Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

Unknown Pleasures At 40: Our Favourite Artists On Joy Division’s Debut

As Joy Division's still-staggering debut album turns 40, we present a Baker's Dozen of Baker's Dozens featuring artists and writers who picked Unknown Pleasures among their favourites of all time

Joy Division’s debut Unknown Pleasures is turning 40. In the time since its release on Factory Records, in June 1979, it has reached a status held by only a few other albums, that of a bona-fide masterpiece. Even its sleeve is, and we mean this in the actual sense of the word, iconic.

It is no wonder that in the time we’ve been running our Baker’s Dozen series in which musicians discuss their favourite music, Unknown Pleasures has appeared time and time again as a formative influence on artists of every stripe. To celebrate the record’s four decades, we decided to go back over the archive for tales from some of our favourite, compiled in this Baker’s Dozen of Baker’s Dozens. There’s also an entry from tQ head honcho himself, John Doran, and some brand new words from LoneLady on one of her favourite records.

Click the photo of those iconic pulsar readings below to get things underway. For an archive of every Baker’s Dozen from over the years, head here.

First Record

Previously Read

The Quietus Digest

Sign up for our free Friday email newsletter.

Support The Quietus

Our journalism is funded by our readers. Become a subscriber today to help champion our writing, plus enjoy bonus essays, podcasts, playlists and music downloads.

Support & Subscribe Today