William Patrick Corgan - Ogilala (Martha’s Music/BMG) 2017
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Smashing Pumpkins frontman, William Patrick Corgan returns with his second solo album Ogilala. Totally stripped down and fully personal, Corgan’s distinct voice leads the way in one of the most compelling and clever works of his career. Produced by Rick Rubin and recorded at Shangri La studios in Malibu, Ogilala is an immersive effort, that explores Corgan’s mindset and emotional depth – Rubin cleverly played with that really well.
Assuredly delivering raspy croons, intense piano displays, epic string arrangements and pleasant acoustic guitars, the passion behind his voice infuses his lyrics with a deeply affecting intimacy, probably the first time we see Corgan so vulnerable and personal. From “Zowie,” a tribute to David Bowie, to the piano driven “Aeronaut”, there’s a huge sense of melancholia and introspection on many of the songs.
It’s fair to say that sounds completely different from his vast catalogue, but he is again exploring new grounds and Ogilala is exactly that.