Yungblud Announces A New Album Release “Idols”
British alt-rock singer Yungblud has officially announced “Idols” as his fourth studio album. Also, claiming that it is the first installment in a forthcoming double LP. Set for release on June 20 via Island Records in the U.K. and Capitol Records in the U.S., “Idols” marks a bold new chapter for Yungblud.
Described by Yungblud as “a love letter to self-reclamation… to rock music… [and] to life in all its f–king madness,” “Idols” promises to be his most expansive work. Also, it will be the most emotionally raw work to date. In a statement accompanying the announcement, the Doncaster native reflected on the album’s central theme. Thus, it is obviously the human tendency to idolize others before discovering our identities.
“We turn to others for an identity before turning to ourselves,” he wrote. “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.”
That introspective narrative is shown throughout “Idols,” recorded in Leeds. The place happens to be not far from Harrison’s hometown in Yorkshire. He emphasized that the album was created focusing on immersive storytelling rather than chart-chasing singles. “I wanted to make a project that didn’t focus on singles or anything else except feeling and world-building,” he said. “There are no limitations.”
Those ambitions are reflected in the album’s cinematic lead single and opening track, “Hello Heaven, Hello.” The track is a sprawling nine-minute rock opera. Followed by a haunting “Lovesick Lullaby.” Production duties on “Idols” were handled by longtime collaborator Matt Schwartz, producer Bob Bradley, and touring guitarist Adam Warrington. Thus, each gave the project a raw, live-wire energy that leans into Yungblud’s signature blend of genres.
Yungblud and Growth in “Idols”
The album also marks a major transition in Yungblud’s career. The new deal with Island and Capitol is a deliberate step toward what he sees as a more artistically aligned home. “It’s a new phase in my life, and these labels are so classic,” he told Billboard U.K. in August. “The last few months have been a lot more creatively fruitful and inspiring. I really had a choice: stay in the comfort zone, or go to different places and experiment.”
Yungblud’s previous two LPs—Weird! (2020) and the self-titled Yungblud (2022) topped the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart. The latter also earned him his highest position yet on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 45.
Coinciding with the release of “Idols,” Yungblud will return to the stage for the second edition of “Bludfest” on June 21 in Milton Keynes. The genre-bending festival, which debuted last year, will feature performances from Chase Atlantic, Rachel Chinouriri, and Yungblud himself.
As anticipation builds for “Idols,” one thing is clear: Yungblud is no longer just an artist riding the wave of Gen Z angst—he’s carving out his lane, crafting a sound and vision that’s entirely his own.
