Yungblud has started 2026 with a powerful creative move by teaming up with legendary alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. Together, they have released a new, darker, and heavier version of Yungblud’s song “Zombie.” The track was released worldwide at midnight on January 2, 2026, along with a music video showing both artists performing together.
The original version of “Zombie” first came out on May 30, 2025, as part of Yungblud’s fourth studio album, Idols. The song quickly became one of the biggest moments of his career. It was praised by critics, streamed over 100 million times, and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song. For many fans, “Zombie” stood out because of how honest and emotional it felt.
Yungblud has shared that “Zombie” is one of his most personal songs. He wrote it about his late grandmother, who suffered a serious injury that deeply affected her mental and emotional health. The song reflects feelings of watching someone you love slowly change, feeling helpless, and struggling with identity and loss. These heavy emotions are what gave the song its raw power from the very beginning.
The idea to collaborate with The Smashing Pumpkins came naturally. Yungblud has openly said that while writing “Zombie,” he was heavily inspired by the band’s classic 1993 album Siamese Dream. That album is known for blending soft, emotional moments with loud, aggressive guitar sounds — a balance that Yungblud felt matched the spirit of “Zombie.”
Because of that connection, Yungblud reached out directly to Billy Corgan, the frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins. He explained that he wanted to push the song further and make it feel even more intense. Corgan and the band agreed, and the collaboration moved quickly. Within about ten days, they recorded the new version and filmed the music video together in Chicago.
This collaboration is especially important because it marks the first time in The Smashing Pumpkins’ long career that they have officially appeared on another artist’s recording. That fact alone shows how much respect they have for Yungblud and his artistic vision.
Musically, the new version of “Zombie” is noticeably heavier. The guitars are louder and more distorted, the atmosphere is darker, and the emotional weight feels stronger. Fans and critics have described it as more aggressive while still staying true to the song’s emotional core. It feels like a meeting point between 1990s alternative rock and modern emotional punk-rock.
The release was teased through social media posts, showing behind-the-scenes clips and performance shots of Yungblud and The Smashing Pumpkins together. The music video adds another layer, visually capturing the intensity and connection between the artists.
This release also comes during a very busy time for Yungblud. Toward the end of 2025, he collaborated with Aerosmith on the EP One More Time, which debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard 200. That project helped push him further into the mainstream rock world while still keeping his rebellious edge.
Looking ahead, the new version of “Zombie” is expected to be a major moment on Yungblud’s upcoming live shows. His Australian tour in January 2026, his biggest tour so far, will likely feature the song as a highlight.