It is the companion to a similar singles compilation by New Order's predecessor band Joy Division, also entitled Substance.

While Substance presents a sizeable collection of singles, there are many omissions and differences to be found from the original single releases: The standard tape version, due to the extra space befitting the format, also contains extra tracks in the form of "Dub-vulture", "Shellcock", and "Bizarre Dub Triangle", as well as the actual "Mesh" (mislabeled "Cries and Whispers", again identically to the "Everything's Gone Green" sleeve).

[12] According to Sputnikmusic, it showcased New Order's mix of post-punk and dance styles with 12-inch singles remixed for club play and became the band's "most popular, well known, highly rated [record] and arguably their most influential".

[10] In a contemporary review for The Village Voice, music critic Robert Christgau said that the album's vinyl edition showcases New Order's discipline and chemistry as a band whose musical style is improved upon by the 12-inch mixes: "Pure rhythm machine with an ironically mysterious overlay of schlocky melody to help it go down, this album is a case study in sensationalist art, and I say the world is better for it.

[16] In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that the album revealed the band's strength as songwriters with a few of the best pop songs from the 1980s represented by "Blue Monday", "Bizarre Love Triangle", "Temptation", and "True Faith".

[20] All tracks are written by New Order (Peter Hook, Gillian Gilbert, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner), except where indicatedAll tracks are written by New Order (Peter Hook, Gillian Gilbert, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner), except where indicatedAll tracks are written by New Order (Peter Hook, Gillian Gilbert, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner), except where indicatedThe first two CDs are the same as the 1987 CDs, but remastered, except that "The Perfect Kiss" is now the unabridged 12-inch version (whereas "Sub-culture" and "Shellshock" remain the abridged 12-inch versions).

The video includes linking sequences which are animated to the accompaniment of instrumental sections from "The Happy One", an otherwise unreleased track from the Technique sessions.