Ryan Hemsworth Shares Nana Lourdes Single
Producer Ryan Hemsworth previews his first solo album in eight years with 'I Missed You More,' featuring Nana Lourdes.
Ryan Hemsworth has released a new single, "I Missed You More," featuring Portuguese psych-pop singer and producer Nana Lourdes. The song is the third preview of his upcoming solo album Numbskull, his first in eight years, which is set for release on October 21 via Topshelf Records.
According to a press release, the track underwent a significant evolution. Hemsworth stated he started the song with Lourdes aiming for a sound reminiscent of the Pains Of Being Pure At Heart but struggled to find the right arrangement. The producer says he tried approximately eight very different versions before landing on the final cut.
The Song's Evolution
Hemsworth's breakthrough came from cutting and sampling his original guitar part. This process evoked an early 2010s chillwave sound that he had been missing. The resulting song is described as a bleary, chopped-up, and deconstructed pop piece that retains melodic and emotional impact. Hemsworth praised his collaborator, calling Lourdes "a dream to work with" for her ability to quickly write infectious pop melodies and engineer parts perfectly.
Nana Lourdes reflected on the long journey to the song's completion. "Ryan and I started this a million years ago, and it's been through just as many versions since," Lourdes said. She expressed relief that this particular version was the one to be released, stating she was "grateful and honored to have been a small part of it."
The Upcoming Album
Numbskull marks Hemsworth's return to solo work after years focused on other projects. The adventurous, genre-agnostic Canadian producer, known since the early cloud-rap days, has recently been active as one half of the duo Bodysync and as a member of Gia Margaret's live band. The album will feature guest appearances from artists including Tegan and Sara and the band MSPAINT.
The album announcement last month was accompanied by two other singles. Those tracks were "One Step," featuring Sarah Tudzin of Illuminati Hotties, and "A Display Of Emotion," which Stereogum ranked as a favorite song of the week, placing at #2 right behind a song by Hemsworth's past collaborator Tinashe.
Recent Activity and Context
Ryan Hemsworth first emerged during the early cloud-rap era. His latest work continues his adventurous approach to production, blending and deconstructing pop influences. The release of "I Missed You More" follows the positive reception for "A Display Of Emotion."
The new single is now available for streaming. Fans can expect the full album, Numbskull, to arrive on the scheduled date in October.
