The Cure is back, and they’re not just dipping a toe into the sonic abyss—they’re plunging headfirst. Mark your calendars for November 1st, because that’s when Songs of a Lost World will finally land, marking the band’s 14th studio album and their first in 16 years. For longtime fans who’ve been craving new music, the wait is almost over. And if you’ve been following their recent 90-date, globe-spanning ‘Shows of a Lost World’ tour, then you’ve already had a taste of what’s to come.
Songs of a Lost World is no small offering. The Cure previewed tracks from the album to over 1.3 million fans across 33 countries, receiving an outpouring of love and critical acclaim along the way. And now, the first official drop from the album is here: “Alone.” If you caught any of those tour shows, you’ll recognize this haunting opener—it’s the same track that set the tone every single night.
Frontman Robert Smith revealed that “Alone” was the key to unlocking the entire album. “It’s the track that unlocked the record; as soon as we had that piece of music recorded, I knew it was the opening song,” Smith said. He shared that the struggle to find the perfect opening line was haunting him, until inspiration hit from an unexpected place. “I had been working with the simple idea of ‘being alone,’ always in the back of my mind this nagging feeling that I already knew what the opening line should be… as soon as we finished recording I remembered the poem ‘Dregs’ by the English poet Ernest Dowson, and that was the moment when I knew the song—and the album—were real.”
Keep an eye on The Cure’s website, songsofalost.world, and their socials for the upcoming tracklist reveals. If “Alone” is anything to go by, Songs of a Lost World is going to be a dark, immersive journey into the melancholic magic that only The Cure can conjure.
It’s no surprise that the band’s return is creating such a buzz. Since forming in 1978, The Cure has sold over 30 million albums worldwide, headlined Glastonbury four times, and earned a coveted spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. They’ve become more than just a band—they’re a cornerstone of alternative music, with an influence that spans generations.
Songs of a Lost World was written and arranged by Robert Smith, with production and mixing credits shared between Smith and longtime collaborator Paul Corkett. The album features the iconic lineup that’s driven the band for years: Robert Smith (voice, guitar, six-string bass, keyboard), Simon Gallup (bass), Jason Cooper (drums, percussion), Roger O’Donnell (keyboard), and Reeves Gabrels (guitar). The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales, a setting that’s seen its fair share of legendary recordings.
As for the visuals? Smith designed the sleeve concept himself, bringing in longtime collaborator Andy Vella to handle the album’s art and design. The cover art, which features the sculpture Bagatelle by Janez Pirnat, leans into the surreal, moody aesthetic that fans have come to expect from The Cure’s releases.
Diehard collectors will have plenty of options when it comes to Songs of a Lost World. The album will be available as a 1LP, a special Miles Showell Abbey Road half-speed master 2LP, marble-colored 1LP, double cassette, CD, and a deluxe CD package with a Blu-ray featuring an instrumental version of the album alongside a Dolby Atmos mix. And, of course, there will be digital formats too, because even goth royalty needs to adapt to the times.
Prepare yourself—Songs of a Lost World is about to pull you back into The Cure’s beautiful, aching universe.
