Artist: The Cure Album: Songs Of A Lost World Genre: Post Punk, Gothic Rock, Darkwave Release Date: November 1st, 2024
After 16 years, The Cure is back with Songs of a Lost World, a record that feels like it’s emerged slowly from the shadows rather than sprung from some dramatic comeback narrative. True to form, Robert Smith doesn’t lean on big hooks or flashy production; instead, he lets the music unfold on its own terms, taking its time in the way that only a band with nothing left to prove can.
The opener, “Alone,” stretches just over seven minutes, easing listeners in with a low, simmering energy that only The Cure could pull off without it feeling indulgent. Smith’s vocals and guitar seem to know exactly where they’re headed, yet the track’s pacing is in no rush to get there, establishing a calm intensity.
With tracks like “I Can Never Say Goodbye” and “And Nothing Is Forever,” Smith & Co. showcase a more reflective, refined side. These aren’t songs that desperately reach for anything new, but rather, they look at The Cure’s legacy from a slightly different angle, like an old painting in new light. The inclusion of “Drone:Nodrone” which dips into some unexpected industrial textures, adds a modern twist without breaking the album’s cohesive flow. It’s a reminder that The Cure isn’t here to simply rehash their classics, even if they still sit comfortably within the sound that made them legends.
Critics have been quick to point out the album’s subtleties. Pitchfork praised it for its restraint, noting that it “cuts the fat” often found in the band’s later albums. Meanwhile, NME calls it “a masterful reflection on loss,” hinting at a sense of wisdom layered in each track. But ultimately, Songs of a Lost World doesn’t feel like it’s trying to appease critics or the charts; it’s a collection of songs that stand on their own, born from the kind of creative freedom that only a band like The Cure could command at this point in their career.
This isn’t the type of album that asks for immediate attention, nor does it need it. Instead, Songs of a Lost World feels designed to quietly take root, evolving with each listen. For fans, it’s a reminder that The Cure has never been about reinvention for reinvention’s sake—they’re about building worlds and inviting listeners to linger as long as they like.
