Spellbinding

"Spellbinding" is the second single from The Smashing Pumpkins' twelfth studio album, ATUM. The song was released on streaming platforms on March 28, 2023.https://www.nme.com/news/music/smashing-pumpkins-share-new-song-spellbinding-announce-us-tour-with-interpol-3422030 It was also then featured in the end credits of Murder Mystery 2 on Netflix which was released on March 31, 2023.
== Background ==
In an interview with Q101's Brian and Kenzie Show on July 4, 2023, Billy Corgan explained the story behind the noted chorus of "Spellbinding".
During the making of ATUM, the band originally only had the opening riff recorded, with the rest of the song written differently than it how ended up on the album. Corgan stated that the following morning, he woke from a dream with the "take me away, I'm going to find you" melody playing in his head, thinking it sounded similar to something he may have already written. Nonetheless, he recorded the idea on his phone so as not to forget about it.
That same morning, Corgan arrived to the studio before Chamberlin, who was to record the drums for the original version of the song. Corgan asked to record the idea from his dream, which they did. Later that day recording continued on what became "Spellbinding", but the band felt something was missing. It occurred to Corgan that the melody idea from the dream might fit. It not only fit, but was roughly the same tempo and key.
== Critical reception ==
Upon its release, "Spellbinding" received fairly positive reviews. They especially praised how the song mixed the band's modern synth sound with its classic guitar and drum sounds.https://music.mxdwn.com/2023/03/28/news/the-smashing-pumpkins-shares-fiery-new-single-spellbinding/
Much like the prior single "Beguiled", "Spellbinding" performed moderately well in the United States on the Billboard Charts. In March 2023 the single reached number 26 on the Rock Airplay and also hit the top 20 of the Alternative Airplay chart, reaching number 18. The release marks the first time since the year 2000 that the band have had two consecutive top 20 hits, with the previous being "The Everlasting Gaze" and "Stand Inside Your Love" charting at number 4 and number 2 respectively on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.
== Synopsis ==
==Music video==
The music video was released on June 28, 2023, and was directed by Kevin Kerslake – who had directed the "Cherub Rock" music video almost 30 years earlier.https://www.instagram.com/p/CtxZr1XJviu/ The video was created entirely using the Unreal Engine 3D computer graphics software, which is used primarily by game developers. Similarly, the band all had to wear specialized suits for motion capturing in order to translate them into the digital realm. Kerslake stated adding in the guitars, drum kit, among other things added challenges that wouldn't normally play a role in this form of 3D modeling. ("Spellbinding" music video release after-party conversation with Corgan and Kerslake; available only to YouTube Premium members)
Unlike other ATUM singles, the video closely aligns with the rock opera story, depicting the characters Shiny (as Corgan), June, and Ruby. Within the story, the video largely takes place in what Corgan refers to as June's "death dream". He essentially told Kerslake to "do whatever [he] wants" with the video, and was pleased with the outcome, even stating the computer-aided technology gave him hope to perhaps one day do something similar for a full ATUM film.
The end of the video features audio from the subsequent and final track from ATUM, "Of Wings". This final scene depicts the character Shiny going after June, while also hinting at what happens next after the end of the ATUM story.
==Lyrics==
==Release==
== Personnel ==
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== Charts ==
Chart (2023)	Peakposition
==References==
== External links ==
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