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A Single
Rock · 1982

A Single

The Cure

A pivotal 1982 single from The Cure, "A Single" (often called "The Hanging Garden") showcases their deepening gothic rock and post-punk sound. Driven by an ominous bassline and melancholic vocals, it'

July 12, 1982 · Mokum Records

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This single is a deep plunge into the early 80s gothic rock sound, a sonic landscape painted with shades of grey and midnight blue. Imagine a cold, damp night, the air thick with mystery and a hint of unease. The music is driven by an insistent, almost tribal rhythm section, with a bassline that coils around you, both hypnotic and slightly menacing. Robert Smith's vocals are a mournful, ethereal guide through a labyrinth of jangling, reverb-drenched guitars and atmospheric synth washes. It's music for introspection, for embracing the beautiful melancholy of solitude, and for those moments when you want to feel the weight of the world, but in the most artfully crafted way. This is essential early Cure, a masterclass in atmospheric tension and dark beauty.

Moments Worth Listening For
The relentless, almost tribal drum beat and prominent bassline that drives 'The Hanging Garden' from its opening moments.
The way Robert Smith's vocals weave through the dense, echoing guitar textures, creating a sense of urgent despair.
The sudden, atmospheric synth swells that punctuate the verses, adding to the track's eerie tension.
The overall hypnotic build-up and release of tension within the main track, characteristic of early Cure's atmospheric prowess.
Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does A Single sound next to the rest of The Cure's catalogue?

Baritone+0.9σ

The vocals lean a touch further into baritone than the rest of the catalogue.

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