Billy's last album ogilala is no easy thing to follow up, it was a breathtakingly beautiful work of art, I think being free of the public pressure that is associated with the smashing pumpkins allows him to go even further with his art. Cotillions has very little similarities to his last solo album but it's an equally great record, To fully appreciate the direction he took with this I recommend watching the 30 days documentary on YouTube where he went on a trip through rural middle America to find inspiration. Cotillions is the result of those experiences and brings to the table heavy elements of folk and country, to be clear I emphasize elements. This is not a country album, but where I personally despise that genre of music he makes those elements work in a really beautiful way. Like ogilala, this album is beautiful and deep but it's very personal feeling and packed full of songs that will be stuck in your head, this is an album that takes hold of your soul and doesn't let go. Now, if you're of the crowd that hates everything after Mellon collie and the infinite sadness then this isn't going to change your mind, but if you like me look forward to the differences each album brings and genuinely love his music then this is one of the best albums he's ever put out and you really should not miss this album.