You might think that after being quiet for 16 years, The Cure would be in a hurry to get things started. think again. “Alone” – the first song from their new album – takes over three minutes – before we finally hear Robert Smith’s voice. The Cure is back, but definitely on its own terms.
The eight-track album “Songs of a Lost World” is lush and deeply orchestrated, lilting and powerful, often featuring several minutes of instrumental playing before any singing.
There are sad and mournful songs that confront mortality and wonder where the time has gone. “I’m out in the dark/Wondering/How I got so old,” Smith sings in the final, huge, heartbreaking ballad.
“Songs of a Lost World” is not actually of this world. No tune is less than four minutes long and the last tune slows down after 10 o’clock. In an era when music is ripe for microbursts on TikTok, Smith is nostalgic. He lets the songs take their time, unhurried and able to breathe, letting the beauty of the melodies and instruments flow.
The first and last songs are in dialogue, the first saying “It’s the end/Of every song we sing/Alone” and the last echoing this idea: “It’s all gone/Leaving you alone with nothing “Given / Every song has an end.” ” is an ending that fans will find painful.
This is The Cure’s first album since 2008’s “4:13 Dream” – although Smith has been making music, including a stellar collaboration with CHVRCHES. Eight new songs may not sound like a lot, but they’re all rich and satisfying.
One of the highlights is “I Can Never Say Goodbye”, which features a simple, insistent piano noddle surrounded by fluttering guitar work as Smith comes to terms with his brother’s death. The band also gets cinematic with “And Nothing Is Forever”, which has an Aaron Copland bright orchestral vibe, while “Warsong” is a dissonant, spiky downer that concludes with “We were born for war.”
“All I Ever Am” is built on a bright wave of music with some interesting drumming, plinky piano and fuzzy guitar, Smith’s traditionally sad lyrics: “All I ever am / Somehow never cool / That’s all I am.” I am right now.” It’s classic The Cure and still not thrilling.
We’re in the era of ’80s bands re-emerging like Cicadas – Tears for Fears, Crowded House, The, Pet Shop Boys, Duran Duran, among them – but “Songs of a Lost World” “Friday There is no attempt to reclaim “I”. I’m in love” or “In the days between.” This is a huge step. This is The Cure’s best album since “Disintegration”. Hopefully, there will be more.
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