At this point, Alternative Rock is as much the fabric of music as any other. Spawning an entire decade of musical domination during the ‘90s, how many among us realize that one of the forefathers of the sub-genre is none other than The Cure? Forming back in 1976, and releasing their debut album Three Imaginary Boys in 1979, The Cure is a significant part of the ‘80s music era as much as any mega act such as Depeche Mode, Madonna, Prince, or U2. However, you could argue that their significant impact has been largely overlooked for one reason or another.
An absolute hit machine during the ‘80s into the ‘90s, chances are if you ask the Average Joe to name a Cure song they would come up empty. However, if you played them anything from 1985’s “In Between Days” to 1990’s “Pictures of You,” or 1992’s “Friday I’m In Love” a light bulb will immediately go off. Beyond their recognition on charts, The Cure is also known for epic live shows where they can seemingly perform a 4-hour set for fans without breaking a sweat. With all of these rightfully earned accolades, oddly, the band would not make it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame until 2019… but then again there are many others also extremely worthy that sat in waiting for years. All ponderous to those aware of The Cure, while the band has consistently performed live for the last forty-plus decades, it may come hard to believe, but they have not released a full-length studio album in sixteen of those years. Last releasing 4:13 Dream in 2008, there have been compilations, live albums, and box sets, but not one extended album of new music. At this point, you would have to believe the possibility of it ever happening is unlikely, but here we are in 2024 on the verge of a new The Cure album.
With speculation first emerging that new music was indeed in the works when the band was celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2018, Robert Smith again reported in 2021 that it was still planned. Patiently waiting, after several delays, Songs of a Lost World finally arrives on November 1, 2024 through Fiction/Capitol Records. Featuring a list of songs the band has performed live over the last couple of years, Songs of a Lost World arrives the day after Halloween and less than a week before a massive presidential election in the United States. Epic and dramatic, the material involved was recorded between 2019 and 2022, and written entirely by Robert Smith himself. The first album since 1985’s The Head on the Door to feature solely Smith’s writing, the cast surrounding him includes Bassist Simon Gallup, Drummer Jason Cooper, plus Keyboardist Roger O’Donnell (who has not recorded a studio album with the band since 2004’s self-titled), and Guitarist Reeves Gabrels (appearing on his first-ever album with the band after joining on full-time in 2012). With these players in place, primary production was handled by Smith himself, along with Paul Corkett (who had worked with The Cure back in 2000 for Bloodflowers).
The technical aspects laying the foundation, it should also be noted that Songs of a Lost World is the first of two albums The Cure has been working on in recent years. So, if you think this is their final album, think again. That taken into consideration, Smith has alluded that he had been working on some songs that were dark and gloomy, with another set not as much. This far down the line, has to make you wonder which Songs of a Lost World could be, right?
Straight forward and honest in his tease of the new music, until recently, The Cure had kept any official announcements of Songs of a Lost World relatively quiet; until late September when the news broke out in coordination with a release of the lead single “Alone.” A mood setter with a slow tempo that does not find vocals kicking in until halfway through, it is a perfect lead into the remainder of the album. What that, you get seven more songs of darkly melodic music including the second single, “A Fragile Thing.” This single is a bit more up-tempo, if you want to call it that, it is only a sample of some of the best moments of what Songs of a Lost World has to offer.
What are those moments? That is for you to uncover, because after all, do you really want it spelled out to you after waiting sixteen years? Of course not! You should want to dive into this album full of curiosity and wonder. However, just to offer some insight, with the utmost certainty it can be assumed that Songs of a Lost World is the darker gloomier album that Smith has referred to.
This leads us to the million-dollar question – does Songs of a Lost World disappoint? Most certainly not if you are a fan of The Cure… because their signature sound is all over it. With other songs like “Drone Nodrone,” and “All I Ever Am,” among others, you will feel like you are being reacquainted with an old friend as if no time has passed. In enough words, it is classically The Cure, yet not stale or boring. Certainly a pleasant surprise after years of longing, Cryptic Rock gives Songs of a Lost World 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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