CREATIVE DIRECTION: RIKE, COOK, UTESCH
ART DIRECTION + DESIGN: BRANDON RIKE
ILLUSTRATION + LAYOUT: NATE UTESCH
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LABEL: NAPALM RECORDS
MANAGEMENT: JIMMY THROGMORTON / VELVET HAMMER

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SHINY AND OH SO BRIGHT
VOL. 1 NO PAST. NO FUTURE. NO SUN.
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The definition of identity has evolved. Who we truly are has become an abstract idea, and a combination of what we present to the world, how the world chooses to perceive us, and whatever remnants are left of the actual human form we inhabit. The human form, however, is stepping back from its previous role as a focal point, instead surrendering to a more calculated superficial version, one that’s able to shape-shift according to the needs of its consumers.

The visual narrative for “Shiny And Oh So Bright, Volume One: No Past. No Future. No Sun.” uses these themes to portray a sense of self battling with the synthetic version that the outside world sees. We become accustomed to portraying ourselves in such a way that our true self is left disconnected, tormented, ashamed, and weary of maintaining such an image. We are but fragmented, exaggerated, and distorted versions of ourselves. We’ve lost our identities to the pursuit of our consumers, which leaves us lifeless and unsure of who we were when we began.

Often, our prominent selves is what we used to be. Other times, our prominent selves is what we show the world - a version often calculated with personal
marketing strategies based on Likes and Follows. In fact, the maintenance that we now do on our public image has not only made our human identity fade, but effectively rendered it insignificant. Our humanity gets lost in the reverberation of an endless feedback loop. The feedback is so prominent, that we forget the original sound altogether.

The cover figure is disconnected, fragmented, holding a mask, reverberating, and behind it all, ashamed and exhausted of keeping up the appearance.

In addition to the cover illustration, the band members will be illustrated to portray a glorified yet fragmented version of themselves - similar to a character or persona that they express.

The aesthetic is meant to tug at the heartstrings of what used to give us hope, yet make subtle commentary on what we have become as people - and more importantly what The Smashing Pumpkins exist as - and entity somewhere between what they used to be, and what they will become.