English rock band The Cure has delighted fans with the release of their first new song in 16 years, titled 'Alone.' The track premiered on Mary Anne Hobbs’ BBC 6 Music radio show, giving listeners a taste of the band's signature sound that includes layered guitars, metallic percussion, and sparkling synths. The song features gloomy lyrics sung by frontman Robert Smith, setting the tone for what's to come.
Accompanying the new single is the announcement of The Cure's upcoming album, 'Songs of A Lost World,' set to be released on November 1. According to Smith, 'Alone' was the track that unlocked the entire record, providing the band with a clear direction for the album's theme and sound.
In a press release, Smith revealed that the inspiration for the song's opening line came from the poem 'Dregs' by English poet Ernest Dowson. This connection helped solidify the song's place as the album's opening track, bringing the project into focus for the band.
Despite touring extensively since their last album, 2008's '4:13 Dream,' The Cure had not released new music until now. In 2019, the band had recorded a significant number of tracks, with plans to release an album that year. However, those plans were delayed until now, much to the excitement of fans.
The Cure's return to the music scene coincides with a wave of band reunions in 2024, including iconic groups like Oasis and Linkin Park. The latter, now featuring Dead Sara's Emily Armstrong as their new singer, will be performing for the first time since the passing of lead singer Chester Bennington in 2017.