Three years after his BRIT and Emmy nominations, and a whirlwind journey that’s taken him from Eurovision to global stages, Sam Ryder returns with Heartland, his deeply personal and long-awaited second studio album, out today.
If his debut There’s Nothing But Space, Man! introduced the world to Ryder’s powerhouse voice and radiant optimism, Heartland dives into something more grounded,the sound of an artist who’s lived, lost, learned, and come home to himself.
“The creation of this album came along at a time where my light felt like it was dimming the most,” Ryder shares. “Each song marks a pivotal moment of transformation and change in my life. One thing has stayed constant though — a thread of hope keeping this project alive and my head above water.”
Written between the UK and Nashville, Heartland is a stunning fusion of Ryder’s soulful vocals and cinematic production, what he calls ‘Frontier Soul’.
The record weaves together influences from old Westerns, classic Hollywood scores, and timeless soul, creating a sound that’s both nostalgic and new.
Across 13 tracks, including White Lies, OH OK, Armour, and Better Man, Ryder explores resilience, reflection, and renewal. Each song feels like a chapter in a story of rediscovery — the soundtrack to finding light after the storm.
The album’s collaborators read like a roll call of modern pop craftsmanship: Mikky Ekko (Rihanna, Teddy Swims), Steve Mac (Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber), Mike Elizondo (Gwen Stefani), and Jon Green (James Bay) among others, helping craft a record that’s emotionally rich and sonically expansive.
Released ahead of his biggest headline show to date at London’s Wembley Arena on 6 November, Heartland marks a new era of creative freedom for Ryder, one that sees him embrace independence with authenticity and heart.
Before then, he’s bringing it all back to where it began, performing intimate acoustic sets in independent record stores and HMV locations across the UK as part of his sold-out Road To Wembley Tour.
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