How Joy Division Creates Haunting Despair in 1979's "New Dawn Fades"

Joy Division's 1979 "New Dawn Fades" uses a chord progression that's built for despair. By using a [minor/MAJOR/MAJOR/minor] chord structure, this song's musical composition speaks as loudly and deeply as Ian Curtis' haunting lyrics. Let's break down the bass and guitar riffs and find out exactly why this pioneering Dark Wave song is so powerful! "New Dawn Fades" is endlessly gorgeous, devastating, and fascinating. I find it impossible not to get brought deeply into its mood of existential introspection. In addition to thoughtful lyrics and hauntingly unsure lyrics, this song is written in a way that creates a cycle of brief hope and continuous dread and despair. #darkwave #joydivision #newwave #postpunk #1979 #neworder #music #piano #bass #guitar #existentialism #acoustic #goth