As The Cure readies the release of their highly anticipated new album, Songs of a Lost World, frontman Robert Smith has taken a moment to reflect on the band’s past work. In a recent interview, Smith revealed which album in The Cure’s discography he likes the least, while also sharing insights into the making of the upcoming record.
Songs of a Lost World, set to be released on November 1st, 2024, will be the band’s first studio album in 16 years. During this time, Smith has been candid about his approach to new material, emphasizing that any new work must be able to stand up to The Cure’s rich legacy. Smith has stated that he would only release new music if he believed it could enhance their already iconic catalog.
The album has been a long time in the making, with Smith first mentioning it back in 2019. Although much of Songs of a Lost World was recorded that year, the release was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic and The Cure’s extensive world tour. Now, fans are eager to hear the album, which explores themes of grief and loss, as hinted at in the singles “Alone” and “A Fragile Thing.”
Robert Smith Reflects on The Cure’s Discography
In an interview with BBC 6 Music’s Matt Everitt, recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, Smith reflected on how songs from previous Cure albums align with Songs of a Lost World. This provided fans with a unique perspective on Smith’s thoughts about the band’s extensive back catalog.
Smith singled out notable tracks like “To Wish Impossible Things” from the 1992 album Wish. He shared, “That’s another one of my favorite Cure songs. We never play that one, I don’t know why, but it would fit happily— or unhappily— on this new album.”
Another track that holds a special place for Smith is “Untitled” from Disintegration. He said, “That is one of my favorite Cure songs. I like that I didn’t title it. I know it’s really stupid, but I had the courage to not bother thinking of a title.”
Despite having reservations about certain songs in the past, Smith has come to appreciate tracks like “The Last Day of Summer” from the 2000 album Bloodflowers. Reflecting on this song, he admitted, “That’s become a favorite. I was never quite sure about it as a song, but I think it’s a good one now.”
Robert Smith’s Least Favorite Album: The Cure (2004)
While Smith spoke positively about many songs from The Cure’s history, he was less enthusiastic about their self-titled album, The Cure, released in 2004. Smith revealed that The Cure is his least favorite album, despite its standout track “Before Three.”
“The Cure album is probably my least favorite album that we’ve made,” Smith confessed. “I don’t like some of it. It’s the only album that I don’t think works. ‘Before Three’ is a good song, though—that one would probably work.”
The Future of The Cure: New Albums on the Horizon
As fans eagerly await the release of Songs of a Lost World, Robert Smith has already hinted at what’s to come. During the same interview, he revealed that the band had recorded around 25 to 26 songs back in 2019, spanning three albums. While Songs of a Lost World is the first of these albums to be completed, Smith shared that a second album is nearly finished, and he has ambitious plans for a third, though it presents more of a challenge.
Smith joked, “I’ve tried to get three albums completed. After waiting this long, I thought, ‘Let’s just throw out Cure albums every few months!’” He continued, “The second one is virtually done, but the third one… well, we’ll see if we get that far. Talking about the third album, you see what I mean? I just can’t help myself.”
With Songs of a Lost World launching on November 1st and The Cure set to perform an intimate show at The Troxy in London on the same day, fans are gearing up for a new era of music from the legendary band. Tickets for the performance will be available exclusively to those who pre-order the album, offering a unique opportunity for die-hard fans to experience The Cure live in an intimate setting.
As anticipation builds, it’s clear that Robert Smith and The Cure are far from done making their mark on the music world. Whether reflecting on past works or preparing for future releases, Smith’s dedication to The Cure’s legacy remains unwavering.
Conclusion
The upcoming album Songs of a Lost World promises to be a significant release for The Cure, as Robert Smith navigates personal themes of loss while continuing to build on the band’s enduring influence. With two more albums potentially on the horizon, the future of The Cure looks brighter than ever.