The Back-Burner: Aerosmith Outtakes & Demos

After years of uncertainty, Aerosmith have surprised fans with a brand-new single, “My Only Angel,” in collaboration with YUNGBLUD. The track headlines the upcoming One More Time EP, set for release on 21 November 2025, and its arrival has sparked a wave of excitement, debate, and speculation that shows just how much this band still matters.

A triumphant return

The timing couldn’t have been more dramatic. On 17 September, Steven Tyler joined The Joe Perry Project onstage at the Hollywood Bowl, where they were opening for The Who. With Brad Whitford already part of Joe’s band, that meant three out of five Aerosmith members shared a stage together for the first time since 2023. Tyler and Whitford interacted warmly onstage, and even walked off together after “Train Kept A-Rollin’.” Before launching into that closer, Steven stopped the band and told the crowd about the “secret” they had been keeping for the last four months—a wink at the new collaboration, which also conveniently dates the recording sessions to May/June 2025 .

The very next night, 18 September, YUNGBLUD premiered “My Only Angel” live in Boston with a full band. Though he admitted he wasn’t feeling 100% and apologised that Steven and Joe couldn’t be there, he pointed out that this was Boston—Aerosmith’s home turf—and he delivered the new song with explosive energy. The symbolism was clear: the baton of rock spirit being passed across generations, in the very city where Aerosmith first lit the flame.

From studio spark to EP project

The project originally began when YUNGBLUD was planning to bring Steven and Joe in to guest on one of his own tracks. Joe Perry recalled: “A year ago, I got a call that YUNGBLUD wanted to come to Sarasota to work with me and write some songs and said, ‘Hell yeah, this guy’s got the juice.’ After four days in the studio, I called Steven and told him, ‘You have to hear this guy YUNGBLUD, he’s the real deal.’ Fast forward to May, and we’re in the studio with Steven recording new music. The result turned out to be an amazing collaboration between Aerosmith and YUNGBLUD. Let the music do the talking.”

Steven Tyler added his own perspective: “It was like plugging into pure electricity. For Joe and me, it was another cosmic collision to find ourselves in the studio with this outrageously talented and positively wild animal. Here’s this kid that lives his life out loud. He grew up on our records and the British invasion, and now we’re in the studio together creating something that bridges generations. The vibe in the room was epic from the start. We had a blast and were truly honoured to write with him.”

For YUNGBLUD, the collaboration was a dream fulfilled: “Aerosmith have been such a staple of rock and roll and showmanship for me, so I’ve been ready for this my whole life. As soon as we entered the studio, the chemistry exploded and the songs just poured out of us. It’s the kind of collaboration that young me wouldn’t even dream of; it is truly blowing my mind. Steven and Joe are at the top of their game, and working with them is a huge honour. I’m making records with my heroes.”

YUNGBLUD also confirmed in an Instagram Live that he paused part two of his own album to throw himself fully into the collab. Fans quickly pieced together the tracklist from the Island Records store:

1. My Only Angel
2. Problems
3. Wild Woman
4. A Thousand Days
5. Back in the Saddle (2025 Mix)

Recording seems to have taken place in Florida, where Steven and Joe were based mid-year, and fans even connected the dots with Tom Hamilton’s delayed Close Enemies schedule. Photos of Lenny Kravitz in the mix fuelled speculation that he too may appear as a guest or in follow up projects.

Sound and style

Musically, “My Only Angel” is a hybrid—Steven’s unmistakable vocal presence paired with Joe Perry guitar textures that recall his solo tracks like “We Still Have a Long Way to Go” (2009) and his more recent “Quake.” YUNGBLUD adds urgency and contemporary flair, while producer Matt Schwartz ensures a polished sheen. The drum sound is credited to Matt Sorum, who shared a reel from the sessionsmy only angel comments. This has raised questions about Joey Kramer’s absence, but considering his health struggles and long silence, many believe Joey has effectively retired from performance. Still, as his last public interview hinted, “he has more to say.” Respectfully, it looks like Sorum is carrying the stick work for this project, and doing so with power.

Yes, Steven’s vocals are sometimes heavily processed, with tuning evident in parts—but that’s modern production, not a replacement for talent. What matters is that at 77 years old, after a larynx fracture and a retirement scare, Steven is still hitting remarkably high notes and sounding like himself. That alone feels like a victory, and hearing him belt over new material is electrifying.

The debate: who’s really on the record?

The single’s release week brought a swirl of conflicting reports. Billboard claimed all five members were involved, while Forbes speculated this could be a pivot to bigger farewell plans. In contrast, Eddie Trunk said Brad Whitford told him at the Bowl show that he wasn’t involved and didn’t know much about it, implying this first single was essentially Steven and Joe with YUNGBLUD.

That leaves a tantalising question: are Brad, Tom, and Joey absent entirely, or might they appear on the other new tracks, or preserved in the “Back in the Saddle (2025 Mix)”? The EP liner notes in November will finally settle this debate. Until then, speculation is fuel—and fans are debating passionately across forums and socials.

It’s worth remembering that this isn’t new territory. Aerosmith has long bent the “five guys in a room” myth. Deuces Are Wild featured Jim Vallance on all instruments with Steven and Joe overdubbing. Get Your Wings solos came from session guitarist Dick Wagner. What Kind of Love Are You On and Lay It Down used loops instead of live drums. Even in the 80s, the “Walk This Way” remake was only Steven and Joe with Run-D.M.C. credited as Aerosmith. Flexibility in the studio has always been part of how Aerosmith gets songs over the line.

Reaction: fans, charts, and cross-pollination

Fan reaction has run the gamut. Some old-schoolers grumble about “polish” or about YUNGBLUD’s involvement. Others are ecstatic to hear Steven’s voice alive in 2025, calling it “absolutely incredible” and “mind-frickin’ blown.” A younger crowd has embraced the song as their entry point into Aerosmith, while Aerosmith diehards are dipping into YUNGBLUD’s back catalogue for the first time.

There’s also something tangible to celebrate: fans noted that “My Only Angel” briefly hit No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes chart during release week—“another #1 of sorts” for Aerosmith’s name. That’s real momentum, and proof the song is reaching ears beyond the diehard faithful.

Looking ahead

Speculation is running hot. Could there be more singles? Surprise live appearances? A Bludfest 2026 “icon” headliner slot, as YUNGBLUD has teased? Maybe even a short chain of final Aerosmith shows? None of it is confirmed, but all of it feels possible now that the band’s name is pulsing in the charts again.

For now, what matters is this: Aerosmith have a brand-new single, fans are talking, charts are moving, and Steven and Joe look happier and more energised than they have in years. “My Only Angel” doesn’t erase the classics—it adds another chapter. And it proves the dream isn’t over just yet. One more time.

Couldn’t resist putting together a full-band cover of “My Only Angel” to celebrate this moment.

We’ve got one more mix on the way with an extra layer of vocals — if you’d like to jump in and be part of it, reach out via a comment or DM on Instagram!