Atmosphere – An Electronic Tribute to Joy Division by Boxedge feat. Lunaria Payne
In Atmosphere, my electronic reinterpretation of the Joy Division classic, I set out to capture the emotional weight of the original — and reimagine it through the unique sonic identity of Boxedge Music.
Boxedge & Lunaria Payne – Breathing New Life into a Classic
In Atmosphere (Boxedge feat. Lunaria Payne), I blended the mechanical soul of the KR-55 with the ethereal breath of the Mellotron to honor the dark intimacy of Joy Division, while reshaping it into something new — a cyber-noir elegy wrapped in Lunaria’s ghostly voice.
This release is part of the ongoing exploration by Boxedge Music into the sound of memory, technology, and emotion. It’s not just a cover — it’s a transformation.
To do this, I worked with many synthesizers, and in particular with two iconic instruments, recreated in modern software but rooted in analogue history. These instruments shaped the sound of Atmosphere – Boxedge feat. Lunaria Payne, giving it its distinct retro-futuristic tone.
The KR-55 Drum Machine – Vintage Pulse, Electronic Precision
The first element is a digital recreation of the Korg KR-55, a vintage analog drum machine from 1979. Known for its punchy, dry rhythm and built-in patterns, the KR-55 became a defining rhythm box of the early synth-pop era.
Notably, Depeche Mode used it on their debut album Speak & Spell, featured on tracks like Just Can’t Get Enough and New Life. Its raw, mechanical groove gave those songs their tight, driving pulse — a feeling I wanted to evoke in my own electronic version of Atmosphere.
Below you can listen to a small excerpt from my track, in which only the KR-55 drum machine can be heard.
The Mellotron – Haunted Tapes from the Past
The second instrument is the Mellotron, a legendary electronic keyboard from the 1960s. Instead of synthesizing sounds, each key plays a real magnetic tape loop — recordings of orchestral instruments like strings, flutes, and choirs. The result is haunting, fragile, and deeply human.
Used by iconic bands like Genesis, especially by keyboardist Tony Banks in songs like Watcher of the Skies, Firth of Fifth, and Dancing with the Moonlit Knight, the Mellotron helped define the texture of psychedelic and progressive rock. That eerie string intro in Watcher of the Skies? Pure Mellotron — a perfect balance of nostalgia and mystery.
Below you can listen to a small excerpt from my track, in which only the Mellotron can be heard.
Below you can listen to a small excerpt from my track, in which the KR-55, Mellotron, and Lunaria Payne’s voice can be heard.
Listen now to Atmosphere – Boxedge feat. Lunaria Payne
Available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and all major streaming platforms.