Robert Smith Joins The Twilight Sad on Their First New Release in 7 Years

If you’ve been waiting for The Twilight Sad to make their grand return, your patience has finally paid off. The Scottish indie rockers have unleashed “Waiting for the Phone Call,” their first single in years, and it comes with a pretty major flex—Robert Smith of The Cure lending his ethereal guitar chops to the track. When The Cure’s frontman shows up on your song, you’re doing something right. The Twilight Sad have been doing something right for nearly two decades now.

Robert Smith Has Been a Fan for Years

Here’s the thing about Robert Smith and The Twilight Sad: this isn’t some random collaboration cooked up by a label exec. Smith has been championing this band since 2016, calling them “the best band playing the best songs—consistently brilliant, emotional, intense, inspiring, entertaining.” That’s not just praise, that’s a full-on endorsement from one of alternative rock’s most respected voices.

The relationship between The Cure and The Twilight Sad runs deep. The Scottish band first opened for The Cure back in 2016, and they’ve since become something of a permanent fixture on The Cure’s tours. When The Cure hit the road in 2023 for their worldwide shows, The Twilight Sad were right there with them. And guess what? They’ll be joining The Cure again next summer for a series of European outdoor shows, including stops at Belsonic in Belfast, Marley Park in Dublin, and three concerts at the Wuhlheide in Berlin.

Smith even covered The Twilight Sad’s “There’s a Girl in the Corner” a decade ago. So yeah, this collaboration on “Waiting for the Phone Call” feels less like a surprise and more like a marvelous music inevitability.

What “Waiting for the Phone Call” Is Really About

If you’re expecting a breezy, upbeat track, prepare to be devastated. “Waiting for the Phone Call” is a gut-punch of a song. Vocalist James Graham doesn’t hold back in explaining what inspired it, and it’s both heart-wrenching and powerful.

“‘Waiting For The Phone Call’ is about grief, love, and mental illness,” Graham shared in a statement. “These things took over my life, and I became ill. I lost the person most important to me in one of the cruelest ways. I’ve always used writing as a method of processing and coping with my emotions.”

Graham goes on to explain how writing music with bandmate Andy MacFarlane has been both an escape and a way to process his emotions over the past seven years. “We’ve all been waiting on a phone call that can change our lives at some point,” he says. “This unfortunately focuses on a phone call that you never want to have.” Truly powerful stuff.

The Sound: Synth-Pop Melds with Guitar-Driven Catharsis

“Waiting for the Phone Call” starts off somewhat bouncy and deceptively upbeat. But don’t let that fool you. The song gradually builds up; it layers both tension and emotion until it explodes into guitar-driven catharsis. The track’s music mirrors the emotional rollercoaster that Graham writes in his lyrics.

Robert Smith’s guitar work is subtle but effective. He doesn’t dominate the track or overshadow the sound. His musical contributions are woven seamlessly into the melody of the song. Given Smith’s involvement, the tune carries The Cure’s signature emo-goth sweep, blending emotional rawness with sonic intensity.

What’s Next for The Twilight Sad?

After years of silence (at least in terms of new releases), The Twilight Sad aren’t just dropping a single and disappearing again. The band has confirmed a 2026 tour that kicks off in mainland Europe in April before heading to the UK and then Ireland. They’ll be hitting major venues like The Roundhouse in London, The Barrowlands in Glasgow, and the famed Button Factory in Dublin.

And as mentioned, they’ll be back on the road with The Cure next summer. The Cure’s 2026 itinerary is packed with festival headlining slots, including Primavera Sound, Rock En Seine, North Festival, Rock Werchter, Way Out West, Øya Festival, and Electric Castle. The Twilight Sad will be alongside them, proving once again that they’re one of Robert Smith’s favorite bands—and for good reason.

Why This Collaboration is Pure Perfection

Collaborations between established artists actually happen all the time. But this one is different. It’s not for the money or a desperate attempt to stay relevant. Robert Smith has been quite vocal about his admiration for The Twilight Sad for years, and The Twilight Sad have always delivered emotionally resonant, sonically rich music that can stand on its own.

“Waiting for the Phone Call” is proof that The Twilight Sad haven’t lost their edge during their seven-year hiatus. They’ve come back stronger with a track that’s deeply personal and beautifully crafted. It’s nearly impossible to shake it off once the music ends.

So if you’ve been sleeping on The Twilight Sad, now’s the time to wake up. This is a band that deserves your attention, and “Waiting for the Phone Call” is the perfect entry point. Just be prepared to feel something.