Yungblud has kicked off 2026 with a striking new creative statement, unveiling a collaboration with alternative rock icons The Smashing Pumpkins on a reworked version of his Grammy-nominated song “Zombie.”
The new rendition — described as darker and heavier than the original — was released worldwide at midnight on January 2, 2026, accompanied by a music video that finds Yungblud and The Smashing Pumpkins performing together.
Originally released on May 30, 2025, “Zombie” is taken from Yungblud’s critically acclaimed fourth studio album, Idols. The track earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song and quickly became one of his most streamed solo singles, amassing over 100 million plays.
Yungblud has explained that the song was deeply personal from the start. It was written about his late grandmother, who experienced serious injury and emotional decline, and grapples with themes of loss, deterioration and self-identity.
The collaboration with The Smashing Pumpkins wasn’t random — Yungblud says the group’s 1990s sound was one of the inspirations behind the track’s creation. In interviews, he explained that while making “Zombie,” he was “really channeling Siamese Dream” — the influential Pumpkins album known for its blend of melancholy and aggression.
Because the original song’s emotional core already nodded to that aesthetic, Yungblud knew there was potential to revisit it in a way that leaned into that mood. “I called Billy [Corgan] and was like, ‘Please help me scratch this itch,’” he said, hoping to create a version that dug deeper and embraced a more intense, emotional weight. Corgan and the band signed on, recording the new track and shooting the video with Yungblud in Chicago within about ten days.
Billy Corgan’s participation adds a historic layer: this marks the first time in The Smashing Pumpkins’ storied career that they’ve appeared on another artist’s recording, a fact that underscores the respect they have for Yungblud’s work.
Fans and critics alike have described the new version of “Zombie” as significantly heavier than the original, leaning into distorted textures and guitar work that reflect both The Pumpkins’ signature sound and Yungblud’s emotional intent. The track’s release was teased through posts on social media, showing moments from both artists in performance and announcing the music video’s arrival.
The collaboration arrives during a particularly busy period for Yungblud. In late 2025 he teamed with Aerosmith on the EP One More Time, which debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 — marking a significant crossover achievement for both acts.
Looking ahead, the new “Zombie” version is expected to become a highlight of Yungblud’s upcoming tour dates, including his Australian tour beginning in January 2026 — his largest to date.
For many fans, the partnership between Yungblud and The Smashing Pumpkins represents a bridging of generations: a young rock artist inspired by a legendary band, now creating new music with them — a collaboration that reflects both reverence for rock history and a forward-leaning creative vision.
