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Aghori Mhori Mei

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Aghori Mhori Mei
Studio album by
the Smashing Pumpkins
ReleasedAugust 2, 2024 (2024-08-02)
Recorded2022–2024[1][2]
Genre
Length44:41
Label
ProducerBilly Corgan
The Smashing Pumpkins chronology
Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts
(2023) 		Aghori Mhori Mei
(2024)
Singles from Aghori Mhori Mei
  1. "Sighommi"
    Released: August 2, 2024
  2. "Formosa/Our Lady of Sorrows"
    Released: November 22, 2024
Alternate cover
Madame ZuZu's edition cover

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.[3][4] Physical versions of the album are set to be released on November 22, 2024.[5]

The album was written and recorded over a two-year period and is billed as a "rock and roll guitar record".[1] 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.[6] "Sighommi" was released as the first single from the album on August 2, 2024.[7]

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.

Background and development

[edit]

In December 2022, Drummer Jimmy Chamberlin posted through his official Instagram account that the band were "back in the studio".[2] In May 2023, Billy Corgan announced that the band had already began work on a follow-up album to triple album Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts (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".[6] 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".[1]

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]

Composition

[edit]

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.[9][10][11] The album's 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.[12] Some of the tracks such as "Goeth the Fall" take on a mid tempo ballad styling,[13][14] with "Who Goes There" leaning into a more "bittersweet pop"[11] presentation.

The albums lyrical themes touch on the concepts of religion,[12] music history,[12] travel,[11] and relationships.[10]

Title and artwork

[edit]
The album's official logo in Sanskrit styling.

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".[15] 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.[13]

Photograph of Titan captured by the space probe Cassini–Huygens[16]

The album artwork and packaging was designed by visual artist and band collaborator Katelan Foisy.[17][18] 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 mission's photographs of Saturn's Moon, Titan.[16][19]

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".[20]

Promotion and release

[edit]

In the writing of this new album I became intrigued with the well-worn axiom, 'you can't go home again', which I have found personally to be true in form but thought well, what if we tried anyway? Not so much in looking backwards with sentimentality but rather as a means to move forward; to see if in the balance of success and failure that our ways of making music circa 1990-1996 would still inspire something revelatory.

Billy Corgan, Aghori Mhori Mei press release[21]

The album was released on August 2, 2024 through Martha's Music, and will be distributed digitally through streaming services and digital storefronts initially.[22] 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.[3] 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".[21]

Despite no singles being released before the albums release, "Sighommi" was released as the first single on August 2, 2024.[7] 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.[23] 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.[20]

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 languages, including French, German and Japanese.[24]

Critical reception

[edit]
Aghori Mhori Mei ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic77/100[25]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[26]
Beats Per Minute82%[13]
Clash8/10[11]
The Irish Times[14]
Kerrang![9]
No Ripcord8/10[27]
Rolling Stone[10]
Sputnikmusic[28]

According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Aghori Mhori Mei received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 77 out of 100 from 8 critic scores.[25]

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".[26] 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".[9] 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".[11] Beats Per Minute''s John Wohlmacher called the album "a fully formed and cohesive work".[13]

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".[10] 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".[14]

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 Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts as examples. While the publication called the album's production a "massive improvement", the magazine suggested "working with an outside producer" going forward.[11] 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".[28] 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".[13]

Reception amongst fans was reported as being "positive" towards the album.[29] The album topped an "All-Genre Poll" ran by Billboard, with music fans naming their favorite new music release of the week.[30]

Track listing

[edit]
Aghori Mhori Mei track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Edin"6:46
2."Pentagrams"6:25
3."Sighommi"2:54
4."Pentecost"3:18
5."War Dreams of Itself"3:28
6."Who Goes There"3:28
7."999"5:43
8."Goeth the Fall"3:25
9."Sicarus"4:15
10."Murnau"4:59
Total length:44:41
Aghori Mhori Mei: Madame ZuZu's edition track listing[a]
No.TitleLength
11."Formosa" 
12."Our Lady of Sorrows" 

All songs written by William Patrick Corgan

Personnel

[edit]

The Smashing Pumpkins

Additional personnel

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Aghori Mhori Mei
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Japanese Digital Albums (Oricon)[31] 43
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 84
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[33] 6
UK Album Sales (OCC)[34] 70
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[35] 17
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[36] 45

Release history

[edit]
Release history for Aghori Mhori Mei
Region Date Format(s) Label(s)
Various August 2, 2024[3]
Martha's Music
Various November 22, 2024[5]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Bonus tracks to be released on a free bonus 7" single with Aghori Mhori Mei: Madame ZuZu's edition

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Ruskell, Nick (June 4, 2024). "Billy Corgan: "I don't play any songs I don't want to play. I don't care if they're classic or not"". Kerrang. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Back in the studio with @smashingpumpkins". Instagram. December 3, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Kaufman, Gil (July 19, 2024). "Smashing Pumpkins Announce 13th Studio Album, Aghori Mhori Mei". Billboard. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  4. ^ "Aghori Mhori Mei - The Smashing Pumpkins". Amazon Music. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Aghori Mhori Mei - The Smashing Pumpkins". HMV. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Colothan, Scott (May 4, 2023). "The Smashing Pumpkins working on 'straight up rock album' that echoes Siamese Dream & Mellon Collie". Kerrang. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Smashing Pumpkins Get Back To Their '90s Roots On New Album". iHeartRadio. August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  8. ^ Cingrana, Joe (August 2, 2024). "Billy Corgan on getting back into the '90s mindset for The Smashing Pumpkins' 'Aghori Mhori Mei'". Audacy. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Hickie, James (August 2, 2024). "Album review: The Smashing Pumpkins – Aghori Mhori Mei". Kerrang!. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d Browne, David (August 5, 2024). "Billy Corgan Wants to Rock Out Again. Is That a Good Thing?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Walker-Smart, Sam (August 4, 2024). "The Smashing Pumpkins – Aghori Mhori Mei". Clash. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c "Billy Corgan Tried to Take Himself Back to the Early Days of Smashing Pumpkins on New Album". Loudwire. August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d e Wohlmacher, John (August 2, 2024). "Album Review: The Smashing Pumpkins – Aghori Mhori Mei". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c Murphy, Lauren (August 8, 2024). "Aghori Mhori Mei – Billy Corgan and co return to their 1990s alternative roots". The Irish Times. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  15. ^ Fraser, Lewry (July 22, 2024). "Looking back at their early years for inspiration, Smashing Pumpkins announce new album Aghori Mhori Mei". Classic Rock. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "PIA08211: Ring of Light". NASA. June 30, 2006. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  17. ^ "Katelan Foisy art". Katelan Foisy. August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  18. ^ "Smashing Pumpkins Unveil New Bourbon, Cut With Tea From Billy Corgan's Emporium". Rolling Stone. June 1, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  19. ^ "Cassini at Titan". NASA. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  20. ^ a b The Smashing Pumpkins. "Aghori Mhori Mei: Madame ZuZu's edition - The Smashing Pumpkins". Madame ZuZu's. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  21. ^ a b Dunworth, Liberty (July 19, 2024). "Smashing Pumpkins announce 13th album 'Aghori Mhori Mei', out next month". NME. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  22. ^ Kreps, Daniel (July 19, 2024). "Smashing Pumpkins Reveal New Album Aghori Mhori Mei Out in Two Weeks". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  23. ^ "SMASHING PUMPKINS' BILLY CORGAN Uses A.I. Tools To Share Video Message In Seven Different Languages". Blabbermouth. August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  24. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (August 14, 2024). "Billy Corgan enlists AI to share videos with fans in eight languages". NME. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Aghori Mhori Mei by The Smashing Pumpkins, retrieved October 27, 2024
  26. ^ a b Collar, Matt (August 9, 2024). "Aghori Mhori Mei – The Smashing Pumpkins". AllMusic. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  27. ^ Edgardo Rodriguez, Juan (August 19, 2024). "The Smashing Pumpkins Aghori Mhori Mei". No Ripcord. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  28. ^ a b "The Smashing Pumpkins Aghori Mhori Mei". Sputnikmusic. August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  29. ^ Childers, Chad (August 2, 2024). "Fans React to New Smashing Pumpkins Album After Not Hearing a Song Before It Came Out". Loudwire. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  30. ^ Peters, Mitchell (August 4, 2024). "Fans Choose Smashing Pumpkins' 'Aghori Mhori Mei' as This Week's Favorite New Music in All-Genre Poll". Billboard. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  31. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Digital Albums: August 12, 2024" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  32. ^ "Swisscharts.com – The Smashing Pumpkins – Aghori Mhori Mei". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  33. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  34. ^ "Smashing Pumpkins Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  35. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  36. ^ "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
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