Yungblud - Idols (Album Review)

Yungblud - Idols
Released: June 20, 2025

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‍Yungblud is back with his 4^th studio album, Idols. A striking title with a singular word that no matter who you are, will connect with you on some level... however, it doesn’t give away too much of the contents and the meaning behind the record, which is a smart move. It is something that fans can call their own and create their own meaning for - as well as the intentions already laced within it by Yungblud himself.

Before jumping into it, let me start by saying that I apologise to lead single 'Hello, Heaven Hello' for the review when it was released. I think back on it now after having sat with the record and listened to the track far more, and think to myself “shit, I was in a sour mood that day, clearly.” I understand why I was harsh towards it because at the time of its release, I couldn’t understand the direction it was taking, but after having heard the full album, I now see that it’s setting up for the ebbs and flows of the music style choices that are shown.

The constant changing of styles in music throughout 'Hello, Heaven Hello' is so incredibly brilliant in the way it works to keep your attention, because unless you’re constantly looking at the title of the song, much like I did, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was three different tracks all blended together. Attention spans am I right!? By opening your mind to this new approach, you'll pick up on intricate little details (such as sounds and key changes) and follow the story Yungblud is portraying lyrically.

In saying that, understand why I was so harsh towards it - in particular, the length. I still think it is a bit too long if I'm being honest - but for the most part, I have grown to appreciate it much more with the bigger picture in front of me. It was a strong first single, but do I think it was the RIGHT first release? It's hard to say, because it wasn't until hearing the entire record that I understood the purpose. The flow of styles in this song set up the overall Idols listening experience - and with that in mind, you'll be ready for what's ahead and not caught off guard like I was.

Now let me introduce to you, 'Idols Part 1' which was a song that really intrigued me with the meaning behind it. I felt so many things, but mostly curiosity. There is a lyric that says “Whatever happened to living like idols if we want to be? Flying through the obstacles of emancipated dreams, living like idols, just you and me. Cause everyone knows I need you. I wear too much make up to see” and I couldn’t help but wonder if this was written about the love of an idol, or was it about the shift in how media portrayed celebrities and those that people idolise these days – Harry Styles for example – and their criticism towards the way they choose to dress and express themselves. But outside of my immense curiosity and love of the track, my absolute favourite part, and the most unexpected, was the incredible SEAMLESS transition into 'Lovesick Lullaby'.

Genuinely, 'Lovesick Lullaby' is probably one of the top tracks on Idols for me. It is a song that is very reminiscent of YB's debut album 21^st Century Liability in its tone and energetic performance, both vocally and musically. It is something I feel fans haven’t heard for quite some time as this kind of energy is starting to mellow through the years. Back when Yungblud was first starting, this style of bold, chaotic, bouncy energy was always present to the point of being expected, so it felt very refreshing to hear it again. The beat is one that you can dance to, and it makes you feel very energetically positive. The vocals are a standout to show that while it has been a little bit since we’ve seen one of these playful tracks, it is also one that shows off how far (I think) Yungblud has come as an artist since the release of 21^st Century Liability in his ability to control how he can be wild but not at 150% at all times.

We follow on from this wild one with 'Zombie', which honestly just is emotional whiplash. The heartbreak that was felt while listening to this was just immediate and unlike my curiosity that was felt with 'Idols Part 1', I could easily understand the story behind this beautiful, slow, raw emotional song that hits those extended notes at just the right moment and digs that metaphorical knife into your already breaking heart - to make you feel your feelings that bit deeper. Then if you really weren’t sad enough from all of this being so well conveyed, the music video will push you to the brink of unleashing those waterworks with both walking hand in hand with precision.

The next track I really want to highlight is 'Ghosts', and this is one of those occasions where I really can’t explain it. Something about this song just always hit me and made me fall in love with it. I think part of the reason is its simplicity. I mean no negative connotation with this at all, but this is another track that is quite lengthy - as a few of them are - but the introduction is quite slow, melodic and gentle, with the beginning lyrics being so descriptive in setting up the scene. It almost paints a picture in your mind which I feel is incredibly hard to do sometimes. The bass then continues to be quite rhythmic, and by the time the 3-and-a-half-minute mark is hit, the lyrics have finished, and we’re hit with such a change of pace with the introduction of what seems to become an orchestral solo blended with clapping, a guitar solo, Dom singing high notes, and a funky as fuck bass beat. I can already picture in my head how well this song will go off in a live setting, having the call and response portion as well as the crowd involvement with the clapping.

I really enjoyed getting to listen to and almost be taken on a lyrical, story filled journey of the things that Yungblud feels, such as 'Change' where the opening lyrics state "Change, won't you ever stay the same? Oh daggers in my heart, I almost forgot that I need you. Pain, oh won't you hit me with your pain" and continues onwards to say "Take it on the chin, when all you really want to do is be a clown" and how we place so much self worth on the idea of how people view us. Their opinions are hurled at us every day and we want to just be ourselves but everyone needs us to put on a big brave face and be who they want us to be, so we end up becoming somewhat of a shell of ourselves. Truly expressing how much those words feel like daggers to the heart is something that is bold, brave, and therapeutic. During my upcoming interview with Dom, he explained if the album wasn't going to be called Idols, it was going to be called Change, and after hearing this song, you'll understand why.

However, there are some songs that just weren't for me - two examples are 'The Great Parade' and 'Monday Murder'. I found these to both be a case of background tracks where despite listening tentatively, I felt my mind start to wander as I did other things. I would say this is definitely just a case of it not hitting as hard for me as some of the other tracks that I felt a connection with or had a really strong positive reaction to. 'Monday Murder' had some beautiful metaphors in the lyrics, such as the sentence "You shine with effervescent light" which I ADORE, but I just found the track repetitive at times.

When it comes to 'Fire', 'War' and 'Supermoon', I feel like they all have a similar vibe to them in that they're somewhat slower, darker, and have this rhythmic strumming pattern to go along as the basis of the beat which builds as the song progresses. It is clear that 'Supermoon' is a closing track as it is slower for the majority of the way through and has those outlandish final song vibes throughout - kind of what you'd expect in the final scene of a movie where the lyrics "All you are is a self fulfilling prophecy, a product of your own temptation, living your imagination. All you are is a self inflicting odyssey, tell me what inspires you lately?" ring out as the scene unfolds. This track is clearly the new mindset that Yungblud comes to shift towards, talking to himself, after realising that Idols are just people we look up to -- not who we are -- and we need to fulfil our own imaginations and talk to ourselves and check in with ourselves with what inspires us to be ourselves while finding a way to make those dreams reality. It's an empowering message that will have you feeling all kinds of emotions.

There are parts of this album as a fan that I wouldn't change for the world, and other parts I wish I could see more of, such as more songs in the style of 'Lovesick Lullaby'. I don't think as a long-term Yungblud fan that I'm really ready to let go of his playful musical style, which he has seemed to be venturing further away from in recent years. But on the other hand, this is a powerful record that shows how far Dom has matured as a person and an artist. It feels more reflective, introspective and you can tell he has done the work to better himself mentally (in a very positive way) and I think this record really shows it when you listen deeply to the lyrics.

Rating: 8/10
Idols is out June 20^th via Universal Music. Pre-order/save here
Review by Heather McNab @heathermcnab