Check out what YUNGBLUD said about Eddie Vedder, his collabs with The Smashing Pumpkins, and how his rock sound is evolving.
In the past few months, YUNGBLUD has really solidified himself as one of the most influential voices in modern rock, not just through his own music but also by teaming up with artists from different generations. After a huge 2025 — dropping the album Idols, an EP with Aerosmith, and shows that got him mad attention across the rock world — the British rocker kicks off 2026 with new creative paths on the horizon.
The Eddie Vedder Connection: Wanna Write Together
During a recent chat on the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast, YUNGBLUD opened up about personal stuff and professional life, including his bond with rock legends. Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam’s frontman, came up — YUNGBLUD shared he got on stage with Vedder at a private gig last December and really vibed with him.
“Eddie’s such an inspiration to me, especially vocally. I think we might write together in the future” YUNGBLUD said, showing not just respect but real interest in creating music with the Pearl Jam icon.
Their link is even tighter thanks to producer Andrew Watt, who’s worked with Vedder on his solo album Earthling, with YUNGBLUD on his recent tracks, and also produced Pearl Jam’s latest, Dark Matter, recording it in just three weeks to keep it raw and spontaneous.
And it doesn’t stop there. YUNGBLUD is currently working on the second part of the album Idols, which will be produced by Andrew Watt and will take on a rawer, more “live” sound – drawing stylistic cues from bands like Nirvana and Stone Temple Pilots, with musical influences inspired by David Bowie.
A Career on the Rise: Idols and Big Collabs
2025 was a big one for YUNGBLUD. His album Idols crushed charts, showing off his range across punk, alt-rock, pop, and hard rock, with lyrics and performances full of emotion.
On top of that, his collabs with legendary artists kept stacking up: the EP with Aerosmith (One More Time) dropped in November 2025, and he’s shared the stage and studio with icons like Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.
Zombie Reborn: Smashing Pumpkins Collab
One of the most exciting moves recently was the single Zombie from Idols, already a standout track. Originally the third single in May 2025, Zombie snagged a Grammy nod for Best Rock Song.
Earlier this year, YUNGBLUD released a fresh version of the track with the legendary Smashing Pumpkins. This new take, dropped in early 2026, marks the first time Billy Corgan’s band joined an external artist, giving one of YUNGBLUD’s most intense songs a deeper, darker sound.
The new version hits harder, with Pumpkins’ instrumental and vocal contributions taking the track to another level.
From hinting at a collab with Eddie Vedder, to revamping Zombie with the Smashing Pumpkins, and sharing producer Andrew Watt with Pearl Jam, YUNGBLUD is clearly bridging classic rock and modern energy.
As he preps for Grammy noms and a global tour, the British rocker keeps building connections across eras, staying true to his sound, his raw expression, and his love for music legends.
Born in Reggio Emilia in 1980. He created pearljamonline.it in 2001 and wrote the first edition of “Pearl Jam Evolution” in 2009 along with his wife Daria. Since 2022, he is behind 2 podcasts: “Pearl Jam dalla A alla Z” and “Fuori Orario Not Another Podcast”. He has collaborated with Barracuda Style, HvsR, Rolling Stone, Rockol and Il Fatto Quotidiano. He continues relentlessly to try to find “beautiful melodies that say terrible things”.
Favorite song: Present Tense
Favorite album: No Code
Favorite bands/artists other than PJ: Tom Waits, Soundgarden, Ramones, Bruce Springsteen, IDLES, Fontaines D.C., Mark Lanegan, R.E.M., Radiohead, Cat Power, Dead Kennedys