What makes Still by Joy Division notable?

'Still' serves as both a tribute to Ian Curtis and a significant document of the band's artistic journey, capturing their unique sound and emotional depth. The album is notable for including 'Dead Souls,' which has been extensively covered by various artists and remains influential within the post-punk genre. Released on October 8, 1981, 'Still' came out shortly after the tragic passing of frontman Ian Curtis, marking a poignant moment in Joy Division's legacy. This album is a collection of previously unreleased tracks and live recordings that showcases the band’s evolution during their brief yet impactful career.

Still works well if you're into haunting atmosphere of nostalgia, dynamic live performance energy and wave-like pacing with contrasts.

How many songs are on Still?

Still has 20 tracks, running approximately 78 minutes.

Released 45 years ago this October

Still

Joy Division · 1981

78 min · 20 tracks · post-punk

A haunting blend of ethereal melodies and driving rhythms that encapsulates the raw emotion of post-punk.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Dead Souls — This track exemplifies Joy Division's ability to evoke darkness and existential dread through its driving bassline and haunting vocals, making it a definitive piece of their repertoire.
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Ceremony — 'Ceremony' represents a significant turning point for the band, blending urgency with melancholic themes that resonate deeply with listeners, especially in light of Curtis’s passing.
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Isolation — The song's exploration of alienation is underscored by its stark instrumentation and compelling vocal delivery, highlighting the band's signature post-punk sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The mix of studio and live tracks creates an uneven flow, but the emotional weight and distinctive sound remain compelling.

What we noticed

The album opens with a studio track, 'Exercise One,' followed by several unreleased tracks before transitioning into live recordings from various performances.
Tracks like 'Dead Souls' maintain a consistent tempo and haunting atmosphere, while live tracks exhibit raw energy and audience interaction.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

haunting atmosphere of nostalgia
dynamic live performance energy
wave-like pacing with contrasts
reflective moments for introspection
raw emotional resonance throughout

Maybe skip if you

prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
dislike live recordings' spontaneity

Where this album fits

Career context: Released on October 8, 1981, 'Still' came out shortly after the tragic passing of frontman Ian Curtis, marking a poignant moment in Joy Division's legacy. This album is a collection of previously unreleased tracks and live recordings that showcases the band’s evolution during their brief yet impactful career.
Stylistic neighbors: The Cure· Siouxsie and the Banshees· Bauhaus