Yungblud Idols Part 2

This week Yungblud unexpectedly dropped Idols Part 2, the second part of his Idols album, released last year. Part 1 featured Hello Heaven, Hello, Idols Pt. 1, Lovesick Lullaby, Zombie, The Greatest Parade, Change, Monday Murder, Ghosts, Fire, War, Idols Pt. 2, Supermoon while in Part 2 we gain I Need You (To Make The World Seem Fine), The Postman, Zombie (feat. The Smashing Pumpkins), Time, War Pt. II, Blueberry Hill, Suburban Requiem. The surprise release has sent fans into a frenzy, with many praising the ambition of splitting the project into two distinct yet interconnected halves that feel both nostalgic and forward thinking.

Part 1

Hello heaven, hello is an absolutely bittersweet track full of emotion, and when the beat changes around 2.50 (which, btw I cant help but notice with Ozzy as his mentor during this era, sounds eerily similar to the war pigs intro), it only strengthens this. It has much more of a rock sound than his previously pop punk sounds, and we are so here for it.

Idols Part 1 sounds like it takes influences from David Bowie especially in the vocals, The Verve Bittersweet Symphony, Bryan Adams, U2, The Cure. It has some rocking guitars. The layering of these inspirations creates something theatrical yet grounded, nostalgic yet distinctly his own.

Lovesick lullaby feels very Britpop specifically Oasis and Blur. Lyrically its very cheeky and that's the Yungblud factor we have come to know and love. It is playful, slightly chaotic and undeniably catchy, the kind of track that will have crowds screaming every word back at him.

Zombie is a simply heartbreaking tune, and the video starring Florence Pugh as a nod to our nurses is even more so! The vocals on this song will cut you like a sharp knife on fire. It is vulnerable in a way that feels raw and unfiltered, reminding us why he connects so deeply with his audience.

The greatest parade is very Bowie x Placebo, and the guitars are stunning! There is a cinematic quality to it that makes it feel larger than life, almost like the soundtrack to a coming of age rebellion.

Change feels very bowie x queen. The drama, the scale and the vocal delivery make it feel like it belongs on a stadium stage with lights blazing and fists in the air.

Monday murder is very the cure x Morrissey. There is a brooding undertone that runs through it, balancing melancholy with sharp lyricism.

Ghosts feels very AC/DC, U2 Bowie and Queen, the vocals are absolutely stunning as well as the more mellow guitars. It feels reflective and expansive at the same time, giving listeners a moment to breathe within the chaos of the record.

Fire sounds oasis x blur and the guitars are very punchy. It has that gritty, anthemic energy that makes it impossible not to move.

War sounds a little like Adam Lambert What do you want from me and a little like Lana Del Rey Video Games whilst the guitar intro sounds a little Avril Lavigne Complicated esque. The fusion of these references makes it both dramatic and emotionally charged.

Idols part 2 sounds very oasis in melody and bowie in vocals much like part one. It reinforces the sonic identity of the project, tying everything together cohesively.

the transition from idols part 2 to supermoon quite honestly needs to be studdied! this song sounds very bowie in vocals but melodically is very queen and early sir Elton john (Tiny Dancer Specfically)

part 2

I need you to make the world seem fine is a very slow and somber track where the vocals absolutely pop. It strips everything back and allows the emotion to take centre stage.

The postman features a reference to lovesick lullaby from part 1 which is just amazing as it connects both points and this is going to be absolutely electric live! The callback creates a sense of continuity, rewarding listeners who have been paying attention from the very beginning.

zombie (featuring the smashing pumpkins) is even more punk rock than the original and  the Yungblud and smashing pumpkins version of zombie has blessed our emo hearts! already a vocal moment and emotional song, the addition of the smashing pumpkins only solidifies that more!

time is vocally so strong ... if you were not awake before you certainly are now! what is also interesting about this track is whilst most previous tracks have reference to one of his "idols" earlier eras and sounds with this track it is reminiscent of an early Yungblud sound but with a modern day Yungblud twist, almost as if in this stage of the album finally he himself is the idol.

war was already such a fan favorite but part 2 goes even deeper so it will be interesting to see if this becomes the idols part 2 fan favorite or maybe even the favorite of this era entirely (my vote... it probably will)

blueberry hill is so full of layers! the track very much reminds me of Bowies life on mars with certain vocal moments as well as the melody and yet the drums sound more like heroes which is interesting as Yungblud literally sings the word Heroes!

suburban requiem is such a beautiful closing to this chapter. sounding almost reminiscent of hello heaven, hello melodically, it feels as if we have come full circle and when you think about it, we have! it is clear just how much care and thought was put into the craft behind this album and that's exactly why this record deserves to be spinning on your record player immediately!