YUNGBLUD, Idols Review

by Rudy Palma

There’s a quiet growth at the heart of Idols, YUNGBLUD’s latest and most vocally accomplished album to date. Long celebrated (and sometimes derided) for his explosive energy and chaotic edge, YUNGBLUD now offers something even more radical: restraint, control, and a deliberate deepening of his vocal craft. Coming from the days of distorted screaming for effect, he has found a wider expression for his voice. Let’s explore his vocal sonic identity that is today’s YUNGBLUD.

On Idols, YUNGBLUD’s voice becomes the album’s central instrument, no longer buried beneath studio sheen or theatrical affectation. Across the twelve tracks, his vocal performances are his expressive toolkit, balancing grit and tone. He’s dialed back the auto-tune, favoring instead the raw edges and organic articulation that showcase his natural timbre framed within Idols’ cinematic rock landscape.

“Hello Heaven, Hello” is a strong opening performance, blooming into a cathartic crescendo. YUNGBLUD displays a command of breath and phrasing, the whispered opening lines holding tension like coiled wire before releasing into a sweeping, harmony-laden climax. The use of chest and head voice builds the theatrical, but is grounded in musical hypnotism.

“Zombie” is a display of vocal smoldering tension. The melody is dirge-like, almost hypnotic, and YUNGBLUD resists the temptation to push. Instead, he leans into subtle inflection, letting pain bleed through quiet phrasing. The London Philharmonic’s lush string work only heightens the intimacy, with his voice weaving through the orchestration instead of dominating it—a mark of true vocal maturity.

“The Greatest Parade” has YUNGBLUD letting loose with open-throated belts laced with vibrato. The shifts between registers are smooth, his projection powerful with just the right amount of strain. This is his range on full display. “Change” and “War” have a strong rhythmic sensibility. “Monday Murder” furthers an 80s-driven setting. The vocals have effects, but do not mask his delivery and melodic tension with the vocal harmonies.

Idols is YUNGBLUD making his rock singing believable with his diaphragmatic support, improved fold closure, and disciplined breath control. His shift between vocal colors is emotive with breathy, crisp, and belted textures. For example, “Ghosts” reflects these timbres. The result is a grounded and authentic delivery that still carries his signature sound.

Idols is YUNGBLUD’s vocal redefinition. It’s a prime example of how authenticity resonates with fans; it’s the sound of an artist growing without giving in to genre trends. Vocally rich, emotionally resonant, and artistically evolved, this is YUNGBLUD’s voice at its finest.