The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins applauds The Cure’s new era despite past criticism

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As a lifelong rock enthusiast with a heart full of nostalgia, I can’t help but feel like I’ve stumbled upon a parallel universe where time has no meaning and music is the only constant. The anticipation for new albums from legends like The Cure and The Darkness is as exhilarating as it was back in my formative years, spent hunched over a cassette player with headphones on, absorbing every note.

Justin Hawkins, lead vocalist of the rock band The Darkness, has recently expressed his appreciation for The Cure’s latest work, despite the fact that Robert Smith, the renowned frontman of The Cure, had previously voiced his dislike for The Darkness. Notably, The Cure, a trailblazing gothic band, is preparing to launch their first album in 16 years, titled “Songs of a Lost World“, since the release of “4:13 Dream” in 2008. The band has already given their fans a taste of what’s to come with two singles, “Alone” and “A Fragile Thing”, which were first performed live in 2022.

The complete album will be made available on November 1st. On October 6th, The Cure gave a sneak peek of “A Fragile Thing” through their fan WhatsApp group, and the following day, they shared another snippet on social media platforms. This fresh track, along with “Alone,” has been frequently played during their live shows, generating anticipation for the album’s release.

Hawkins acknowledged his gratitude towards the fresh content, even though Robert Smith had criticized The Darkness back in 2004. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Smith expressed his dislike for The Darkness, labeling them as a “comedy band” and suggesting that their music imitated Queen, another group he found unappealing (though it’s intriguing to consider if he acknowledges the authenticity of Queen beyond being just a comedy act). This criticism hit Hawkins on a personal level, as he shared in his YouTube video.

At a previous awards event, Hawkins admitted to teasing Smith, possibly due to his frustration with the latter’s comments. Nevertheless, Smith’s views do not affect Hawkins’ admiration for him. Hawkins openly stated that Robert Smith is one of his most respected musicians, and he acknowledged the impact The Cure has had on his own performance and singing methods, particularly Smith’s unique vocal style. In analyzing The Cure’s song “Alone,” Hawkins commended its depth, highlighting the newfound richness in Smith’s voice that resembled Jeff Buckley’s. He also noted that Smith wasn’t just focusing on emotional expression but was also displaying impressive technical vocal skills.

Why the long wait for a new Cure album?

In recent conversations, Robert Smith has openly discussed the sources of inspiration for Songs of a Lost World. He revealed that many aspects of the album are influenced by his own personal sorrow, primarily the passing of his mother, father, and brother. This accounts for the album’s somber, melancholic feel. Smith has been forthright about the burden of these events, labeling the new songs as “unyielding despair” or “constant doom and gloom.

Moreover, he disclosed that The Cure is simultaneously producing another lively album together with “Songs of a Lost World”. The return of The Cure with this new album carries great significance, as fans have been anxiously anticipating fresh tunes since their 2019 Glastonbury performance, where they hinted at the upcoming record. However, Smith clarified that the extended production period is due to the album occasionally taking a backseat in his life throughout the years.

He confessed that he regrets his past statements about the release timeline of the album titled “Songs of a Lost World ” in 2019. Before this album is released, The Cure will put on two exclusive shows for the BBC, and tickets can be obtained through a lottery system. Additionally, the band has been hinting at another track, titled “Endsong.

At the same time, The Darkness (the music group) is generating buzz too. They’ve unveiled a new album titled “Dreams On Toast” and released a lead single called “The Longest Kiss.” Moreover, they plan to tour across the UK to promote their latest creation, maintaining their tradition of dramatic glam rock shows and extravagant stage performances.

Regardless of any friction between Hawkins and Smith, it’s evident that each has been instrumental in shaping the rock genre with their respective bands, The Cure and The Darkness. While Robert Smith’s compositions with The Cure often explore introspective realms, Hawkins and The Darkness infuse their latest work with a unique mix of humor and energetic rock beats.

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2024-10-09 15:01