The Cure – Japanese Whispers: The Cure Singles Nov 82 : Nov 83

The Cure – Japanese Whispers: The Cure Singles Nov 82 – Nov 83

Released in 1983, Japanese Whispers is a hugely important collection from The Cure, bringing together the singles and B-sides recorded during one of the most fascinating transitional periods in the band's career. Rather than a conventional studio album, the release gathers material issued between late 1982 and late 1983, capturing Robert Smith and The Cure moving away from their darker post-punk beginnings towards the more melodic, playful, and increasingly pop-oriented sound that would define their later work.

The collection opens with "Let's Go To Bed," a striking departure from the band's earlier gloomier material. Its playful synths, electronic percussion, and catchy vocal melody introduced a lighter side of The Cure, while "The Dream" and "Just One Kiss" retain the atmospheric intensity that had become central to the band's identity.

Side A continues with "The Upstairs Room," a beautifully hazy and hypnotic track that hints at the psychedelic and dream-pop qualities The Cure would explore further. Side B begins with the instantly recognisable instrumental "The Walk," driven by electronic rhythms and quirky synth textures, followed by "Speak My Language" and the darker "Lament."

The collection closes with one of The Cure's most beloved songs, "The Love Cats." Its swinging rhythm, upright piano, playful bassline, and unusually light-hearted mood helped make it a major international hit and demonstrated just how far The Cure had travelled from their early post-punk sound.

Japanese Whispers is an essential snapshot of The Cure at a pivotal moment, bridging the dark atmosphere of their early work with the accessible, melodic songwriting that would soon produce albums such as The Top, The Head On The Door, and Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. Perfect for fans of Siouxsie And The Banshees, Joy Division, New Order, Echo & The Bunnymen, Bauhaus, and early alternative rock, this is an essential addition to any Cure or 1980s post-punk vinyl collection.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Let's Go To Bed
2. The Dream
3. Just One Kiss
4. The Upstairs Room

Side B

1. The Walk
2. Speak My Language
3. Lament
4. The Love Cats