Ryan Hemsworth Returns to Guitar Music on Numbskull
Ryan Hemsworth’s first solo album in eight years draws on punk, emo, and shoegaze while retaining some of his trap beats and melodic touches. The Canadian producer recorded with guest vocalists and played guitar and bass prominently, making a record that feels more rock-oriented than his recent work. The album reflects changes in his life, including raising two children.
Numbskull is Hemsworth’s first solo album since Elsewhere eight years earlier. In between, he worked with Shalom, released collaborative material as Quarter-Life Crisis, and toured in Bodysync; he also became a parent to two children. The Topshelf release arrives in 2026 and includes vocals from Tegan and Sara, Sarah Tudzin, and MSPAINT’s Deedee.
Hemsworth plays guitar and bass across the record, which mixes punk, emo, and shoegaze with limited trap beats and melodic elements. Tracks range from pop-punk and jungle-influenced production to metalcore-style vocals and near-industrial bass, while still reflecting his beat-making background.
Numbskull could matter most to listeners who followed Hemsworth’s electronic work and to fans of guitar-driven punk, emo, and shoegaze. Its hybrid approach may invite crossover between those audiences, and his reflections on parenting could resonate with artists balancing family and creative work. Because the album is a niche release, its broader social impact is likely modest, though it may encourage genre-blurring conversations among music fans.