Idols: Overcoming A War Within

By: Lynn Beisheim

Yungblud. (2025). Idols [Album cover]. Capitol Records.

Only a few weeks ago, Dominic Harrison, also known as Yungblud, released his fourth studio album "Idols", and with that a world tour. This album marks a stylistic shift from his earlier work but still retains the emotional and deeply personal soul fans recognize. 

All aspects of the album, from the music to the lyrics to music videos are made to tell a story and express the hardship and emotional battles. What it takes to find yourself within heartbreak and loss, and with that, some of the most compelling expressions of modern-day rock. 

The release of "Idols" came with three new singles that really set the tone of the entire album. This album as a whole creates a world of self-reflection with an almost therapeutic sound.  The first single was “Hello Heaven, Hello” and it creates the feeling of personal calm, but at the same time confusion due to the repetition of the word “hello”. This first segment of the song feels dreamlike, due to his beautifully airy vocals and the sound of regret and pleading in his voice.  The song starts out with the lyrics: 

“... are you trying/ are you patient/ are you blind”

 truly emphasizing the idea of self-reflection within this conversation with the unknown.

Not too far into the nine-minute track, the genre shifts to a harder punk-rock sound, reminiscent of his earlier work.  He mentions moments from his past, and he plays off the idea of the type of upbringing that a person is raised in creates the morals they contribute to.

This segment is about realizing that you are not just your upbringing. Because of that, it is up to you to create your own morals and beliefs. This part gives the feel of an uphill battle many have faced while trying to create who they want to be.

Lastly, the final part of the song gives a retro vibe, sounding like a late 80s to early 90s rock/power ballad. Going off the themes of finding oneself, this segment feels like acceptance. Acceptance to not just yourself, but within life and all its hardships. Acknowledging the idea further, that you are more than just your past, and becoming your own person requires a lifetime of personal growth and change.

 To me all these parts tell a beautiful story of figuring oneself out and on top of that an outstanding start to an album like this.  The song has constant references to his past and present, and with the title of the song being “Hello Heaven, Hello” it can allude to the hope he has for the future, giving the listeners the same kind of hopefulness that it takes to improve one's self as well as the motivation to keep going through the challenges life can throw at you.  

The next standout single from the album is “Lovesick Lullaby,” which brings that classic Yungblud sound fans know well. The track follows someone simply trying to get through the day, while actively trying to find joyful mindfulness. It dives into themes of mental health, notably self-isolation, in the emotional aspect. Especially in the opening verses, which feel like a not-so-encouraging pep talk in front of a mirror.  

The song has a confessional tone, like he is explaining his day in life to someone. The chorus, 

“’Cause I, I wanna feel good emotions…” 

feels like a plea, as if he’s asking for advice on how to feel something real again. This hypothetical conversation becomes more abstract, directed at “the man,” who represents some kind of voice of reason or guide through this “lovesick lullaby.” 

The lullaby in question is the modern world of relationships, romantic and platonic. To me, this song calls out all the flaws of the modern dating world and how no one can really build true connections because they close themselves off in fear of what's to come. 

The middle verse of the song emphasizes this point; Yungblud describes it with the lines:

 “So let's keep things professional / I got things on my mind that my mind don't like / You look nice on the outside / You wanna go out tonight?” 

 These lyrics highlight the disconnect between surface-level attraction and deeper emotional readiness, just before the chorus kicks back in. 

That leads us to the last and latest single to be released for “Idols”.  This song is intense. Zombie is one of the most powerful songs I've ever heard from modern day rock.

The track explores physical deterioration, and the internal pleading to be loved by the people around you. To me, this song can allude to multiple things, from addiction and chronic illness to overall mental health struggles. This point is strongly emphasized in the second verse with the lyrics: 

“To fix my mind / I need time / but it's running out”. 

His vocals throughout the song and the whole album are nothing short of dominant and striking. This adds to the song’s meaning, a desperate plea for physical connection. The repetition of certain lyrics creates a feeling of despair.

As a listener, it almost mirrors our own perceptions of loss, making the song’s meaning deeply personal and different for everyone, in the most eloquent and breathtaking way. In my opinion, the last verse is the most powerful, with the lyrics…: 

“I don't know what I'll turn out to be / but you'll love every moment believe me...”. 

The amount of emotion expressed throughout the song is so beautiful it cannot be described in words. It is because of how personal yet diverse this song can be, is why the song is so influential and therapeutic. This song reinforces the album’s theme of emotional battles and the journey of finding yourself through heartbreak. 

Sometimes the biggest loss we can go through in our lives is the loss of ourselves. With this album expressing all the emotion and frustration that goes with it, it truly is a voice for the voiceless and creates the vision we all need to be reminded of at some point.

Given all the deeper themes and meanings this album holds, it's no surprise this album is called "Idols”. In all the good and the bad that life holds, we’re reminded that we can be our own idols, and maybe even someone else’s someday.  

Tracklist:

1. Hello Heaven, Hello

2. Idols Pt. I

3. Lovesick Lullaby

4. Zombie

5. The Greatest Parade

6. Change

7. Monday Murder

8. Ghosts

9. Fire

10. War

11. Idols Pt. II

12. Supermoon