Extremely Rare Acetate of the Cure's Mixes of a Lost World Drops in Miami

Music lovers in Miami have a rare chance to experience something truly special thanks to legendary UK band the Cure. In a bold, analog-first release, the band has pressed snippets from their forthcoming Mixes of a Lost World album onto acetate and distributed it to 24 independent record stores around the globe. Sweat Records, one of Miami's most beloved hubs for music on vinyl, is one of the select few to receive a copy.

In November, the Cure released Songs of a Lost World, its first studio album since 2008's 4:13 Dream, to great acclaim. Late last month, the band let it be known that an extensive remix of 24 songs, each the work of a different artist, was in the works and due out June 13 (a Friday, naturally). Contributors include Paul Oakenfold, Mura Masa, Chino Moreno, and Mogwai.

And then came this statement on the Cure's website: "Audio fragments from Mixes of a Lost World have been pressed to vinyl acetate. A number of independent record stores worldwide — nominated by the remix artists — have received a copy. Anyone can visit the stores and listen. The acetates will decay more and more with each play. Thank you to independent record stores everywhere and always."

As the statement notes, acetates degrade slightly with each play, meaning they're rare and temporary.

Now through May 26, you can visit Sweat Records and request to hear the record spun live in-store. At the end of the promotion, per the band's request, it will be off for charity, with the proceeds going to War Child, a UK-based charity.

"As longtime fans of the Cure, this is a huge honor," Sweat Records owner Lolo Reskin tells New Times. "We were nominated by the legendary Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy — renowned DJ and founder of Classic Album Sundays, the audiophile listening series we've proudly hosted in Miami with Soundlux Audio since 2016. Her track is "And Nothing Is Forever (Cosmodelica Electric Eden Remix)," named for her new project with Joe Goddard of Hot Chip and Al Doyle of Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem. It's a killer mix and a very cool full-circle moment!
"The Cure's team specifically requested that the acetate be auctioned to benefit War Child, a nonprofit supporting children affected by conflict," Reskin adds. "Between this and the band's efforts to secure fair ticket prices for fans, it's inspiring to see how much they still care when they could easily just tour and cash in. Their integrity continues to set them apart."

Indeed, in an era dominated by digital convenience, the Cure is creating a celebration of the analog and the ephemeral. For Miamians, it's also a unique opportunity to hear unreleased Cure remixes before anyone else and to support a record store that's been keeping the spirit of music discovery alive for years.

When the official release of Mixes of a Lost World drops in June, Sweat will carry the 180g two-LP edition on eco-friendly BioVinyl.

Mixes of a Lost World remix. Available for a listen through Monday, May 26, at Sweat Records, 5505 NE Second Ave., Miami; 786-693-9309; sweatrecordsmiami.com. For more about the project, head to Sweat or visit thecure.com/moalw.