Robert Smith Confirms The Cure Are in the Studio Working on New Album

Robert Smith of The Cure in Brazil in March 1987. © Michael Putland

Robert Smith has confirmed that iconic Goth band The Cure are recording what will be their first new album in 10 years. Talking with The Guardian in June 2018 Smith said the band were inspired to get back into the studio and start work on some new work.

The inspiration came after Smith curated last year’s Meltdown Festival. The festival saw The Deftones, The Libertines, Manic Street Preachers, Mogwai, My Bloody Valentine, Nine Inch Nails, Placebo, The Psychedelic Furs and more play at London’s Southbank.

The Cure’s new album, their 14th, comes after the band have been celebrating 40 years since they released their first single and played their first gigs. It saw them play Hyde Park last year and is also taking them around the world to play numerous festivals and live shows. The band are currently in Cape Town, South Africa where they’ll be headlining the 2019 Rock on the Lawns festival.

The Cure released their debut album 'Three Imaginary Boys' in May 1979. The band's second single, "Boys Don't Cry", was released in June of that year. This photo was taken in London in 1979. © Jill Furmanovsky

And while there Smith was on an radio show called CapeTalk chatting with host John Maytham. In the interview, along with revealing that his first ever live show as a music fan was seeing Jimi Hendrix at the Isle of Wight festival when he was 11, he also spoke about the new album and looked back at The Cure's long career.

“It doesn't really feel like I've been doing it for that long.” Smith noted about the 40 year mark. “But we did a show last summer in Hyde Park in London to celebrate the 40th anniversary of our first show as The Cure and this year it’s more about, I suppose, the recording career started 40 years ago this year.” He then continued. “We've enjoyed it and we've just recorded a new album for the first time in 10 years.” Before noting that they’re performing and recording “for the right reasons” and he gets "satisfaction from doing it and other people are enjoying it.” He then said that the album will “cover different styles of music, but because it's us doing it, it sounds like us.”

Jimi Hendrix on stage at the Isle of Wight festival in 1970. © Stefan Wallgren

But, before fans get too excited about a new The Cure album coming out soon, Smith later clarified his comments on another South African radio show 5FM. On this show he said the band, “just started, haven’t quite finished recording our first new album for 10 years.”

Regardless, if you’re a fan of The Cure then 2018 was and 2019 is exciting times. Because the band were recently announced as headliners for Glastonbury 2019 which hopefully will be one for the ages, considering the bands current great form for their live shows. Although, Smith has previously noted the band haven’t had the best history with the festival (they headlined in 1986, 1990 and 1995), noting, “We haven’t had a happy history with Glastonbury over the years. Although we’ve headlined three times, we’ve never been on the best of terms. I don’t know if they forgive and forget.” Hey, it's Glastonbury, so people likely can't remember that well.

The Cure are also performing their classic album Disintegration in full for four nights at the Sydney Opera House to celebrate the album's 30th anniversary. Along with that they’re being indicted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this month on 29 March. They will be introduced by Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails. Also due to be indicted is Radiohead, who will be introduced by David Byrne from Talking Heads.

You can keep up-to-date with news about The Cure and find out their live show dates at their website.

The Cure on the road in Holland and Belgium during their 1980 'Seventeen Seconds' tour. © Jill Furmanovsky

Rockarchive is delighted to be able to offer The Cure images as limited edition photographic prints which you can buy here.