Having dominated the music scene during the ‘80s, Tears for Fears are now experiencing a remarkable creative phase this decade.

In 2022, the iconic duo launched their first new album in 17 years, “The Tipping Point.” The album received praise for its heartfelt lyrics about loss and grief, paired with lush musical arrangements. Their successful tour reaffirmed their reputation as a live powerhouse, featuring a mix of classic hits like “Sowing the Seeds of Love,” “Mad World,” “Head Over Heels,” and enduring favorites like “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”

Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal, who have been friends since their childhood in Bath, England, are now 63 years old and are building on this success with three shows in Las Vegas (October 30, November 1-2), their inaugural live album “Songs for a Nervous Planet,” set for release on October 25, and an accompanying concert film.

“Tears for Fears Live (A Tipping Point Film)” was shot at the beautiful FirstBank Amphitheater at Graystone Quarry near Nashville last year, with Smith noting that the venue “just looked amazing,” and it will be shown in theaters around the world on October 24 and 26.

The thoughtful duo connected via video chat to discuss how they replicate their music live, the divisive nature of social media, and the “positive feel” of the four new tracks on “Nervous Planet.”

Question: “The Tipping Point” sparked a resurgence with the live album, movie, and Las Vegas shows. How has this success impacted your partnership?

Curt Smith: Prior to “The Tipping Point,” we were a bit uncertain. Ironically, losing our management and not having anyone handle us until the album was finished worked out great for us. We felt proud of the record we created. We can be quite picky, but we have the ability to produce quality music. This experience really brought us together, reminding us that we truly understand each other best.

You’ve mentioned that many people may not realize how good you are as a live act. I saw your concert in Philadelphia in 2022, and it remains one of my all-time favorites.

Roland Orzabal: We hope this concert film will change perceptions. We’ve been performing for a long time, often just for enjoyment and not in the spotlight. I would travel from England to LA to say to Curt and the guys, let’s play some shows even if they were just at wineries or casinos for fun. Once we produced “The Tipping Point,” we were eager to integrate those songs into our set as they stood strong alongside our older material.

Many of your songs feature rich musical textures. How challenging is it to recreate that sound live?

Smith: We’re fortunate to have an incredible drummer (Jamie Wollam) who can handle various musical styles. In the past, it was more difficult to reproduce these sounds live because the musicians weren’t as skilled as they are now, and let’s be honest, we weren’t as experienced either!

Is the live album’s title meant to be a political, climate, or general expression of unease?

Orzabal: The title comes from a book by Matt Haig called “Notes on a Nervous Planet.” It emphasizes that it’s not just about the negative news we receive. We are aware of the wars and issues, but it’s more about how we receive that information and the feelings it evokes. He highlights how social media can lead to divisive interactions, contrasting with how we used to get news from supposedly neutral sources like the BBC. Nowadays, news tends to come from social media, which is often polarizing in nature.

Smith: The way it’s structured with algorithms doesn’t provide different perspectives, which has effectively created divisions and increased clicks. Traditional media is following a similar path. Ultimately, it comes down to profit and click rates.

“Songs for a Nervous Planet” features four new tracks. One of these, “Say Goodbye to Mum and Dad,” draws from the COVID-19 lockdowns. Although it addresses a heavy topic, the song has a lively feel. How do you typically manage to pair somber lyrics with such rich melodies?

Orzabal: This is something we’ve always done, and I can’t quite explain why. For instance, “Mad World” combines a lovely rhythmic backdrop with eccentric synthesizers, but the essence of the song is captured well in Gary Jules’s rendition. With “Say Goodbye …,” we recognized it was a serious theme; we could have made the lyrics darker but chose to pull back. That catchy whistling element, followed by the opening line (“Say goodbye to Mum and Dad … go tell all your friends society’s gone mad”), tends to trigger a different thought process in the listener.

Smith: To quote a renowned poet, “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.”

Orzabal: By pairing heavier lyrics with a more upbeat musical backdrop, the result is more enjoyable. I think it reflects our personalities better because we aren’t really dark or gloomy individuals.

Roland, last time we spoke before the tour launched in 2022, you shared concerns about performing “Rivers of Mercy” live due to its emotional depth. How did that go during the tour?

Orzabal: It was always a deeply emotional experience. At times, it was incredibly significant, which likely contributed to the emotional intensity. By the time we reached the second leg in 2023, when we performed that song, many audience members raised their phones like thousands of candles. It turned into a standout moment in the set, right after “My Demons.”

You have some upcoming performances in Las Vegas. Do you like spending time there?

Orzabal: It has transformed significantly. The last time I was there, I was surprised to find that my hotel didn’t have a casino but offered excellent dining options. Since the Sphere and hosting a Super Bowl, people’s perceptions of Vegas have shifted; it’s seen less as a place for decline and more as a stage for new opportunities.

“The Tipping Point” marked your first new album in 17 years. Is there another album on the horizon?

Orzabal: The process of creating these four songs was enjoyable because there was no pressure. An entire album feels like a major commitment. But do we have ideas for more music? Without a doubt, yes!

Smith: These four tracks seem like a brief glimpse into a moment in time. “The Tipping Point” stemmed from a lot of struggles, while these new songs exude a more uplifting vibe, almost like a mini affirmation that we’ve triumphed.