YUNGBLUD releases a new version of “Zombie” featuring The Smashing Pumpkins

Multi-platinum alternative rock/rapper YUNGBLUD has expanded his portfolio of high-profile collaborations, as per theprp. Having previously collaborated with Halsey, Travis Barker, members of Aerosmith, and Bring Me The Horizon, his latest project features a collaboration with the renowned alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins on a new rendition of his previously released single “Zombie.”

The original studio version of “Zombie” is currently a contender for ‘Best Rock Song’ at the 2026 GRAMMY Awards and is one of three nominations YUNGBLUD has received for that event. His other nominations include his recent album “Idols” for ‘Best Rock Album’ and his live cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes,” titled “Back To The Beginning,” for ‘Best Rock Performance.’

In an interview with Loudwire, YUNGBLUD reflected on this collaboration as a significant moment of artistic convergence. He noted that The Smashing Pumpkins’ 4x multi-platinum album “Siamese Dream” was a major influence during the initial creation of “Zombie.”

When I was making ‘Zombie,’ I was really channeling ‘Siamese Dream‘. It was really the sadness and the melancholic emotion mixed with the aggression of Billy‘s fucking guitars … Billy, as a songwriter, was really at the forefront of my inspiration when I was making this album. When ‘Zombie‘ came along, I knew I wanted to do a new version if it.

Regarding the collaboration with Corgan and the remaining band members on this track, YUNGBLUD provided a formal statement.

I called Billy and I was like, ‘Billy, please help me scratch this itch. I want this record to dig in harder.’ There still needs to be an almost Jekyll and Hyde element, there needs to be the version that’s full of light and full of life and optimism, but then there needs to be this dark version that is pessimistic and a little bit bitter and a bit aggressive.

An official music video for this revised version is scheduled to premiere online on Friday, January 2nd, at 10:00 am PST / 01:00 pm EST.