Dominic Harrison — better known to millions as YUNGBLUD — has once again proved that rebellion never goes out of style. After earning multiple GRAMMY nominations earlier this year, the Doncaster-born artist has now been crowned Rock Sound’s Best British Artist of 2025, marking a defining moment in his rapidly ascending career.

This latest honor cements YUNGBLUD not only as one of Britain’s most electrifying performers but also as a cultural force reshaping what modern rock can be. From sold-out arena tours to viral performances and heartfelt activism, his journey has become a rallying cry for a new generation of rock fans hungry for authenticity and chaos in equal measure.

From Yorkshire to the World

It’s been nearly a decade since a 20-year-old YUNGBLUD burst onto the scene with 21st Century Liability (2018), a defiant debut that positioned him as the voice of disaffected youth. Songs like “Polygraph Eyes” and “I Love You, Will You Marry Me” introduced a wild blend of punk energy, political urgency, and emotional candor.

Over the years, he’s refined that formula into something bigger — and louder. Albums like Weird! (2020) and his self-titled YUNGBLUD (2022) carried his trademark angst but added layers of stadium-ready hooks and Britpop swagger. In 2025, that evolution reached full bloom with Idols, a record that merges the attitude of punk with the melodic richness of British rock’s golden age.

The album’s lead single, “Zombie”, earned him a GRAMMY nomination for Best Rock Song, solidifying his place among today’s global rock elite. “I wanted to write something that sounded like chaos but felt like healing,” YUNGBLUD told Rock Sound earlier this year. “Rock should always punch you in the face — but it should also hold your hand.”

Rock Sound’s Verdict: A New Kind of British Icon

Rock Sound’s annual awards celebrate artists who push boundaries, and YUNGBLUD’s win feels both inevitable and revolutionary. In their statement announcing the award, editors praised him for “redefining British rock for a digital generation without losing its rebellious soul.”

“YUNGBLUD represents what British music has always stood for — guts, individuality, and a refusal to bow to expectation,” the magazine said. “He’s loud, emotional, and impossible to ignore — everything a rock star should be in 2025.”

This accolade joins a long list of recent triumphs: a viral Black Sabbath tribute at Download Festival, an MTV Europe Music Award nomination, and a sold-out world tour that’s seen him headline arenas from Tokyo to Los Angeles.

But beyond the accolades, it’s YUNGBLUD’s connection with his fans — affectionately dubbed “the Black Hearts Club” — that defines his success. Through social media, meet-ups, and spontaneous street performances, he’s cultivated a community that feels more like a movement than a fandom.

The Sound and the Spirit

Musically, YUNGBLUD’s 2025 output marks his most ambitious work to date. Idols channels influences from David Bowie, The Verve, and Black Sabbath, fusing nostalgic British rock textures with futuristic production. Critics have hailed it as a bold, cinematic experience — an album that belongs as much in sweaty clubs as in sold-out stadiums.

Tracks like “Love Is a Weapon” and “Idols (We Don’t Need Heroes)” explore themes of self-liberation and defiance against conformity, set to soaring guitar riffs and anthemic choruses. His collaboration with Florence Pugh on “Zombie” — which features orchestration by the London Philharmonic Orchestra — showcased his flair for theatricality while keeping his punk roots intact.

In a year where pop and electronic genres dominate global charts, YUNGBLUD’s sound is both a throwback and a revolution. “Rock isn’t dead,” he shouted during his Glastonbury set in June, “you just stopped listening!” The crowd’s roar that followed was proof enough that he’s tapped into something real — a hunger for emotion, rebellion, and noise.

A Voice Beyond the Music

Part of YUNGBLUD’s enduring appeal lies in his fearlessness offstage. He has never shied away from discussing mental health, sexuality, or identity, often turning his platform into a safe space for self-expression. His activism — from supporting LGBTQ+ rights to campaigning for mental-health awareness — has earned him praise from both fans and advocacy groups.

“I don’t want to just make songs,” he explained in a recent interview. “I want to make people feel less alone. That’s the real revolution.”

His style, too, reflects that ethos — blending glam flamboyance with street-punk grit. Whether he’s donning eyeliner and combat boots or strutting in a Union Jack jacket, YUNGBLUD continues to embody rock’s timeless spirit of self-creation.

The Year Ahead

With Rock Sound’s Best British Artist title now added to his growing legacy, YUNGBLUD shows no signs of slowing down. His Revolution World Tour kicks off in February 2026, spanning 17 countries and featuring rising acts like WILLOW and The Hunna.

Rumors are also swirling about a live collaboration with Ozzy Osbourne, following their surprise on-stage jam at the Birmingham “Black Sabbath Tribute Night” earlier this year — a performance that set social media ablaze and earned millions of views within hours.

Industry insiders hint that YUNGBLUD is also working on a new documentary chronicling the making of Idols and the creative chaos behind his tour, expected to premiere on Netflix next autumn.

A Rebel Crowned

As the lights dimmed at Rock Sound’s 2025 Awards ceremony, YUNGBLUD’s acceptance speech was characteristically raw and unfiltered.

“This is for every kid who’s been told they’re too loud, too weird, too different,” he shouted, trophy raised high. “Don’t let them silence you. The revolution isn’t coming — it’s already here.”

With that, the 28-year-old artist proved once again that his story is not just about music, but about defiance, connection, and the enduring power of rock.

As he continues to bridge the gap between generations, genres, and ideals, YUNGBLUD stands as a reminder that British rock is far from over — it’s just getting started.