Recently, on Nov. 1, “The Cure,” a post-punk rock band which was formed in the UK, released a new album titled “Songs of a Lost World.” After 16 years without any new albums, this definitely makes up for it. 

The eight songs released in the new album include notes of piano, synthesizers, guitar, bass, and drums. The heavy, solemn lyrics of the songs and Smith’s crying voice seem to represent his time spent living on Earth, and all his love and promises he made over the years. The tracks sound like something that could’ve been made on Mars, in a beautiful star-studded universe.

“Songs of a Lost World’s” opening track, “Alone,” is a very solemn sounding song. It’s heavily laden with synthesizers and slow drum beats in order to create a lonely sound. The introduction is lengthy, but the first lyrics Smith sings are, “This is the end of every song we sing.”

“Alone” makes listeners feel empty and alone, as the title implies. It seems to be about the end of someone’s life, and how they are wondering, “Where did it go?”, which is a repeated lyric throughout the song. This song really makes me feel quite dejected, and the pain and age in Smith’s voice amplifies it.

The song “Alone,” sounds very similar to “The Cure’s” “All Cats are Grey,” which came from the 1981 album “Faith.” Both songs have long intros and somewhat minimal lyrics, and Smith sounds like he is experiencing lots of sorrow in them. His pain is echoed throughout each of the tracks from “Songs of a Lost World.”

The second song on the album, “And Nothing is Forever,” has an introduction that any Cure listener could recognize as their signature and iconic playing style. Just like “Alone,” it has a long introduction, keyboard playing and synths are used throughout the whole song.

“Promise you’ll be with me in the end,” and “my world has grown old, and nothing is forever,” are repeated lyrics in the song, that indicate that Smith is trying to signify that as time passes, he wants his love to stay by his side until the end of his life, and that he can’t be with her forever. This song is a very lovely and a very despairing song, although it does carry a slight uplifting melody. 

“All I Ever Am” is about forgetting memories, as stated in the lyric, “I misremember hopelessly.” The song is a wonderful contribution to the album, it continues with the theme and the beautiful lyrics in each song. 

The track, “All I Ever Am” also talks about time, and how Smith is battling aging, as the previous songs have thematized. A lyric I really loved was “My weary dance with age.” I thought it was very beautiful, and I believe Smith was very considerate when he wrote the lyrics to this song. 

It sums up the distinct sound of “Songs of a Lost World,” and makes it unique from the other Cure albums. For example, the 1989 debut, “Disintegration,” is meant to be depressive and gloomy, but Smith also added to it a romantic track titled, “Lovesong.” “Songs of a Lost World” is supposed to sum up Smith’s feelings on passing time, as his band has moved very far since its beginning.

“Endsong” is a 10 minute tribute to Smith’s reflection on his past and his regrets. It’s a haunting masterpiece closing the album with memorable lyrics, it plays with longing lyrics depicting how time passed so fast. 

Smith painted us a gorgeous picture of himself  “staring at the blood red moon,” and “remembering all the hopes and dreams” he had in “Endsong.” He created a beautiful, tear-ridden lullaby that in my opinion, is one of his best. Although many of his songs are wonderful, “Endsong” deserves so much praise.

The entirety of the “Songs of a Lost World” album is absolutely amazing, and “The Cure” never ceases to impress me. I would say that this album is now my second favorite, with “Disintegration” being number one. 

Robert Smith has been the frontman of the band since when it was founded in 1976, and is the only original band member left. Because he has been in “The Cure” for so long, he has become the face of it, and is beloved among fans, including myself. Among other fans, I will eagerly await what new albums “The Cure” produces in the future.

Every track tells the story of Smith’s aging, along with his regrets and sorrows. I would recommend this album to anyone who loves gothic rock, darkwave, or coldwave music, it’s perfect and beautiful, and fits The Cure’s bone-chilling, moody atmosphere.