Songs Of A Lost World

As someone who's been into The Cure for just over 40 years, both loving and loathing their output in that time-frame, I feel entitled to share an opinion or two here. I'll keep it short though ;-) . You could oversimplify things and say that there are two types of Cure music - the insanely jolly and the intensely melancholic. This being the case, I would take the intensely melancholic all day (or rather, night) long! No band (other than, probably, Joy Division) have ever captured, so eloquently, the sound of an isolated and anguished soul. In the case of The Cure, for 'isolation', listen to "Faith"; for anguish, try "Pornography" (the latter being my personal favourite Cure album and probably my favourite album of all time). So, where does this latest offering sit on the jolly/suicidal scale? .... You know when you hear an album that ends on an epic, sweeping, melancholic 'anthem' of a song that seems to perfectly round-off the whole piece? Well, "Songs Of a Lost World" is an album that contains NOTHING BUT those sorts of 'final' tracks. The various songs don't rise and fall much in terms of mood/tone/tempo, with 'jolly jigs' here and 'weepy instrumentals' there (as on many Cure albums) - it's just a series of sublime, but somehow epic, power-ballads and introspective 'confessionals'. I love it! Best of all, Robert Smith is in his '60s now ... and he writes like he is! The lyrics are full of regret and a feeling of hollowness caused by the passing of time. Depressing if you're a teenager, but strangely reassuring if you're (nearly) as old as the band and are wondering where all that time went ;-) . Anyway, if you're the sort of Cure fan who stopped dying their hair black (and crimping/back-combing it) and sold off your entire Cure back catalogue when they released the "Love Cats" single in 1983 (then punched yourself in the face for ever liking them at all when, "Mixed Up" came out in 1990) ... it may just be time for you to come back into the fold. Basically, if you liked, "Faith" and "Disintegration", but disliked most of, "Kiss Me", "Wish" and (most especially) "Bloodflowers", you should probably buy THIS one. Similarly, even if you are a complete newbie to the world of '80s 'Goth rock' (a term that the band, quite rightly, despise and deny), this latest (last ever?) Cure album could well be a really good place to start your digging into their glorious past. As for the product itself, I bought the vinyl LP and am pleased to report that (in spite of the inner sleeve adding a fair bit of 'dust' to the surface of the record) it plays very well and sounds full and clear. You should get Autorip included as well, so you can enjoy the 'click and pop-free' sound of digital, should you wish. Closing thought: If Robert Smith decided to stop making music now and this was the last Cure album that he (and Simon) gave to the world, it would be the most beautiful parting gift imaginable. And, judging by the lyrics, it just might be! Hope that helped!?

I got RSV last weekend and have been poorly all week. I had read an article online comparing this album to Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon'. Yes, there is a strong influence of this band's work as well as other bands not only in this album but others that The Cure have released since their 10:15 Saturday Night days. I found myself listening to Alone, I can never say Goodbye and Endsong over and over and over (yes, to be a The Cure fan you need to have this little eccentric attitude - to want to listen to a song as one would read the same book over and over and over). Wilde once wrote that a good book has to be read many times. If this album was a book, it would be the 18th Canto of Purgatory by Dante! You may or may not find my review here being your cup of tea. However, the fact that one song is dedicated to the memory of his brother made an impression on me. I hope you find time to listen to this album beginning to end and find the song that you wish to play over and over and over as I did. It has helped me not to freak out as I let RSV run its course. Thank you, The Cure. You have been with me most of my life (since I was about 14 years old!). Fans, check it out!!!!

I have been a fan of The Cure since the mid-eighties. I'll admit I haven't listened to all of their albums, but my favourites are "Wish" and "Mixed Up". I bought "Songs Of A Lost World" in November 2024 not long after it was released and I have listened to it whilst in the car, and walking the dog so much that first thing every morning a song from the album pops into my head. This is called 'Ear Worm'. It can be an annoyance if you don't like the song. Fortunately, I love every song on the album. Robert Smith is slightly older than myself (I am fast approaching 60) and I feel that the lyrics reflect many of the feelings I have of life these days: "Remembering the hopes and dreams I had, and all I had to do. And wondering what became of that boy, and the world he called his own. I'm outside in the dark wondering how I got so old." I am writing this review in January 2025 and I still listen to the album every day. Is it depressing? Not really. Is it 'poppy'? No. Will you like it? If you are also a fan of The Cure and maybe at that age: Yes! Buy it!

I have two hifi setups, a decent Panasonic unit with Technics innards in the lounge and a top end audiophile outfit in my study. The Panasonic speakers could not cope with this cd, all crashy and illegible. Change to the other system and what came out of the excellent Q Acoustics 3050i's was high and mid range mush and boomy bass. The cd has gone back to Amazon. So far as the tracks are concerned, this should be considered as one of the records of the year. Magnificent.

The only cd that I own of this band so I cannot compare it to any of its predecessors. No matter, to my ears it stands alone as a great testament to their art. I will leave others to delve into track by track overviews. I do agree with the term used - upliftingly miserable. The content, production and musicianship are outstanding. The best thing for me personally is how listening to this album affects my mind. It feels hypnotic in a way, allowing much needed time to reflect on what life, love and loss mean. I recommend you buy this album, even if you're not already besotted by the band. It may well be the only 'Cure' album you ever need.

A classic album, if you like The Cure, or music. A masterpiece. Not to be confused with Bob Dylan.

Long awaited. And worth the wait. It's pretty dark but it's very classic Cure at their gloomy best. There are no upbeat poppy tracks on this one. It's epic soundscapes, tales of solitude and longing, backed up with soaring guitars and mournful beats. If the Cure never did another record this album would be a fantastic epitaph worthy of their long and illustrious career. This album showcases a very mature and established band that has not only kept their mojo but may have hit a new high. Highly recommended.

Great album, all songs well written, usual style but also different enough to stand alone from previous work. Obviously same depth of black melancholy reflection! My era so nostalgic to hear new album from great band.

Vino en perfectas condiciones. Aunque eso sí, el formato digisleeve hace que sea algo complicado el retirar el disco, pero esto no me molesta ya que les hago una digitalización en FLAC. El Booklet es de muy buena calidad, el papel es bastante grueso, casi como cartón y el olor, ya sea por la tinta o el papel, esmuy agradable. Sobre el disco: obra maestra, qué obra.

The Cure’s *Songs of a Lost World* is an absolute masterpiece, and it has quickly become one of my favorite albums from them. From the moment I hit play, I was reminded of *Disintegration*—it has that same haunting, atmospheric feel that made that album so iconic. The melancholic yet beautiful melodies, the intricate layers of sound, and Robert Smith’s signature voice all come together in a way that transports you to another world. The album flows so seamlessly, with each song building on the last, and it’s clear that the band has poured their heart and soul into this. The lyrics are deeply introspective and poignant, capturing that sense of longing and introspection that we’ve come to expect from The Cure but with a fresh, evolved sound. What really struck me was how it manages to evoke nostalgia while still feeling like something new. It’s like a perfect blend of the old and the new, with echoes of their earlier work but a more mature, reflective tone. Every track is rich with emotion, and the music just seems to wrap around you, making it the perfect album to get lost in. If you’re a fan of *Disintegration* or just love the unique sound of The Cure, this album is a must-listen. It’s everything I hoped for and more—a true testament to the band’s timeless ability to create deeply moving and unforgettable music.

Grandes temas de este disco de The Cure. Siguen estando en plena forma en cuanto a la composición. Me encanta este disco. Muy profundo.

Rewelacja

Tudo certo como combinado.