Sam Ryder looks back: ‘I thought I should put a smile on my face, no matter how I felt'
The singer-songwriter on growing up as an outsider, the arrogance of youth and his Eurovision odyssey
www.theguardian.comHere’s the latest I can confirm based on recent public reporting:
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Sam Ryder has been pursuing a more independent path since parting with a major label, including new music and projects announced in 2025 and 2026, with coverage noting his move to Nashville and plans around new releases [independent coverage: Independent, ITV, BBC and others referenced below]. This marks a shift from his Eurovision-era major-label phase to broader self-directed work [Independent article from 2025-03-21][ITV News 2025-04-07][BBC piece 2025-10-22].
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In 2025 he released new singles and an EP, and in late 2025 his second studio album Heartland was released with a subsequent UK tour, signaling a refreshed phase in his career [Wikipedia snippet 2025-03-09; Independent 2025-03-21; ITV 2025-04-07].
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He has also been involved in high-profile live performances and projects outside traditional chart pathways, including stage work and charitable/special performances, as part of continuing public visibility [BBC coverage and ITV features in 2025] .
If you’d like, I can pull the most current headlines from reliable outlets and summarize them with dates and sources. I can also set up a quick daily digest if you want ongoing updates. Please tell me your preference and whether you want only UK-focused coverage or global results.
Citations:
- Independent (interview and path after major label) [2025-03-21][3]
- ITV News (new album path and projects) [2025-04-07][6]
- Wikipedia/General timeline (Heartland release and tour) [2022-03-09, updated 2025 data][2]