After 16 long years The Cure are back, with their long awaited album Songs of a Lost World.

In this moody epic, the group introspectively delves into complex themes of loss, isolation, grief and mortality, in what could be considered their most personal release yet. This album comes face to face with the idea of impermanence. Everything eventually ends and this release showcases front man Robert Smith as he grapples with the inevitability of this concept through his profound lyricism.  

The Cure changed the face of the music industry years ago with their alternative style. Their influences can be seen still today, in genres ranging from gothic-rock to post-punk and indie. This album brings a new addition to their renowned discography and is arguably their best work in years. Songs of a Lost World marks their first album to reach number 1 in the U.K. since Wish was released back in 1992, and you’ll see why.

Similarities to Disintegration

Fans will no doubt remember The Cure’s 1989 masterpiece Disintegration, the 8th studio album released by the band. This album was recently named one of Apple music’s top 100 albums of all time and for good reason.

 
At the time of its release it was the band’s most successful album to date, and dealt heavily with Robert Smith’s fear of turning 30 and watching his youth slip away on him. Songs of a Lost World similarly follows Smith grappling with his acceptance of aging and his own mortality, this time perhaps in a more profound way that seems more potent emotionally. Smith was battling depression when making Disintegration, since their last release 16 years ago Smith has lost his brother and all remaining aunts and uncles in his family. Songs of a Lost World deals with this trauma and grief.

 
The melancholic approach taken in Disintegration was notable, but in comparison to this new release seems a little more adolescent and slightly less impactful. One thing is for certain, the group’s signature existential angst can be felt heavily on both albums. Clever usage of long, instrumental introductions in Songs of a Lost World, seem to create an added layer of depth that’s not always present on its predecessor.
The group showcase their ability to work as a unit and manage to pay homage to their earlier work with familiar sounds, but here they seem to do so from a newer, more mature perspective. 

What to expect on Songs of a Lost World

This album will take listeners on an introspective journey into their own mortality. Smith masterfully showcases his lyrical brilliance which is matched beautifully by the band’s haunting soundtrack. Simon Gallup’s rhythmic bass and some layered guitar work showcase the band’s instrumentation and amplify Smith’s lyrical reflections and somber meditations. 

Tracks like I Can Never Say Goodbye show us Smith dealing with the loss of his brothers life “Something wicked this way comes, to steal away my brothers life”, while All I Ever Am looks more inwardly at ageing “My weary dance with age and resignation moves me slow, towards a dark and empty stage”. Similarities can be drawn here to Endsong, the final song on the album and aptly titled; “I’m Outside in the dark, wondering how I got so old, it’s all gone, nothing left of what I loved”. This 10 minute spectacle perfectly summarises the entire album, long instrumental introductions, building tension and setting the scene for Smith’s lyrics to come in and together leaving a lasting impact that hits hard enough to bruise. 

We also see the band making some social commentary on this album, more so than they are usually known for in Warsong : “We tell each other lies to hide the truth ... everything we do is shame, wounded pride, vengeful anger.”

Smith’s lyrics on this album highlight the band's transition from post-punk, petulant boys to introspective older men, maturing with their fan base to bring us this thought provoking and contemplative album about mortality and grief.

Experience “Songs of a Lost World” on Vinyl at The Record Hub

This new album from The Cure perfectly exemplifies the group's ability to mature with their dedicated fans. They’re not trying to appeal to a younger generation for capitalisation, but allowing their age and vulnerability to take centre stage. Exploring concepts that will plague all of our minds eventually, this album beautifully reckons with the inevitability of growing older and losing loved ones.

According to the group there will be more albums to come, but if this was in fact not the case they could rest easily knowing that they ended their stellar career on a massive high. Thematically speaking this album would suit perfectly as a final chapter to their legacy and could be viewed as a self spoken eulogy of sorts. But let’s stay hopeful that there’s still more great music to come.

Please note: The deadline for Christmas delivery has now passed. Orders placed now will be processed as normal but may arrive after the Christmas. Don’t wait—secure your copy of Songs of a Lost World on vinyl today at The Record Hub!