THE CURE

EN

The Cure should not need no introduction, unless you have been living under a rock for the past decades or have a very bad taste in music. But in the latter case you would probably never read this magazine. In 1979 “Three Imaginary Boys” (Fiction Records) was released, in 2024, 16 years (!) after “4:13 Dream”, there is a new album by Robert Smith and his band. Respect! Because who can keep it up for so long, with the same passion as before? Few, that is why you should cherish this artist like a precious jewel. Of course the band has also made a number of amazing records, immortal albums of which I personally like to mention “Faith”, “Pornography”, “Disintegration” and “The Head On The Door”, the latter especially because this was the first The Cure album that I bought with my own pocket money when I was 15. The Cure and I, we have a bit of a history. In the 80s there was already The Cure. Since then they have always remained in my life and I now own every album and much more.

Once in the heart, never out again. Hence my enthusiasm for this new, and according to who know more, also the final album from The Cure. A group of friends from the God-forgotten village Crawley, founded The Easy Cure in 1978 after starting in 1976 as a band called Malice. But now back to the new album. About two years ago people were already talking about three albums, then two and finally this ‘only’ eight (8) new songs album. Let this be my only point of criticism, because I am already shouting ‘we want more’ (at least me and my black ego), even though the 8 songs together have a playing time of more than 49 wonderful minutes.

The preliminary singles already predicted it, this album will be, to use the terrible words, a bit ‘doomy’ and ‘gloomy’, melancholic and darkly atmospheric in the extension of the successful album “Disintegration”, an album where the critics who had still diarrhea from listening to the pitch-black “Pornography” had to admit that there was also a lot of sincere and tender beauty under this ‘darkness’. Well, this is no different with this “Songs Of A Lost World”. And I would like to explain why.

Opener “Alone” immediately gets under your skin, bombastic because of its hollow drums, but also with a sensitivity that only The Cure can approach. Overflowing with passion, “Alone” is something we all will be sooner or later. The song sounds loud in its deafening silence. “And Nothing Is Forever” starts with a slow, instrumental build-up that apparently becomes a bit playful because of a kind of harmonica tune. Everything gets older, also Robert Smith and his The Cure. Overflowing with melancholy and hope, especially that. Wrapped in swirling synths, waltzing rhythms and caught in the shackles of time that becomes timeless when listening to this song. Yes, at 65, Robert Smith can still write songs. That means: composing and conjuring up sensible lyrics.

“A Fragile Thing” is not really unknown anymore. Everything is fragile, just like the power of this record. That is precisely the duality of The Cure. Perhaps the most accessible song on this record, strong in its composition. As far as I’m concerned, it could have been on “Disintegration”, although the instrumentation here intertwines stronger and closer together, tighter. The guitar blows a somewhat lost wind through this song, with Robert Smith’s voice picking up the ‘black’ thread again and again. With “Warsong”, “Pornography” seems to be back in full force, slow and powerful as if the cloud cover is closing in. A guitar that hurts, curls around the mortal's suffering but with so much intensity and drama that it is simply beautiful. Heaven has fallen to earth and listens to The Cure. A sadness that no other band - and I repeat: no other band - can wrap up in such wonderful music.

Behind "Drone:Nodrone" a modern pop melody is hidden. Robert Smith actually starts 'rapping', but rest assured, not completely. You can compare it somewhat with the nothing (yes, The Cure also made that, but fortunately not too much.) Think of "Hot Hot Hot" that is hung on "Shake Dog Shake" in "The Hanging Garden", or something like that. The result is as spicy as it is strange. Time for another long intro in "I Never Can Say Goodbye", which Robert Smith wrote as a tribute to his (Continuation p21)

deceased brother. In all the pain and honesty, but even then the leader of this band excels in fragile beauty. Bass, drums, guitar, synths/piano and the typical and unique voice of Robert Smith seem to form a guard of honor... 'something wicked this way comes...'

Robert Smith is aware of all his 'smallness' and 'just being human' in "All I Ever Am", which characterizes The Cure as makers of the most honest and delicious, dark pop music. And that has been the case for decades. Finally, there is the epic "Endsong", a closer more than worthy of the name. The only pity is that after more than 10 minutes unfortunately really comes to an end. This song bites into your skin. A solid rhythm flows through the song like a lifeline, over which a sparkling blanket of guitar and synths is pulled as if it were a warm, fluffy blanket against the protection of a cold night. Is this then also the last studio song we will ever hear from The Cure? Too bad, but everything has an end, although it is rarely with the power, subtlety and finesse of this “Endsong”. It's all gone, it's all gone, I will lose myself in time. It won't be long. It's all gone, it's all gone...

Fortunately, there is still the repeat button, or the pick-up arm that is working overtime. I am flabbergasted. On repeat. With my mouth wide open. This is a monumental record, a masterpiece among the other great albums of this band where the current hit parade tunes do not even reach the ankles of these eight songs. And who in their commercial banality will never even reach it. Great. Tears and goosebumps. Music that touches, and if that is not the case, you are either Donald Trump or just a bad person. Kudos. And especially thank you to The Cure for so much unreal beauty that is locked up in each of us and that this The Cure music invariably brings out. Heart and soul. Thank you.

Back to business: “Songs Of A Lost World” has been released on regular CD, limited double CD + blue-ray (instrumental bonuses on the second CD), cassette, vinyl, limited gray marbled vinyl, as well as a double vinyl. Run to the record store now. The All Saints are dancing, I wipe away a tear. Desolate but never reckless, a bit like the cemetery on the day this album was released. Sadness bathed in a colorful but transient carpet of flowers.

Kurt INGELS
01/12/2024

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NL

De Nederlandstalige review kan u HIER lezen bij onze collega's van Dark Entries Magazine!

Kurt INGELS
01/12/2024

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