The Twilight Sad Team Up with Robert Smith for First New Song in Seven Years

Scottish band "The Twilight Sad" have broken their silence with a new single titled “Waiting for the Phone Call,” marking their first release in seven years. The track features the distinctive guitar of Robert Smith of The Cure, making it not only a significant comeback for the duo but also a noteworthy collaboration in the realm of alternative rock.

The band, now consisting of vocalist James Graham and multi-instrumentalist Andy MacFarlane, first emerged in Kilsyth, Scotland in 2003 and built a reputation for dense walls of sound, intimate lyrics, and an uncompromising emotional intensity. Their fifth studio album, "It Won’t Be Like This All the Time", arrived in January 2019, reaching number one on the Scottish Albums Chart and number 17 on the UK Albums Chart.

Waiting for the Phone Call (Image source: Instagram)

The long hiatus between releases has been the subject of speculation. “Waiting for the Phone Call” arrives on the label Rock Action, the same imprint through which the band’s 2019 album was released. For the new track they also enlisted live members Alex Mackay (of Mogwai) and David Jeans, joining Graham and MacFarlane, while Robert Smith contributes guitar parts.

Musically, the single opens with an electro-tinged synth pattern before giving way to Smith’s signature guitar washes layered atop Graham’s urgent vocals. Early reviews characterize the sound as both expansive and emotionally raw—an indication that the band have not lost the muscular intimacy that first drew in their listening base. Lyrically, the song explores themes of grief, love, and mental illness—not only general themes but ones rooted in a deeply personal loss experienced by Graham.

The involvement of Robert Smith adds a further dimension to the significance of the release. The Cure frontman has long held "The Twilight Sad" in high regard, and his participation signals both mutual respect and a passing of influence between generations of post-punk and alternative rock. It is a collaboration that raises anticipation for what the Scottish band may roll out next.

From an industry perspective, the single serves multiple strategic functions. For "The Twilight Sad", it provides a re-entry point after a prolonged absence—re-establishing their presence in the crowded indie and alternative space and reconnecting with their core fan base while potentially drawing in new listeners through the Smith association. For Smith and The Cure-connected audiences, it introduces The Twilight Sad’s more recent evolution to a wider spectrum of listeners.

The partnership also underscores the enduring vitality of Scottish alternative rock. The Twilight Sad cut their teeth alongside the likes of Mogwai, Frightened Rabbit, and others, and the resurgence of this sound, especially when tied to someone of Smith’s stature, suggests that the aesthetic still holds currency and relevance in 2025.

Given that the single is not attached yet to a full album announcement, it remains to be seen whether this marks the first step toward a larger project or is a standalone statement. However, the choice of label, the collaborators, and the thematic depth all point toward something more substantial than a one-off gesture.

In summary, “Waiting for the Phone Call” offers both a reaffirmation of The Twilight Sad’s musical identity and a new chapter in their career—anchored by one of the most influential guitarists in post-punk history. It is a comeback that balances respect for the past with a clear investment in the present.