The Cure dropped a much-anticipated comeback album coincided with the spookiest week of the year, making it a delightfully eerie occasion. In the lead-up to the release of Songs of a Lost World on Friday, November 1st—marking the band’s first LP in 16 years—they performed an intimate set in London for the BBC, which aired on Halloween Eve on both TV and radio. Songs of a Lost World addresses new challenges. Robert Smith has mentioned that the tracks on this album were influenced by the death of his brother and the collective grief experienced during the pandemic.
Speaking prior to its release, Smith said that “Alone” was the song that spurred momentum towards completing their long-gestating record. Partings play a huge role in providing Songs of a Lost World its emotional heft, which is none more apparent than “I Can Never Say Goodbye.”
It has been written in response to the death of Robert’s elder brother Richard, the song paints an image of a “November moon in cold black rain” on the night of his sibling’s passing.
Songs of a Lost World is indebted to their 1989 masterpiece Disintegration, which is a perfect record that fused hit singles like “Lovesong” — which landed at No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Six tracks from Disintegration made their way into the setlist, with “Fascination Street” and “Pictures Of You” encouraging a collective swoon.
The Cure’s live performances regularly breach the three-hour mark and their setlists feature even representation amongst their most beloved albums. Even if the energy dips a bit, there are multiple bangers to chuck in and get a rise out of their devoted crowd again.
The fact that “Close To Me” and “Just Like Heaven” — their finest love song — can be played consecutively. The band also paid homage to their second album before the band’s third and final act.
“Secrets” received its first live airing since 2011, as did the lesser-played “M.” The pulsing “A Forest,” the band’s first real foray into noirish undertones, remains potent and eerie.
A Cure encore is one of the most joyous in all of rock music: “Lullaby,” “Friday I’m in Love,” “Close to Me,” “Why Can’t I Be You?,” and “Boys Don’t Cry” come thick and fast. The fans were overwhelmed with joy as the band said their goodbyes, with Smith slow to leave the stage.
