The Cure - Songs of a Lost World (2024)

I'm two years late for reviewing this one, even if The Cure is likely the band I listened to the most in my life (daily when I was a teen), no, not even if but because! And never easy to review a band nearly 50 years old and which had such a big impact in music. But what helps is that Songs of a Lost World is an excellent album. Not as good as their old classics, but might be their best one since... Wild Moods Swings? the overall atmosphre reminds me a bit Disintegration, not as good, but nice anyway, and it's not just a recall of what they have done before, The Cure have always tried to push the boundaries of their music and try different things, and Songs of a Lost World isn't an exception in that regard. Especially in Warsong, Drone:no Drone and Ensong. Probably the most interesting tracks. But if your more into their "easier" pop side, they also delivered the nice signle A Fragile Thing. So Songs of a Lost World isn't as memorable and won't have the lasting ifnluence of their classics, but it's definitely a good album and I think it proves that The Cure is still absolutely relevant today.

 

The Cure.com

 

Kandarivas - Rhythms of Obliteration (2026)

Kandarivas is an awesome grind band from Japan, they have been around for more than ten years now, but I only discovered them with their split with Durian released two years ago by Nerve Altar Records. So Rhythms of Obliteration is the first Kandarivas album I listen to. And it makes me regret not having discovered them earlier! The somewhat "tribal" feel of the japanese kaito drums they use is really something different and fresh to their grindcore, otherwise rooted into the old school. But the greatness of the album is definitely not limited to this "exotic" element, it's a nice touch, but what is more important is that the songs are powerfull! Rhythms of Obliteration is a strong candidate for best grind album of the year, don't sleep on it!

 

The BC page.

 

Dälek - Brilliance of a Falling Moon (2026)

More Dälek can't be bad. I love their old-school, smart, heavy, dark and combative hip-hop. But I'm still being a bit disappointed by Brilliance of a Falling Moon. It's a good album, but won't be remembered as among their most inspired ones, sounding a bit too much more of the same. I feel they played it safe on this one. Their recent collab with Charles Hayward was more interesting and better. I hope they will challenge themselves more for their next one. That being said, a less memorable Dälek album is still better by far than almost any other hip-hop album.

 

The BC page.