Smashing Pumpkins reunites with Butch Vig
The legendary Smashing Pumpkins are diving back into the world of epic storytelling with a new musical venture, teaming up with producer Butch Vig for the track Black Stars. This new song is a vital preview for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (The Album), set to be released on November 13 via MCA.
This collaboration marks a significant moment, as it represents the band’s first joint effort with Vig since the landmark success of Siamese Dream in 1993. That album remains a cornerstone of alternative rock history, defining the commercial breakthrough of the early nineties and setting a high bar for creative partnerships.
Inspired by the fictional, yet intensely realized, world of Panem, Black Stars serves as the latest musical glimpse into the expansive soundtrack, which features contributions from 29 different artists. The entire collection was executive produced by Dave Cobb, who also worked with artists like Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, directed by Francis Lawrence, is set to hit theaters on November 20, bringing the intense atmosphere of Panem to the screen. The music, therefore, acts as an essential component in building the cinematic experience.
The genesis of Black Stars arose while Corgan was focused on a solo album. When the band received the invitation to contribute an original piece for the film, Corgan brought in Vig to help guide the selection of the track best suited to the narrative. The recording sessions took place at Chaplin Studios in Los Angeles, with additional creative sessions held in Chicago.
While the band is currently celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness with their Rats in a Cage Tour, Black Stars is poised to make its mark in the broader context of the cinematic soundtrack. This move demonstrates the band’s continued capacity to blend their signature sound with high-concept, ambitious projects.
The soundtrack campaign for The Hunger Games is already buzzing, further evidenced by other artists creating music within the same universe. For instance, Noah Kahan recently launched a parallel effort, producing a track with Aaron Dessner, extending his creative partnership into the same world of the Games.
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