The Smashing Pumpkins Share New Track ‘Black Stars’
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The Smashing Pumpkins have released “Black Stars”, a new track for the upcoming film *The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping*. It began as a song Billy Corgan was working on for a solo album, then was adapted after he was invited to contribute to the film’s soundtrack.
Corgan drew inspiration from the film’s fictional world and its unfolding story. The soundtrack is due on 13 November and contains 29 tracks; the article says 29 artists contributed, though most have yet to be named. “Black Stars” is track 15, while Noah Kahan is also credited for “Draw You Out”.
- The Smashing Pumpkins have released “Black Stars”.
- The song features on an upcoming Hunger Games film soundtrack.
- The 29-track soundtrack is due on 13 November.
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The Smashing Pumpkins are an American rock band formed in Chicago in 1988, led by singer and songwriter Billy Corgan. The group became widely known in the 1990s for blending alternative rock with elements of heavier guitar music and pop.
The Hunger Games is a series of novels by Suzanne Collins, adapted into films about a future society where young people are forced to compete in a televised fight for survival. Sunrise On The Reaping is a prequel, set before the events of the first story, and follows a character named Haymitch Abernathy.
Full account
The Smashing Pumpkins have released “Black Stars”, a new song written for the forthcoming film The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping. It appears on the film’s accompanying album, due on 13 November, a week before the film is scheduled to open in cinemas on 20 November.
The song began while frontman Billy Corgan was working on a solo record. After the band was invited to contribute to the soundtrack, Corgan chose a song he felt suited the film’s setting and story. The band recorded it with producer Butch Vig, with sessions at Chaplin Studios in Los Angeles and additional recording in Chicago. Vig’s return marks his first work with the group since producing 1993’s Siamese Dream, according to Blabbermouth.
One report characterises the track as jangly and melodic, with a sound that feels fresh while retaining familiar elements of the band. Blabbermouth focuses instead on the production and the song’s place among original material created for the film’s world. The outlet also reports that “Black Stars” is part of the Pumpkins’ current North American arena set.
The album is executive-produced by Dave Cobb and is set to feature 29 artists across genres. Its full tracklist includes “Black Stars” at number 15, as well as a contribution from Noah Kahan. The film, directed by Francis Lawrence, is set in Panem 24 years before the events of the original Hunger Games story and centres on Haymitch Abernathy during the Second Quarter Quell.
Where outlets differ
The first report describes the song’s sound and says the soundtrack’s 29 artists have yet to be revealed, while Blabbermouth names Noah Kahan in the tracklist and gives production details, including Butch Vig’s involvement and the recording locations.
The first report says the song took shape while Corgan was preparing a solo album and that he drew on the film’s universe. Blabbermouth adds that Corgan brought Vig in to help select the song for the project.
Blabbermouth specifies the album’s 13 November release date, its MCA label, the film’s 20 November cinema release and the band’s tour context; these details are absent from the first report.
More coverage
- Blabbermouth — THE SMASHING PUMPKINS Release Music Video For 'Black Stars' From 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping (The Album)'
- Stereogum — Smashing Pumpkins – “Black Stars”
- Consequence — Smashing Pumpkins Share New Butch Vig-Produced Song “Black Stars” for Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping: Stream