The Cure are back and it feels like they’ve never left. Songs Of A Lost World (SOALW) is a return to the band’s goth roots, heavily elevated by layered production and a mesmerizing sound that’s eerily familiar but fundamentally new.
Containing just eight songs, SOALW is a condensed listen that functions as a true showcase of The Cure’s unbelievable talent. The album begs for repeat listens with each song sounding just as rich and dense as each other.
Although it’s been sixteen years without new music, lead vocalist Robert Smith has teased SOALW since 2019, meaning fan expectations going into the album were immense, thankfully, SOALW lives up to the hype and has quickly become a modern goth classic.
“There’s nothing you can do to change the end”
Alone kicks the album off. Being the first single released for the SOALW, fans are very familiar with its dream-like sound and unparalleled soundscape. As a good opener should, Alone sets up the soundscape approach the band took to the album and shines a light on the rich grief-stricken lyricism that builds the mood of the album.
And Nothing Is Forever follows in Alone’s footsteps quite closely, featuring the same lengthy build-up that transitions smoothly into Robert Smith’s gorgeous voice. It’s a perfect companion piece to the opener, even if both songs sound pretty similar.
A Fragile Thing brings in some heavier alt-rock elements with a thumping bass line and pendulum-style electric guitar melody that fills up most of the song’s large soundscape. Born from Robert Smith’s grief the song is a hard listen, but it remains one of the best songs in the album.
Warsong closes the first half of the album off in an interesting way. Opening with an accordion, the song quickly transitions into a moody electric guitar piece that sounds like it has been ripped right out of Disintegration
“Shadows growing closer now”
Drone: Nodrone stands out against the brooding tracks of SOALW as even though it has a dark tone and even darker subject matter, the sing-along chorus and more energetic sound make it a bit of a confusing listen, even if the screeching guitars are a welcome return
I Can Never Say Goodbye brings that full circle, acting as another echo of the opener. Smith sings of losing someone he loves, the clearest lyric being “Something wicked this way comes, to steal my brother’s life”. The entire album deals with loss and its presence as an all-encompassing emotion, and this song goes to show how powerful it can be.
All I Ever Am kicks the energy up once more with a head-bang-worthy bass line that opens the song. Dealing with similar themes as the previous songs, All I Ever Am still finds a way to stand out due to its electrifying bridge and heart-wrenching final lines.
Endsong is a ten-minute epic that closes The Cure’s long-awaited return with a bang. Calling back to the songs of their early work in the beginning, the band found a way to innovate by implanting newfound depth to their old sound. Most of this added depth is due to the band’s approach to drafting soundscapes rather than traditional songs. Endsong somehow feels like a last cry for help and a final understanding of grief both at the same time. If you’re going to listen to any song off of SOALW, make sure it’s this one.
“It’s all gone”
SOALW is a hard listen for anyone who’s struggled with grief in the past, but as a piece of art, it stands out as a pure portrayal of how hard it can be to get through.
As someone who still struggles with grief, this album hit me harder than I thought it would. Even after multiple listens I still find myself getting slightly teary by the time Endsong begins.
If you’re a fan of goth music or just a fan of The Cure, I implore you to listen to SOALW it’s an album you’ll never forget
Stream Songs Of A Lost World here.
Featured image credit: Stereogum
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