The Cure's Robert Smith on Grief, New Album, and Performing Live: "Singing Helps Me Heal"

V. E. K. Madhushani
Nov 2, 2024
3 min read

Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff

V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Entertainment.

Finding Catharsis on Stage: Robert Smith and The Cure’s New Album

The Cure's Robert Smith on Grief, New Album, and Performing Live: "Singing Helps Me Heal"

The Cure’s frontman, Robert Smith, says performing songs from the band’s latest album, Songs Of A Lost World, has been a cathartic way to cope with personal loss. Speaking recently, Smith shared how live performances allowed him to confront grief over the deaths of close family members. "You feel a connection," he says, describing the experience as “hugely cathartic” and a means to escape the “doom and gloom” that he’s been carrying.

Smith's journey with Songs Of A Lost World began after the band’s 40th anniversary shows, though the album’s release was delayed by the complexities of writing lyrics that resonated deeply with him. "As I’ve grown older, writing words I truly want to sing has become so much harder," he admits. His wife, Mary, encouraged him to balance the album’s darkness with lighter moments, noting, “Your best albums are the ones with some upbeat tracks.” Her guidance helped shape the album’s final tracklist, balancing sorrow with touches of resilience and optimism.

Songs of Grief and Memory

Reflecting on personal loss, including the death of his brother, Richard, Smith channels his grief into songs like I Can Never Say Goodbye, a poignant expression of regret and mourning. When performed on stage, the song often left Smith visibly emotional, yet over time, he found strength in facing the music “night after night.” He describes it as “a wonderful moment” of healing.

Smith explains that Songs Of A Lost World holds a unique, introspective place in The Cure’s discography, with real-life experiences informing the album’s tone. “When you’re young, you romanticize death without really knowing it. Then it starts happening to those around you, and it’s a different thing altogether,” he said. This newfound awareness of mortality, he admits, colors the album with a sense of fragility.

A Sound Both Familiar and New

Songs Of A Lost World has drawn comparisons to The Cure’s earlier works, notably Pornography (1982) and Disintegration (1989), which also explored dark themes with haunting soundscapes. However, the new album has a more concise runtime, featuring only eight tracks that critics have praised for their intensity. The Telegraph awarded it five stars, calling it “perversely uplifting in its nihilism,” while The Guardian highlighted the depth of its introspective journey, noting Smith’s complex reflections on identity.

Fans also embraced the darker new material during The Cure’s Radio 2 In Concert performance, where the closing track, Endsong, stood out as a centerpiece. Building slowly around a thudding drumbeat, Endsong reaches a crescendo of swirling guitars and powerful bass, reminiscent of tracks like Cut from Wish (1992). Smith sings about looking back on his life, wondering what happened to his younger self, blending melancholy with brutal honesty.

A Band Still Going Strong

Throughout the set, Smith and The Cure delivered fan favorites like Lullaby, Friday I’m In Love, and Close To Me, in addition to their new songs, giving fans a mix of nostalgia and fresh energy. The band featuring long-time bassist Simon Gallup, guitarists Reeves Gabrels and Perry Bamonte, drummer Jason Cooper, and keyboardist Roger O’Donnell appeared in high spirits. Smith even playfully danced during the encore, embracing the joy that live music brings, even amidst heavier themes.

Reflecting on The Cure’s legacy, Smith hinted at the possibility of winding down by the band’s 50th anniversary in 2028, though he joked that he would be “really happy” just to see Christmas. He also shared that Songs Of A Lost World is one of three nearly completed albums following a highly productive 2019 recording session. With the second album “almost there,” Smith feels there is still more to create before looking too far ahead.

Radio 2 In Concert Setlist

Alone
Pictures Of You
A Fragile Thing
High
A Night Like This
Lovesong
The Walk
Inbetween Days
Just Like Heaven
From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea
Endsong
Encore
Lullaby
Friday I’m In Love
Close To Me
Why Can’t I Be You?

Songs Of A Lost World stands as a testament to The Cure’s enduring appeal, blending haunting melodies with raw vulnerability. Time may be catching up to Smith, but he and The Cure aren’t ready to stop exploring music’s depths anytime soon.