| Aghori Mhori Mei | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | the Smashing Pumpkins |
| Cover: | Aghori Mhori Mei.webp |
| Recorded: | 2022–2024 |
| Length: | 44:41 |
| Genre: |
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| Label: |
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| Producer: | Billy Corgan |
| Year: | 2024 |
| Prev Year: | 2023 |
Aghori Mhori Mei is the thirteenth studio album by American rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. The album was released digitally on August 2, 2024, through Martha's Music and Thirty Tigers.[1] [2] Physical versions of the album are set to be released on November 22, 2024.[3]
The album was written and recorded over a two-year period and is billed as a "rock and roll guitar record". Written and produced by Billy Corgan the album is a progressive rock, alternative rock, heavy metal and pop record. The composition is largely driven by a mix of guitar, bass and drums with some mid-tempo tracks utilizing synthesizer and orchestral arrangements. The album had no singles prior to release. "Sighommi" was released as the first single from the album on August 2, 2024.[4]
Upon the albums release, critical and fan reception was generally positive. Many reviewers praised the album and the band for returning to familiar territory, incorporating a heavier sound reminiscent of their earlier work. Some critics found issue with the production and mixing of the album, particularly around the vocal performance and mix.
In December 2022, Drummer Jimmy Chamberlin posted through his official Instagram account that the band were "back in the studio".[5] In May 2023, Billy Corgan announced that the band had already began work on a follow-up album to triple album (2022–2023). The band initially recorded 20 songs for the album with Corgan wanting to put out a record with "somewhere in the neighbourhood of 10 to 12 songs". Corgan described the album a "straight up rock and roll guitar record" and stated that "it very much sounds like the Siamese Dream / Mellon Collie version of the band.[6]
In June 2024, Corgan gave an update on the band having worked on the album for "almost two years now". He described the pressure of recording new material to deadlines, stating that "It's not healthy, but I've gotten used to it through the years". He reiterated that "It's very much a rock, guitar record, old school" and that "old-school fans will be happy, for once".[7]
In an interview with Audacy in August 2024, Corgan described how the band wanted to get into the "mindset" of recording songs in the spirit of Siamese Dream but not replicating the exact sound. Explaining that "you go back to the old school but with a new version of yourself", he further elaborated on using the old processes; "You just move on into other pastures, good and bad. You take your lumps as you go". The album was produced with the help of long-time band collaborator Howard Willing.[8]
The standard edition of the album consists of 10 songs, all written and produced by Billy Corgan with production assistance from Howard Willing. The album has elements of progressive rock, alternative rock, heavy metal and pop. The albums sound was influenced by heavy metal bands such as Black Sabbath and Dio, with several tracks taking on the characteristics of heavy metal and progressive rock.[9] Some of the tracks such as "Goeth the Fall" take on a mid tempo ballad styling, with "Who Goes There" leaning into a more "bittersweet pop" presentation.
The albums lyrical themes touch on the concepts of religion,[9] music history,[9] travel, and relationships.
The meaning of the album title was debated in several publications, with some attempting to decipher the meaning. Classic Rock attempted to use ChatGPT to give meaning to the title, without success. The magazine did give insight into the word "Aghori" relating to a "sect of Hindu ascetics known for their unconventional practices".[10] In their review of the album Beats Per Minute concluded the same meaning for the word "Aghori". Going further they opined that the word "Mhori" was an "alteration" of the word Mahori, a Sanskrit term that can mean "beautiful or attractive". They also tied the word "Mei" to a Hindi possessive term.
The album artwork and packaging was designed by visual artist and band collaborator Katelan Foisy.[11] [12] It features a black-and-white picture of a spherical shaped object in the foreground, with two white lines of decreasing vertical distance in the background. The album artwork was inspired by photographs from the Cassini–Huygens space research mission to study the planet Saturn and its system. Particular influence came from the missions photographs of Saturn's Moon, Titan.[13] [14]
A unique gatefold vinyl variant of the album called "Aghori Mhori Mei: Madame ZuZu's edition" is set to be released on 22 November 2024. The design of the alternative album cover is the same as the standard edition cover art, recolored in "chinoise red".
The album was released on August 2, 2024, through Martha's Music and will be distributed digitally through streaming services and digital storefronts initially.[15] Physical copies of the album will be released on November 22, 2024. An exclusive edition Vinyl named Aghori Mhori Mei: Madame ZuZu's edition will be released through frontman Billy Corgan's Chicago tea room Madame ZuZu's.[1] Corgan announced that no singles would be released prior to the album's release, explaining that the band "had to give the knee many times to what is the first song and what is the first statement and let other people judge us by one moment in time. We felt the right way to hear this record was an intact body of work".[16]
Despite no singles being released before the albums release, "Sighommi" was released as the first single on August 2, 2024.[4] It was promoted to alternative and rock format radio stations in the United States. The track was the number one most-added track to these formats in its first week of release.[17] . A double A-side 7" single featuring "Formosa" and "Our Lady of Sorrows" is set to be released on November 22, 2024, free with the "Madame ZuZu's edition" of the album.[18]
In promotion for the album the band released a series of AI altered videos. The videos alter the English language version, with Billy Corgan promoting the album in various laguages, including French, German and Japanese.[19]
A number of critics regarded the album as a return to form for the band. AllMusic highly praised the album calling it "a rock & roll pyre lit with myth and memory". Kerrang! praised the album, describing the album that as feeling "like the true return", summarizing the record by calling it "an excellent album that suggests intriguing possibilities going forward". Clash magazine equally praised the album. Describing that the band were "back and are ready to make a racket" and calling the album "a welcome surprise from one of rocks most unpredictable acts". Beats Per Minute's John Wohlmacher called the album "a fully formed and cohesive work".
Rolling Stone were more critical of the record. Describing that the band had "lost little of their brute force" the reviewer felt that the return to rock had "reduced the Pumpkins to an unrelenting and often oppressive metal band". In a mixed review, The Irish Times Lauren Murphy opined that the album "lives up to expectations, for the most part". Singling out "Goeth the Fall", she called the track a "highlight".
Some critics found issue with the album's production and mix. Clash noted criticism with a lack of dynamics and high vocal mix on recent albums, singling out Cyr and as examples. While the publication called the album's production a "massive improvement", the magazine suggested "working with an outside producer" going forward. Sputnikmusic had similar criticisms, stating that the production "struggles to mask its own artifice", but did note production as a "step up from previous ventures". Beats Per Minute singled out long-time collaborator Howard Willing, calling the vocal mix "noticeably digital" and that Willing "dries it up or modulates it unfavourably, adding tinny treble".
Reception amongst fans was reported as being "positive" towards the album.[20] The album topped an "All-Genre Poll" ran by Billboard, with music fans naming their favorite new music release of the week.[21]
All songs written by William Patrick Corgan
The Smashing Pumpkins
Additional personnel
| Peak position | |
| Japanese Digital Albums (Oricon)[22] | 43 |
|---|---|
| UK Album Sales (OCC)[23] | 70 |
| Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | August 2, 2024 | Martha's Music | |
| Various | November 22, 2024 |