As The Cure prepares to release their highly anticipated 14th studio album Songs of a Lost World on November 1, frontman Robert Smith has offered fans a glimpse into the mood and tone of the upcoming record. In a 100-minute interview with BBC 6Music’s Matt Everitt, recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, Smith delved into the band’s past, present, and future while revealing a playlist of one song from each of the band’s previous 13 albums that mirrors the atmosphere of Songs of a Lost World.
A Playlist That Echoes the New Album
Rather than picking his 10 favorite Cure songs as originally requested, Smith handpicked a track from each album that resonates with the tone of their new work. Here’s Smith’s “cure-rated” playlist, with reflections on each song:
“Three Imaginary Boys” (from Three Imaginary Boys, 1979)
Smith still feels connected to this early track, saying, “It’s a song I’d be happy with now. It still resonates with me.”
“At Night” (from Seventeen Seconds, 1980)
“We play that a lot live. It has the same kind of mood as this album; it would fit quite happily on Songs of a Lost World.”
“Faith” (from Faith, 1981)
One of Smith’s proudest achievements: “When I wrote that, I can remember thinking, ‘Ah, I can write songs!’ It was the first song I was really, really proud of.”
“Cold” (from Pornography, 1982)
“Mood-wise and musically, that would fit on this album.”
“The Top” (from The Top, 1984)
A bizarre but fitting selection: “That’s a weird song, with a strange sort of mood.”
“Sinking” (from The Head on the Door, 1985)
“A bit of doom and gloom… but the whole album’s a bit more bright and breezy than this new one.”
“If Only Tonight We Could Sleep” (from Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, 1987)
“There’s a lovely kind of mood to it when it’s played well.”
“Untitled” (from Disintegration, 1989)
One of Smith’s personal favorites: “I like that I didn’t title it… I had the courage to not bother thinking of a title.”
“To Wish Impossible Things” (from Wish, 1992)
“One of my favorite Cure songs. We never play that, I don’t know why, but it would fit unhappily on this album.”
“Treasure” (from Wild Mood Swings, 1996)
“That’s about loss. It was inspired by a Christina Rossetti poem.”
“The Last Day of Summer” (from Bloodflowers, 2000)
“That’s become a favorite. I was never quite sure about it as a song, but I think it is a good song.”
“Before Three” (from The Cure, 2004)
Reflecting on his least favorite Cure album, Smith said, “Before Three is a good song, that would probably work [on this album].”
“The Hungry Ghost” (from 4:13 Dream, 2008)
Though he doesn’t think it would fit on Songs of a Lost World, Smith still appreciates the song’s meaning: “It’s about how people are consumed by wanting more and more, including me.”
A Journey Through The Cure’s Sound
This playlist, chosen by Smith, offers a fascinating glimpse into the darker and more introspective side of The Cure’s catalog, reflecting the themes and tone fans can expect from Songs of a Lost World. While Smith remained tight-lipped about specific details of the new record, his song choices suggest it will evoke the band’s signature blend of melancholic beauty and raw emotion.
Songs of a Lost World will be released on November 1, followed by a second part on December 25, 2025, continuing The Cure’s legacy of crafting unforgettable music.
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