Billy Idol, “Dream Into It.”

When your career spans nearly five decades, you’ve earned the creative license to do whatever you like. Dream Into It marks Billy Idol’s ninth studio album and his first new work in more than a decade. The timing and tone feel right for the New Wave and dance punk rocker who’s now a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee. The album is lyrically introspective and nostalgic, while offering a few current day musical nods.

The 69-year old sounds his age on the opening title track (which at north of five minutes is also the album’s longest), but the familiar deep voice still resonates. With striking self-reflection, he sings of his younger years, mistakes and triumphs. There’s a longing to feel the same way he did in the early days, living fast and on the edge.

“And the records spin/ As the soundtrack to my sins/ Baby I’m dying, dying to live,” he sings.

The record also tosses in a few surprises, like a duet with pop-punk princess Avril Lavigne. The song sounds like Billy Idol mashed up with Lavigne’s Let–Go-era sound, and the results are surprisingly good. The infectious anthem calls on listeners to “fight back like ’77” — presumably a reference to one of Idol’s first years as an artist. Their vocals meld well, and there’s a bouncy energy to the track.

“They show their teeth/ We kick them in,” the pair harmonizes before sideman Steve Stevens’ blistering guitar solo hits. Other contributors include thundering drummer Josh Freese (Foo Fighters, many others), and singer-songwriter Ella Vos (born Lauren Salamone).

Idol ventures into his past demons on “Too Much Fun,” a tale of drinking, drugs and death-defying accidents on and off stage. It’s a cheeky acknowledgment of a life lived and some of the moments that shaped his rebellious image—a decidedly different portrait than the musician making a cameo in the “Rockstar” commercial for Workday.

“They said ‘pick your poison’ so I drank every one/ I’ve had that fatal charm since I was young,” he sings.

The album’s best moment arrives on New Wave standout “John Wayne,” a collab with The Kills’ Alison Mosshart. Her smokey and gravely tone is the perfect counterpoint to Idol’s bassy one—that sounds an awful lot like Johnny Cash playing Nine Inch Nails.

Another legend, Rock Hall of Famer Joan Jett, joins in on mid-tempo rocker “Wildside.” The two look back on their early days (an ever-present theme on this album), while recognizing they can still get rowdy at an older age. The song includes two of Joan Jett’s Blackhearts, Dougie Needles and Kenny Laguna.

“Riding in the fast lane, baby/ I’m not slowing down/ I still got a wild side and sometimes/ It still comes out,” they sing.

“People I Love” is a classic ’80s rock song with a bit of New Wave sensibility; it’s the sort of sound that allows Idol to chew up the sonic scenery. Its ringing guitars would fit alongside the Psychedelic Furs on the “Pretty in Pink” soundtrack.

Love song “Gimme the Weight” offers a twist, detailing how Billy Idol fruitlessly sought fulfillment through drinks and drugs—but he found it in the arms of his love.

Billy “Johnny Cash” Idol returns on introspective power ballad “I’m Your Hero.” It opens with a dramatic choir-like a capella segment before turning into a bluesy rocker.

Album closer “Still Dancing,” referencing “Dancing With Myself,” declares that Billy Idol’s “got everything I need next to me” and that he’s found his happy ending. The guitars are actually a stronger callback to “White Wedding,” but the song plays like a reworked medley of his most popular material.

Follow writer Mike DeWald at mikedewald.bsky.social.