Famed frontman for The Cure Robert Smith has announced that the band has finished wrapping up their latest album, which will be their first full-length release in over a decade. While the album is currently untitled, and currently lacks a release date, Smith revealed this information on The John Maytham show in Cape Town, South Africa.
Smith dropped the reveal after being asked about the band’s recent slate of tours this year, which include stops at the Way Out West festival and the Nos Alive Festival. “We’ve enjoyed it(the tours and we’ve just recorded a new album for the first time in 10 years,” Smith explained during the interview.
Late last year Smith announced that the band would be returning to the studio to finish new material for another album. Their last release, 4:13 Dream was released back in 2008, and achieved moderate sales for a legacy act upon its release.
“Primarily because of the Meltdown thing, and seeing all these new bands, I listened to many bands and met so many of them, that it’s kind of inspired me to do something new,” Smith said in an interview with Sirius XM’s Debatable. “So, yes, we’re going in in about six weeks time to finish off what will be our first album for more more than a decade. So it’s very exciting times for us all around.”
The band’s other members are also excited about the upcoming material, and have discussed their joy about returning to the studio. With the exception of guitarist Reeves Gabrels, the majority of the band’s line-up have been with Smith since the early 80s or mid 90s.
“We listened to all of the demos, and Robert, I’m pretty sure, right now is busy writing lyrics,” Roger O’Donnel , the band’s keyboardist stated in an interview with WKYC TV. “So we’re all very excited. It’s been a long time since The Cure’s been in the studio.”
In addition to the aforementioned headlining sets, The Cure will also be headlining the annual Glastonbury Music Festival, alongside acts such as Stormzy and The Killers. Ironically, Smith hasn’t been the biggest fan of the music festival, despite the fact that the band has headlined the show on several occasions.
“Yeah, maybe. We haven’t had a happy history with Glastonbury over the years,” Smith explained on the same Sirius XM Debatable program. “Although we’ve headlined three times, we’ve never been on the best of terms. I don’t know if they forgive and forget. There are enough other festivals for us to play.”
It is currently unknown whether there will be a North American tour this year however, despite the numerous festival appearances. A new album may make those appearances more likely in the near future however.
In addition to the hype surrounding the album and associated tours, the band will also be inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame this year. They will be joining the likes of Radiohead, Roxy Music, Stevie Nicks and Janet Jackson during the ceremony.