The Cure's Robert Smith on grief, death and new album Songs Of A Lost World
Robert Smith: 'Singing New Album Helps Me Heal'
Earlier this week, The Cure performed a cozy concert for Radio 2, and it is set to air on BBC Two this weekend.
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Robert Smith, the lead singer of The Cure, mentioned that playing tracks from their latest album, Songs Of A Lost World, has aided him in coping with the sadness of losing beloved family members in recent years.
In an interview with Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 6 Music, he shared that performing live became a powerful way for him to break free from the feelings of negativity and despair he was experiencing.
"You suddenly experience a strong feeling. You sense a bond," he explained. "That's why I continue to do it... that shared experience with an audience. There's something truly special about it."
The band held a live session and later played an intimate concert for a limited crowd at the BBC Radio Theatre on Wednesday, as part of Radio 2 In Concert.
The London performance featured "Alone," marking the band's first new track in 16 years. This song serves as the lead single from their upcoming album, "Songs Of A Lost World," set to be released this Friday.
The highly anticipated album is the successor to 2008's 4:13 Dream and has been in the works since 2019, after the band celebrated their 40th anniversary with performances.
Smith shared his sense of relief after wrapping up the project, mentioning to Stephens that crafting song lyrics he finds valuable has grown increasingly challenging as he gets older.
As I've gotten older, I've noticed that it has become increasingly difficult for me to write lyrics that I truly want to sing. I can come up with words, but they just don’t inspire me to sing them like they used to.
"Reaching a stage where I feel it's valuable to sing these songs has become quite challenging," he mentioned.
He shared that his wife, Mary, whom he met in high school, played a key role in helping him complete the album's tracklist. She encouraged him to find a balance between the heavier themes and lighter elements.
I was wrapping up the darker, more somber pieces, and [Mary] told me, "No, no, no, your best albums are the ones with just a few more lively songs." She was spot on.
"I wanted to complete everything because I believed it was only right to give each song its due attention, as if they were all my little kids. I didn't want to show favoritism."
The Cure, established in Crawley, West Sussex in 1978, remains a prominent name in alternative rock, celebrated as goth icons. Their music combines themes of love, sorrow, and despair with a vibrant array of melodies.
Photo credit: Getty Images
In 1987, The Cure featured current bassist Simon Gallup (far left) alongside lead singer Robert Smith, the band's sole consistent member, who still has his signature voluminous hairstyle to this day.
Starting with their early days marked by a lack of rock music, they dissected the echoes of Joy Division's somber post-punk sound and the influence of David Bowie's Low period. As they evolved into a dominant force in indie-pop by the late 1980s, their music became characterized by Smith's poignant and reflective style.
This period produced several hit singles in the UK, such as "Lullaby" and "Friday I'm In Love," which is one of the most popular songs from their successful 1992 album, "Wish."
Guitarist and main songwriter Smith is the band's sole steadfast member, with longtime bassist Simon Gallup coming in as a close second.
Reeves Gabrels and Perry Bamonte are currently performing together on guitar, accompanied by Jason Cooper on drums and Roger O'Donnell on keyboards.
However, it's Smith's influence that stands out the most on Songs Of A Lost World, which is the band's 14th album.
With tracks dating back to 2010, recent events have added a deeply personal touch to the music, as Smith reflects on the passing of loved ones, including his brother Richard.
His passing became the catalyst for the song "I Can Never Say Goodbye"—a glimpse into the pain of sorrow, frustration, and remorse.
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As the track was featured in new songs during last year’s tour, Smith frequently found it difficult to finish the performance without being flooded with emotions. He shared with Stephens that performing the song "night after night" transformed into a truly "amazing experience."
In an interview with Matt Everitt for the most recent edition of Uncut magazine, now available on the band's YouTube channel, Smith shared how these real-life influences helped shape the album and distinguish it from their previous works.
"When you're young, you often have an idealized view of death, even if you don't realize it. But when it begins to affect your close family and friends, it changes everything," he explained.
"I really found it tough to express this in my lyrics: how to incorporate these feelings into the songs? I genuinely feel like I've changed since we last released an album, and I wanted that evolution to be reflected in the music."
The Cure played a concert to promote their first album in 16 years, titled Songs Of A Lost World.
This feeling of vulnerability and consciousness of our finite existence is prevalent, as Smith, who is now 65, confronts the passage of time with a fresh sense of urgency.
Its dark themes and mood reflect the essence of 1982’s *Pornography* and the highly praised *Disintegration* from 1989. However, *Songs Of A Lost World* is more concise, containing just eight tracks—nearly half the duration of those earlier albums.
Critics have given favorable reviews, praising Songs Of A Lost World as a successful comeback.
The Telegraph gave the album a five-star rating, with Neil McCormick noting that it's "surprisingly uplifting despite its bleakness and the best work since their debut." The Guardian also offered a four-star review, highlighting the album's introspective nature, especially its exploration of “Smith’s own identity.”
“It appears to be breaking apart,” noted Kitty Empire, even though fans thought they had a solid understanding of one of British rock's legendary figures. She also pointed out the surprising pop hit, "Drone: Nodrone"—one of Mary’s selections—as the standout track of the album.
These themes come together in the album's final track, "Endsong," an impressive 11-minute piece that was a standout moment in the band's Radio 2 In Concert performance on Wednesday. This event will be aired on BBC Radio 2, iPlayer, and BBC Two this Saturday.
Centered around a heavy, steady drum rhythm, the guitars gradually escalate to a vibrant peak filled with swirling sounds and powerful bass lines, reminiscent of the 1992 album Cut.
The Cure played live during their session for Huw Stephens' show on 6 Music.
In the lyrics, Smith reflects on his life, recalling the ambitions and dreams he once held. He ponders the fate of the "little boy" he used to be, questioning how he ended up growing so much older.
On the page, it might come across as traditional sadness, but when performed live, it feels raw and sincere, balancing fierce anger with a sense of acceptance.
In another part of the event, the atmosphere was vibrant and festive. It was packed with beloved tracks and top hits, ranging from the slow, emotional vibes of "Pictures of You" to the more upbeat tunes of "Inbetween Days" and "Just Like Heaven."
The band seemed to be in high spirits, sharing smiles with each other. Smith even got playful, dancing around during the encore that featured songs like Close To Me and Lullaby.
Finding joy in the midst of new content that seems, at times, more somber than before might not be unexpected.
In 1983, as he celebrated his 25th birthday, Smith expressed to the NME his strong dislike for the concept of having a fixed schedule for a career. "It’s a dreadful notion," he remarked. "I guess it's because I'm aging and starting to feel it."
Smith recently mentioned to The Times that the band could potentially disband around their 50th anniversary in 2028, when he will be nearly 70 years old.
In a conversation with Stephens, he joked lightly that he probably won't reach that milestone age and would be more than content just to celebrate Christmas.
However, Smith shared with Uncut that the band has nearly finished three albums after their highly fruitful recording sessions in 2019.
He tells Stephens that he's getting close to finishing his second album. "Once I've completed it, I'll take a moment to relax and think about what’s next. But until I wrap it up, I'm not focusing on what's ahead."
Time moves on relentlessly, but Smith and The Cure are definitely not prepared to remain stagnant.
Radio 2 Live Performance:
An Evening Like This
From the Border of the Dark Emerald Ocean
Friday is my favorite day!
What’s Stopping Me from Being You?
BBC Radio 6 Music performance
I Can Never Let Go
And Nothing Lasts Forever
Everything I Ever Be
