Barely two years on from their last epic album, The Smashing Pumpkins are gearing up to release a new 20-track opus called Cyr on November 27. Having already shared a pair of singles, “Cyr” and “The Colour of Love”, they return today with two more: “Confessions of a Dopamine Addict” and “Wrath”.
Despite the less-than-optimistic titles, both “Confessions of a Dopamine Addict” and “Wrath” are among the prettiest songs The Smashing Pumpkins have recorded. Both are unabashed synth-pop, and could easily be mistaken for Billy Corgan solo tracks were it not for Jimmy Chamberlain’s distinctive drumming. “Confessions of a Dopamine Addict” finds Corgan professing “love is easy”, before going on to detail all the ways beauty and adoration can lead down a dark path, while crystalline synths create a sparkling hollow all around. “Wrath” is even more directly pretty in a very Depeche Mode-indebted manner, with female vocals making an appearance, their angelic grace adding to the overall dreaminess of the track.
The official video for “Confessions of a Dopamine Addict” will form the next part of Smashing Pumpkins’ In Ashes animated series, and is premiering later, but it is available to hear now on streaming platforms. Listen to “Wrath” below or on streaming platforms.
The Smashing Pumpkins’ new album Cyr is coming out through Sumerian Records on Friday, November 27 (pre-order). Follow the band on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
