The Cure’s Gothic, Magical ‘Songs of a Lost World’ – Review
The Cure singer Robert Smith – Author: Charles Ken, Photo via Sam Rockman
The Cure have returned with their first new album in 16 years, and thankfully for longtime fans, they sound pretty much the same. Robert Smith and the Cure have always had a knack for crafting beautiful, dark gothic alternative rock, and that continues on “Songs of a Lost World.”
The Cure’s latest opus only features eight songs, but that’s okay, because every song carries its own story and journey. The album gets richer as it continues, with each song bleeding into the next. It’s not a concept album but plays like one.
Smith has been talking about “Songs of a Lost World” since 2019, so fans were at a fever pitch to finally get it, and that’s okay, because it was worth the wait. It’s an instant classic, with a full-bodied sound and very complete collection of songs.
Standout Tracks on ‘Songs of a Lost World’ – Review
The album sets off with “Alone,” a dreamy, atmospheric ballad that sounds exactly like what you would expect from a Cure album today. “Alone” was the album’s first single, and it has a commercial sound without sounding too mainstream. Sure the Cure had some radio hits, but they were never a “radio” band, so this song falls in that category of being a bit radio-friendly without sounding anywhere near cookie-cutter.
“And Nothing Is Forever” is up next, and it has the same smooth, atmospheric sound of “Alone” and fits well next to it. The sound of the album switches up with “A Fragile Thing,” which is a heavier song bringing some alternative rock riffing and wild electric guitar. The subject matter is dark and deals with Smith’s grief, but it’s still a beautiful song.
A real standout is “Warsong,” which starts with an accordion and smoothly moves into a trippy electric guitar that soars into the sky. More standouts include “Drone: Nodrone,” with a very dark tone and catchy chorus, and “I Can Never Say Goodbye,” is similar to the album’s opening track, with a smooth, clean aura.
The real showstopper is “Endsong,” an epic 10-minute song that flashes back to the Cure’s early days. It seems like a “farewell,” of sorts, and perhaps it is, but considering how prolific Smith is and how much he wrote over the pandemic, it’s surely not our last taste of the Cure. If you only listen to one song on here, make it “Endsong.” You’re welcome.
“Songs of a Lost World” is the album Cure fans have been hoping and waiting for, and while it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, that doesn’t matter, because the Cure has never been about the “wheel” or any patterns. Decades after their genesis, Smith is simply as inventive as ever. Smith has said that he wants to retire in the coming years, and that’s understandable given his age, but he certainly doesn’t need to retire for creative reasons. He’s just as talented as he was when he was first stealing hearts and fans in the ’80s, and it’s quite refreshing. It’s also nice to see a band making some of their best music years after they started out. Rating: 9/10.
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