It is the band's final album to feature guitarist Johnny Marr.

The album's cover was designed by artist Andy Dog Johnson, Matt's brother.

In the NME, Terry Staunton wrote, "It can be a struggle at first, as Johnson never lets up from his blacker-than-black world-view, but Dusk is a rich and hugely rewarding experience which draws you to its cold bosom again and again.

"[7] In Melody Maker David Bennun observed that it was "a remarkably straightforward album" for Johnson and wrote, "Like Nick Cave, Johnson protects himself from the ridicule he invites with bombastic self-caricature.

"[11] Sam Samuelson of AllMusic declared it one of Johnson's "most accomplished products to date.