Words by Jaz Wilkins
2025 has marked a milestone year for YUNGBLUD’s music career. Kicking off the first half of the year with the announcement and release of his latest album, IDOLS, quickly followed up by his performance of “Changes” at Black Sabbath’s final ever concert, and went on to sell out an entire US tour for the first time in his career. However, YUNGBLUD is only just getting started within this new chapter. After a string of cryptic posts, followed up by a massive announcement across social media that a five song EP with Aerosmith titled One More Time would be released for the world to hear on November 21st, 2025. The project launched with its lead single, “My Only Angel,” which dropped worldwide at midnight on September 19th.
The four minute track starts off with a bang, with powerful vocals and layered harmonies from YUNGBLUD and Aerosmith frontman, Steven Tyler. Before long, guitarist Joe Perry makes his presence in the track known as he kicks off with an unmistakable Aerosmith sounding riff, allowing Tyler’s renowned raspy vocals to push through to the front of the mix. His vocals are drenched in delay-like sound effects while at the same time building up and becoming more raw and powerful, and sounding very much like traditional Aerosmith. The second verse rolls in quickly, with YUNGBLUD’s vocals taking centre stage. The vocal buildup in the second verse showcases the power behind his voice and how well it suits the rock and roll genre. As it continues, YUNGBLUD’s melody in the second verse sounds reminiscent of a track off of IDOLS titled ‘Ghost’, while blending it in seamlessly with Tyler and Perry’s musical style.
After two repetitions of the chorus, Perry comes back into the forefront with a brash guitar solo that feels both fresh yet familiar, showcasing that traditional Aerosmith grit while still feeling bold and new to the modern listener. As the track slowly begins to break down towards the end and finishes abruptly with another impeccable riff from Joe Perry, you cannot help but feel a wanting for more, like “My Only Angel” is just the tip of the iceberg while the rest of the EP remains a secret for the meantime.
While the collaboration might initially seem unexpected, it’s less surprising when you consider the history leading up to it. YUNGBLUD and Steven Tyler have been spotted hanging out together multiple times this year, with Tyler even appearing in the advertising for the Blood Vinyl variant of YUNGBLUD’s latest album. Both musicians also performed tributes at Back To The Beginning, the final ever concert hosted by Black Sabbath to commemorate the career and celebrate the retirement of the late and great, Ozzy Osbourne. YUNGBLUD’s youthful energy and fresh outlook on music mixed with Aerosmith’s legendary status in rock and roll will likely make this EP one of the biggest and most defining rock and roll releases of our generation. Beyond the music itself, the collaboration marks a major turning point in how we can honour traditional rock and roll music while reshaping, modernising, and bringing the genre to newer, younger audiences. For Aerosmith, this is a way for them to reaffirm and further cement their place within the history of the genre, but for YUNGBLUD, this release is a bold step further into rock and roll history, establishing himself as a bridge between modern-punk rock and classic, traditional rock music.
Looking ahead, speculation is swirling about whether YUNGBLUD and Aerosmith will take this EP to the stage. With YUNGBLUD’s second US tour being announced and Aerosmith’s legacy for legendary live performances, the idea of a handful of shows or even a shared festival slot definitely seems within reach. For now, fans will have to wait until November 21st to hear the full EP, but if “My Only Angel” is any indication, One More Time is set to be a landmark moment for both artists, and for modern rock as a whole.
Loudspeaker Collective 