Rejoice! The Cure have dropped new material. The single “Alone” is taken from their forthcoming album Songs Of A Lost World. Released on Fiction Records, which operates as part of the Universal Music Group, it’s hardly independent. Nonetheless, it’s their first single in 16 years, and that’s something to celebrate!
The first thing that struck me was that “Alone” is 6 minutes and 48 seconds long. In a time of dwindling attention spans, this is a bold choice. We no longer sit down to read newspapers; we scroll through clickbait headlines. Those epic long films at the cinema? Nah, many will settle for short Instagram Reels. Even marriage seems a long haul- why not just swipe right on a dating app? And music? Well, instead of savouring an entire album on vinyl, we’re often content with snippets on TikTok.
But that’s what makes “Alone” so refreshing. The Cure have resisted modern trends and embraced their true self. According to NYU, many listeners decide whether they like a song in just five seconds or less. This rush to judgement has made us miss out on rich musical experiences. Think back to those epic songs of the 70s that would break the 10-minute mark. The Cure carries their legacy while reminding us of a time when music wasn’t about instant gratification.
The sheer length of ‘Alone’ offers warm familiarity, taking us back to simpler times. Times when we could unplug from the world and enjoy a vinyl without reaching for our phones any given minute. The intro, a full 3 minutes 27 before the vocals, is an aimless, meditative wander through shoegaze bliss. Moody, melancholic and begging you to kick back, close your eyes and lose yourself. Sporadic piano rolls add a cherry on top to the dreamlike soundscape.
In a world dominated by the skip button, resisting the urge brings rewards… Robert Smith’s iconic voice.
“This is the end
Of every song that we sing
The fire burned out to ash
And the stars
Grown dim with tears.”
His haunting vocals echo with the familiar timbres that have soundtracked many moments in life.
“Where did it go?
Where did it go?
Broken voiced lament
To call us home
This is the end
Of every song we sing
Alone”
“Alone” is The Cure at their darkest. Not the uplifting vibes of the anthem ‘”Friday I’m In Love” but deeper and more introspective. As modern music scales back, “Alone” is a beautiful juxtaposition reminding us all to take time to reflect and feel.Some things are worth taking time for. Close your Google Calendar, get out your Filofax. Mark November 1st in your diary, because if “Alone” is anything to go by, Songs Of A Lost World will be worth 16 years of waiting. Listen to “Alone” on YouTube below:
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