The Cure is Back: ‘Songs Of A Lost World’ Review

In 1978 in Crawley, England, the alt-rock legends known as The Cure emerged. While the original lineup has changed over their 45-year existence, Robert Smith, the vocalist, has remained the only constant member. Currently, The Cure’s members are Robert Smith on guitar and vocals, Simon Gallup on bass, Roger O’Donnell and Perry Bamonte on keyboards, Jason Cooper on drums, and Reeves Gabrels on guitar.

By: Mallory Byl

The Cure has remained one of the most influential bands ever, as they continue to create and define entire genres of music. To name a few, they shaped post-punk, inspired gothic rock, and even influenced shoegaze in the late ‘80s. The founders of gothic rock, (though they tend to reject this label), The Cure emerged as their own genre—dark post-punk with playful, accessible pop and new-wave.

16 years after the release of their last album, The Cure released Songs Of A Lost World. Unlike many aging rock bands, it is clear that The Cure feels no need to prove themselves. They already have. Songs Of A Lost World feels like it could fit in just alongside Disintegration and Faith in the ‘80s. There are no joyful, poppy songs designed to cater to the masses, like their hits “Just Like Heaven” or “Friday I’m in Love.” Songs Of A Lost World is deliciously and unapologetically The Cure; in all its dreary, somber glory.

“This is the end/Of every song that we sing” is how the lead singer, Robert Smith opens the first Cure record since 2008. The song, “Alone” boasts a 3-minute instrumental before any singing starts. Amazingly, at 65 years old, Robert Smith sounds just as good as he did at 25.

Even 45 years into their career, The Cure is still able to make mournful, relatable albums that first captured the world’s attention. Lyrically, Songs Of A Lost World sounds like a continuation of previous goth, moody Cure records. “However we regret/All we will ever know/Is bitter ends/For we are born to war” sings Smith in “Warsong.” Smith laments themes of grief and loss in the record: “How it will end is how it will end.” “I Can Never Say Goodbye” is a heartbreaking song about the death of Smith’s brother: “Something wicked this way comes to steal away my brother’s life.”

The Cure maintains its gloomy, theatrical production on this album; especially with “And Nothing Is Forever” and “A Fragile Thing.” Smith seems to reconcile aging and his own mortality on “All I Ever Am.” “My weary dance with age and resignation moves me slow/Towards a dark and empty stage, where I can sing of all I know.” “And I’m outside in the dark wondering how I got so old/It’s all gone,” he continues in “Endsong.”

“Drone:Nodrone” is a diversion from the rest of the album. It boasts a funky, earworm chorus, almost reminiscent of some of their poppier records. “Drone:Nodrone” seems like it would be the most accessible song to someone who hasn’t delved into The Cure before; as it’s not their classic self-loathing, post-punk ballad.

Overall, Songs Of A Lost World comes off as an aging man coming to terms with his own mortality, as others die around him. This album is sure to resonate with longtime fans of the Cure, as well as attract new listeners. It offers up Smith’s incredible, dark, grief-stricken lyricism, along with long, drawn-out instrumentals and gloomy production, in typical Cure fashion.