The Cure have released a new EP, ‘A Fragile Thing’, containing a live version of the single and a remix by Robert Smith. Listen below.
The original track appears on the band’s 14th studio album ‘Songs Of A Lost World’, which was released earlier this month and follows 2008’s ‘4:13 Dream’.
Today (November 29), Smith and co. shared a four-track collection featuring a performance of ‘A Fragile Thing’ from their mammoth album launch show at the Troxy in London on November 1.
The EP also features an official re-working by the frontman, called ‘A Fragile Thing – RS24 Remix’, as well as a shortened radio edit alongside the original version.
A FRAGILE THING EP – FEATURING ROBERT SMITH REMIXES OF THE ALBUM VERSION AND THE LIVE AT TROXY LONDON VERSION – IS AVAILABLE TO STREAM NOW AT https://t.co/HCXmQdRcK3 pic.twitter.com/0OTwGPUFNG
— The Cure (@thecure) November 29, 2024
“Thank you again to everyone for helping make the Troxy London night so special – in the room and around the world,” The Cure wrote to announce the release in a message to fans, referring to the global live-stream of the gig.
They went on to say that the live recording of ‘A Fragile Thing’ had been mixed by Smith himself.
The group signed off by teasing that there would be “more exciting Troxy news this Sunday” (December 1), hinting at a potential live album or concert film. Fans can still watch the full three-hour show on YouTube for a limited time – tune in here.
You can listen to The Cure’s new ‘A Fragile Thing’ EP above on Spotify, or via your preferred streaming platform here.
In October, Smith explained that ‘A Fragile Thing’ was about “how love is the most enduring of emotions”. He continued: “It’s the most powerful emotion, and it’s incredibly resilient. And yet at the same time, incredibly fragile.”
The Cure recently shared a deluxe edition of ‘Songs Of A Lost World’ ahead of the original record earning the band their first UK Number One album in 32 years. Their only other full-length project to hit the top spot is 1992’s ‘Wish’.
Reacting to the news, Smith said: “It is enormously uplifting, genuinely heartwarming to experience such a wonderful reaction to the release of the new Cure album.
“To everyone who has bought it, listened to it, loved it, believed in us over the years – THANK YOU!”
It was later revealed that ‘Songs Of A Lost World’ was the best-selling album in the US, based on physical sales.
The Cure played the album in its entirety at London’s Troxy. They also treated the audience to many fan favourites and greatest hits, and celebrated the 45th anniversary of their seminal second record, ‘Seventeen Seconds’.
The one-off gig in the capital was likely The Cure’s final live date before they head out on a headline tour next autumn. This comes after Smith revealed that the band have another new album that’s “virtually finished” – with a third new record on the way too. He is aiming to complete one of the LPs before hitting the road again in 2025.
In addition to the Troxy performance, The Cure recorded live sessions for BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.
READ MORE: The Cure: every album ranked in order of greatness
In a five-star review of ‘Songs Of A Lost World’, NME wrote: “Merciless? Yes, but there’s always enough heart in the darkness and opulence in the sound to hold you and place these songs alongside The Cure’s finest. The frontman suggested that another two records may be arriving at some point, but ‘Songs Of A Lost World’ feels sufficient enough for the wait we’ve endured, just for being arguably the most personal album of Smith’s career. Mortality may loom, but there’s colour in the black and flowers on the grave.”
Meanwhile, Robert Smith has raised £27,500 for Heart Research UK with artwork that was inspired by The Cure’s latest album.
In other news, Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher has shared his thoughts on The Cure on X/Twitter.
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