YUNGBLUD Releases Fourth Studio Album "IDOLS" North American Tour Starts This August!

The Pop Punk Dad
12 minutes ago
4 min read

Ahead of his highly anticipated North American headline tour starting on August 23, internationally acclaimed force and one-of-a-kind British rocker, Yungblud has released his fourth studio album IDOLS today. Listen HERE.

His most ambitious body of work to date, IDOLS is the first installment of a double album (with the release date of part two to be announced) and marks an exciting coming of age for the 27-year-old artist whose last two albums went to number one in the UK, broke into the Billboard top 100, and has accumulated an astonishing 6 billion streams globally.

The album comes today with a stunning live performance visional of focus track ‘Ghosts;’ a powerful piano ballad, featuring one of the strongest vocal performances of Yungblud’s career. Speaking about the track, Yungblud said, “It’s about comprehending mortality. I wrote it while walking down the banks of the River Thames, thinking how many people had walked the same path and what was going through their heads while they were doing it.” He adds, “We’re gone in the blink of an eye, and life is precious and fast. Don’t forget to live it. The Outro of Ghosts was one of my favourite pieces of music that we’ve written on this album. I just let my imagination run. It’s inspired by opera, specifically ‘The King and I’. Everyone thought I was crazy when I referenced that in a rock recording session. But f*ck it. That’s Idols!”

To shut out all external influences and steer clear of the well-trodden, formulaic approach often found in mainstream studio songwriting and production, the 12-track offering that is IDOLS was recorded just outside of where Yungblud grew up in the north of England, with producer Matt Schwartz at the helm, Bob Bradley on additional production, and guitarist Adam Warrington. The first single ‘Hello Heaven, Hello’ (watch HERE) broke the internet and the mold of the traditional single, with its full 9 minutes and six seconds being premiered on BBC Radio 1 and widespread airplay across the U.S. to follow. The raucous follow-up, ‘Lovesick Lullaby’ (watch HERE) was described as “combining Liam Gallagher's sneer with Beach Boys' harmonies” and “uniquely Yungblud” by the BBC. His latest single, ‘Zombie,’ saw Yungblud’s creative collaboration with Academy Award-nominated actress, Florence Pugh, in a heart-wrenching music video, an ode to healthcare workers (watch HERE). ‘Zombie’, arguably his most profound single to date, showcased a new depth in the musician’s songwriting arsenal.

On IDOLS, Yungblud explores the theme of hero-worship; how we look to others for validation, often putting others’ lives on a pedestal at the expense of the richness of our own experiences. Yungblud says, “We turn to others for an identity before turning to ourselves. Self-belief, self-reclamation, self-evolution and change. As we grow up, we lose our belief in magic and mystery. We begin to rationalize everything; our cage walls build up.” He added, “We compare ourselves to 15 different people before we’ve even had our breakfast”.

IDOLS is available now in digital, CD and 4 vinyl variants; standard black vinyl, limited edition signed “Distant Smoke” marble vinyl, indie exclusive signed “Supermoon” silver vinyl, Amazon exclusive “Wishing Well” magenta vinyl and Spotify exclusive “Hell and Back” two color vinyl. Each vinyl includes a 4-page lyric booklet and 1 of 6 collectible double-sided photo lithos – unique to each vinyl variant – designed to form a cross-shaped image when the set is completed.

Yungblud will return for the second year of his curated festival, Bludfest, at the Milton Keynes National Bowl. The eclectic lineup will include global artists Chase Atlantic, blackbear and Denzel Curry, as well as British rising stars, Rachel Chinouriri and Nieve Ella. Visit Bludfest.com for more information.