“This is the end of every song we sing,” so goes the first lyric to English rock band The Cure’s 14th studio album “Songs of a Lost World.” The album perfectly encapsulates a dreariness that has defined the band for decades. Founded in 1976, the band has made waves in the music industry, evolving from a 70s punk inspired vibe in “Three Imaginary Boys” to their signature moody sound in “Seventeen Seconds.” The Cure reached mainstream success in the mid to late 80s with “The Head on the Door” and “Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me”, eventually accumulating with their commonly regarded magnum opus “Disintegration” in 1989. “Disintegration” was followed by “Wish” in 1992, which reached number one on U.K. charts.
Smiths’ teased hair and red lipstick will forever remain an iconic part of the 80s music scene.The Cure’s relevance petered off in the 21st century after a handful of albums were met with mild critical acclaim. The band has made many live performances in recent years, but had not released an album since “4:13 Dream” in 2008. Now in 2024, “Songs of a Lost World” marks a return to form with its recognizable pulsing bass lines and jagged guitar solos.
The Cure’s lineup, while having shifted many times disregarding its lead singer, currently consists of lead vocalist/guitarist Robert Smith, Simon Gallup on bass, Jason Cooper on drums, Perry Bamonte and Roger O’Donnell on keyboards, and Reeves Gabrels on guitar.
The opening track “Alone” gives listeners a 3 minute instrumental intro before Robert Smith belts out the first lyrics. At 65, Smith mourns his old age with lyrics like “my world has grown old” in “And Nothing Is Forever” and “It’s too late now for me” in “A Fragile Thing.” For all his lamenting, Smith’s voice carries the same emotional weight it did in 1989.
“Drone:Nodrone” and “A Fragile Thing” are the faster paced songs of the album, though that’s not saying much. Unlike previo
us works, there is no “Friday I’m In Love” or “Just Like Heaven,” and they aren’t needed in this body of work. The few louder tunes we do get are unquestionably awesome. Gallup’s baselines are especially wonderful, and I’ll always love a good guitar solo.
“All I Ever Am” was delightfully haunting, Smith’s final line “And all for fear of what I’ll find if I just stop” shocked me when listening. “I Can Never Say Goodbye” and “And Nothing is Forever” have a fun use of keyboards, “Warsong” brings some much appreciated badassery, “All we will ever know is bitter ends/For we were born to war” is quintessentially Robert Smith.
The final track “Endsong,” a 10 minute showstopper reminiscent of “The Same Deep Water as You” or “The Snakepit” from “Disintegration” and “Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me” and is the album’s definite highlight. Mostly instrumental, the song is the standout track of the album and a beautiful, agonizing reflection of morality.
“Songs of a Lost World” thematically reminds me of David Bowie’s 2016 final album “Blackstar,” as both albums are reflections on death from artists with decades long iconic careers. But while Bowie’s final work reckons with his impending death through innovative swirling saxophones and bluesy drums, Smith does not bring the same innovation.
Nonetheless, “Songs of a Lost World” is everything I love about the band. It’s desolate and methodical and a great addition to their extensive body of work. Robert Smith has been moping about life, girls and whatever else is on his mind for 48 years. He’s Robert Smith so it’s freaking awesome and I love it. Personally, I’ve never been so excited to be sad.
Joanne • Dec 3, 2024 at 12:00 pm
Loved…..
The cures new album