The Cure’s new album Songs From a Lost World will underline your feelings for them, whether you’re a lover or a hater. If you’re in the former camp it’s worth the sixteen-year wait, if you’re in the latter it will simply confirm that Robert Smith is a miserable old bastard.

At its core are Smith’s reflections on mortality and lost opportunities, both with those close to him and, more widely, whether almost fifty years into his personal and professional life he’s ended up being where and what he wants to be.

Sentiment attaches itself to everything. It’s just how fucked up we human beings are. And there are few more sentimental pastimes than following a football club, especially as the nature of that grows from casual acquaintance to something deeper.

⬢

To read the rest of this article, you need to join TSB+ — members get access to this plus extra podcast and video episodes, all podcasts advert-free, can read every issue of our magazine online and much more. You can join or log in below.