Yungblud has unveiled a heavier, more aggressive reimagining of his Grammy-nominated song “Zombie,” this time joined by The Smashing Pumpkins.
The new version builds on years of mutual admiration between Yungblud and Billy Corgan and pushes the emotional intensity of the original track even further. Yungblud has said the song was initially inspired by the moody textures and explosive guitar work of Siamese Dream, making the collaboration feel like a natural evolution.
According to Yungblud, he reached out to Corgan with the idea of creating a darker counterpart to the original song — one that leaned into bitterness, pessimism, and raw aggression while still preserving the hopeful version fans already knew. The result embraces a dual nature: light versus shadow, vulnerability versus force.
The respect between the two artists dates back years. Corgan previously praised Yungblud’s trajectory and later welcomed him onto his podcast after they crossed paths at major rock tribute events. Both musicians have described the collaboration as deeply personal, with Yungblud citing Siamese Dream as a formative album during his youth.
Corgan, in turn, said the band was eager to bring their distinct sonic voice to a song inspired by their own work, framing the collaboration as a creative exchange rooted in honesty and artistic truth.
The Pumpkins-assisted version marks the third incarnation of “Zombie.” The song first appeared on Yungblud’s album Idols, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song. An acoustic version followed last month, highlighting the song’s emotional core.
Written in memory of Yungblud’s late grandmother, “Zombie” remains one of the most personal tracks in his catalog. The artist is set to resume touring in support of Idols beginning January 10, with dates across Australia, Europe, and North America.
SOURCE: Loudwire
