YUNGBLUD launches mysterious hotline, sparks fan theories

YUNGBLUD has been all for cryptic teasers lately. Last week, the singer launched what would later be revealed as a zoomed in version of his upcoming graphic novelThe Twisted Tales Of The Ritalin Club.

Now, he’s adding even more mystery to the situation by plastering a phone number online and across cities throughout the world.

Read more: Taco Bell to open resort with poolside tacos and Baja Blast

Fans were quick to upload images of the posters plastered across cities in Mexico, Germany, Australia and the United Kingdom. The images started to appear throughout the day, asking fans to dial 1-916-915-0BHC (or Broken Hearts Club).

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxuX23FFMlI/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxuzn46hARC/

A few hours later, YUNGBLUD re-shared a tweet from December with the side-eye emoji.

YUNGBLUD then shared the phone number to his social media, writing “somethings coming … call this number wherever you are – +1 (916) 915 0242 ??????”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxvC7LuA0bO/

Once dialed, haunting music plays for several seconds with laughter before YUNGBLUD begins a monologue—the same story from the aforementioned December tweet. However, at the end, he whispers “May 24.”

“I want to tell you a story. One day, my daddy put a gun to my head because he saw me kissing a boy. ‘If I ever catch you again, I’m gonna spread your little brains out over the pretty wall.’ So you know what I did? I woke up one night, tied him with tape and dragged him out of the house and locked him in the garden shed. Then, I cut a hole in the door and forced him to watch while I had sex with my best friend. Call back tomorrow for another story. May 24.”

You can view a fan’s upload of the message below.

YUNGBLUD sparks fan theories

As mentioned, the singer announced he’s teaming up with Z2 Comics for The Twisted Tales Of The Ritalin Club, which is set for an October 15 release. It’s unclear if the teaser he shared via the mysterious phone number is connected, but some fans thought it might be an excerpt.

https://twitter.com/peachyemo/status/1130908406875906049

Others thought it might be new music, specifically a track called “Parents” or “Parents Ain’t Always Right.”

https://twitter.com/madi_destefano/status/1130956060003569664

YUNGBLUD has been playing the track on his current run, which includes the line he delivers in his monologue. You can check out a snippet below, one of which is from The Parish in Austin May 8.

https://twitter.com/blackheartsbr/status/1124638361929617408

More on the upcoming YUNGBLUD graphic novel

YUNGBLUD revealed the full cover art Friday. The release is available in standard and deluxe editions, both of which have their own unique cover. The latter is limited to 1000 autographed copies and it includes three exclusive prints.

As if the novel isn’t exciting enough, both versions will also paired with an exclusive EP featuring new YUNGBLUD songs to coincide with the story. Check out the artwork below.

YUNGBLUD and Ryan O’Sullivan (Fearscape, Void Trip, Dark Souls) co-created The Twisted Tales Of The Ritalin Club. The duo is delivering an alternate universe where YUNGBLUD leads a Ritalin Club, and it takes place at Blackheart’s Boarding School. The synopsis reads as follows:

“From the messed-up mind of music sensation YUNGBLUD comes the Twisted Tales of The Ritalin Club. All pupils attending Blackheart’s Boarding School must be punctual, masked, and heavily medicated. The displaying of superpowers is strictly forbidden. Any pupils encountering YUNGBLUD or any member of his so-called “Ritalin Club” are to seek a teacher immediately. Failure to comply with any of the above rules will result in execution. DO NOT TRUST YUNGBLUD. DO NOT TRUST THE RITALIN CLUB. THEY MEAN YOU HARM.”

Read more: YUNGBLUD mixes Drake, Arctic Monkeys in soulful cover

YUNGBLUD brings his world to life on the pages of the novel with his ideology and fanbase, The Black Hearts Club, being represented by the boarding school’s moniker. As for the title and actual Ritalin Club mentioned in the synopsis, this is a call back to one of his tracks.

In “Anarchist,” YUNGBLUD sings, “I’m employee of the month at a Ritalin club/Yeah, why do you think I’m so messed up?” The track first appeared on his 2018 self-titled EP before hitting his debut full-length, 21st Century Liability, the same year.

As for Z2 Comics, they recently teamed up with Andy Black (The Ghost Of Ohio), BABYMETAL (Apocrypha The Legend of BABYMETAL), Poppy (GENESIS ONE: A Poppy Graphic Novel), Grateful Dead (Grateful Dead Origins) and more.

The Twisted Tales Of The Ritalin Club is set to release October 15, and the deluxe edition is available for preorder now on Z2 Comics’ website. The standard edition is available via Amazon in the U.S. and the U.K.

YUNGBLUD recently released his Live In Atlanta album, which you also have the chance to catch in person thanks to his vigorous touring schedule. The singer is currently on the road on a headlining run with several festival stops including a 25th anniversary Warped Tour show. Dates are listed below, and tickets are available here.

Dates:

06/14 – Vancouver, BC @ Venue
06/15 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos
06/16 – Portland, OR @ Holocene
06/18 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
06/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy Theatre
06/21 – Herber City, UT @ Bonanza Campout Music Festival*
06/23 – Dover, DE @ Firefly Music Festival*
07/03 – Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest*
07/05 – Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Blues Festival*
07/06 – Montreal, ON @ Club Soda
07/09 – Buffalo, NY @ Rec Room
07/10 – Pontiac, MI @ Pike Room
07/13 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
07/14 – Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival*
07/17 – Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre
07/19 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
07/21 – Mountain View, CA @ Vans Warped Tour*
*festival date

See more: 10 most iconic music video looks

[envira-gallery id=”186695″]