The Cure’s Robert Smith: Breaking Silence on His Long-Awaited Album and Controversial Ticket Pricing

After a 16-year gap – the longest stretch between albums in The Cure’s illustrious career – Robert Smith has returned with “Songs of a Lost World.” This new album explores dark themes, embraces sonic richness, and showcases the enduring power of The Cure’s sound.

In an interview with NPR, Smith delves into the reasons behind the extended break, offering insights into his creative process, struggles with ticket pricing, and his unique perspective on music, legacy, and a life steeped in both darkness and light.

The Delay and the Dark Albums

When asked about the long-awaited album, Smith explains, “I think the mistake I made was I was trying to get 30 songs all finished together, so they all somehow hung together. And I realized at the start of this year that that really wasn’t going to happen. So I reduced it down to 20, and then I reduced it down 10, and then I finally emerged with eight that I thought worked together best. But I have left behind quite a few of my favorite songs, weirdly enough.”

More Than Just Tickets: A Fight for Artist Integrity

Smith’s ongoing battle with Ticketmaster became a defining moment for artists advocating for fair ticket prices. He fought for transparency and ultimately saw his concerns addressed. “The Ticketmaster thing was never really a war. It’s been misunderstood to some degree… I was expressing my frustration with a system that tries to monetize everything and ruins everything in the process.”