somewhere in this album, there was inserted the last breath of Ian Curtis, this one has a more introspective overall sound than unknown pleasures, and less confined production.

Nowhere near as great as Unknown Pleasures.

Side two of this album is absolutely amazing!

This album is really nice, the first 6 tracks are varying degrees of good, all of them would make an album worth listening to, but the last 3 tracks are amazing and make his a must listen.

Unique sound. Curtis wears it all on his sleeve.

Canzoni superbe, suoni calibrati in maniera perfetta, uno scandagliare l'oscurità della musica e dell'animo umano che non è mai stato ( e credo mai sarà ) così riuscito. DEFINITIVO.

I’ve always felt personally insulted that Unkown Pleasures consistently gets more recognition than this(better cover art maybe?). I suppose it’s a little more accessible if you’re not a joy division fan. I feel In A lot of ways, that album was still a band getting used to their sound. Closer is The Joy Division sound. The production still has the trademark minimalism and icy overtones, yet feels more polished. It is relentlessly dark without the pretense of bands like the cure. Isolation, 24 hours, and my personal favorite JD song, Decades. Closer tops UP hand over first for me.

After Unknown Pleasures and this, one can only wonder how amazing their next record would have been.

Very atmospheric and compelling album. The final track, Decades, is one of the most beautiful I've ever heard and really makes the album special by releasing so much emotion at the end. A truly evocative listen. Makes a convincing case for this being among the very greatest albums of all time. Astonishing.