Robert Smith updates fans on The Cure’s two upcoming albums

Virgin Radio

4 Mar 2022, 10:13

The Cure frontman has spoken about band’s highly-anticipated new records, and has revealed the title of one of them.

At the BandLab NME Awards 2022 on Wednesday (3rd March), Robert Smith spoke about both of the two upcoming Cure LPs, and also gave some details about his own solo record, which is also in the works.

Last year, Smith announced that The Cure were working on not one, but two albums, which will be the Crawley band’s first studio records since 2008. At the time, he said: “So we were doing two albums and one of them's very, very doom and gloom and the other one isn't.”

Now, he has provided an update on how it’s all going. Speaking to NME, he said: “So I’ve been working on two Cure albums, and one of them is finished.

“Unfortunately, it’s the second one that’s finished. [On the other] I’ve got to do four vocals, and there are 10 songs on each album. We’re mixing next month on April 1, so I’ve got three weeks left.”

The vocalist was able to provide the title for one of the records, saying: “I know what it’s called – it’s called ‘Songs Of The Lost World’. It’s got artwork, it’s got a running order, it’s almost done! They’re so slow because of vinyl, but it might come in September. I’d rather it just came out. I can’t stand the anticipation.”

It seems that the band’s original plan of having one record that is doom and gloom and one that is less so is coming to fruition. “Well the first Cure album is relentless doom and gloom.” Smith said: “It’s the doomiest thing that we’ve ever done. The second one is upbeat.” 

As well as the two Cure albums, fans can expect Smith’s solo record at some point as well. “I have to keep revisiting it. It’s a thing I’ve wanted to do for so many years. I realise I’ve only got one shot at doing it, so I’ve now started to add real instruments and acoustic instruments, whereas this time two years ago it was literally just feedback," he said.

He admitted however: “I’ve kind of grown a bit disenchanted with it. I’d listened to it like three times and I think it’s rubbish!”

The Cure will be touring later this year, and while Smith was asked about this by NME, he was keeping his cards close to his chest about what fans can expect.

Meanwhile, Robert Smith collected the Best Song by a UK Artist along with Scottish synth-pop trio Chvrches for their collaboration How Not To Drown. They also performed a live version of The Cure’’s 1987 classic, Just Like Heaven.

You can read all about the winner at the BandLab NME Awards 2022 here.