Release date: 1/11/24

8/10

Compared to many in my peer group, I came to The Cure late, only discovering their output through the lead single for “The Crow” in 1994.

Since then I’ve been a fairweather fan, enjoying the likes of Wild Mood Swings but being less keen on 4:13 Dream. So, it was with some trepidation that I spun up Songs of a Lost World, their first album in sixteen years.

So what have the boys been doing with their time away? The honest answer is that they have been finding their focus and refining their sound.

Song of a Lost World is a triumph of doom-pop, with lush pianos and soaring strings. The lead guitar has just the right amount of overdrive, and the rhythm just the right of distortion. The bass is deeply set, with a nice little bit of fuzz.

Image Credit: The Cure/Fiction Records

What makes this release stick out is the song writing. Robert Smith mourns life’s woes in every song, and in a beautiful way that will make many doom-soundalikes step up their game. 

Standout tracks include A Fragile Thing and Drone:Nodrone, although I could just as easily pick any other. These songs provide an intimate listening and are worth a deep dive, I personally cannot wait to see the band on tour.

My only quibble is that every song seems to have a two minute introduction. Don’t get me wrong, I like a preamble, and when it is done well (such as Anthema’s Fragile Dreams) it really supports a song. 

However, with Songs of a Lost World, it is every song. So much so, in fact, that the listening time for 8 tracks is close to 50 minutes.

Is this album worth your time? Absolutely, and you should give it multiple listenings with a cranberry and vodka in your hand.

Featured Image Credit: The Cure, Songs of a Lost World