Ryan Hemsworth is a DJ/Producer from Halifax, Nova Scotia and he is definitely “coming up.‰” His sound combines bangin‰’ rap tracks, indie electronic songs and his own beats.

Hemsworth released his first physical album Guilt Trips this past Tuesday. He has remarkable musical talent and knows how to hustle. Hemsworth has been touring around the world for the past year and managed to compose, collaborate and compile an album while on the road. Most recently, he performed at U Street Music Hall with Cyril Hahn this past Wednesday.

Guilt Trips is incredible and I listened to it at least eight times this week. My favorite songs include “Small Lost,‰” “Still Cold‰” and “Avec Vous.‰” “Small Lost‰” features Sinead Harnett and “Still Cold‰” features the experimental-electronic savant, Baths. Every song has upbeat and downbeat moments with carefully placed pauses and unique samples. I was impressed by the earnest song, “Against A Wall,” which features Lofty 305. I have seen Lofty 305‰’s name pop up all over Twitter and I expect to see great things from him as well. I highly recommend Hemsworth’s latest release, and I encourage music nerds and plebs alike to follow his career.

Last May, my friends forced me to attend his show at The Social Club while I was studying abroad in Paris. I was hesitant to go because Ryan Hemsworth is an EDM artist. I always associate EDM with dub step and over-drugged teenagers. Turns out, EDM stands for electronic dance music and encompasses all sorts of genres. We listened to the openers and danced passionately. Something I noticed about French clubs is that no one actually dances. Young French people tend to stare at the overzealous Americans and sway nonchalantly.

When Ryan Hemsworth took the helm at the DJ booth I was ecstatic. I didn‰’t know anything about his discography, but he was sporting an Antwon skull shirt! Antwon is a fantastic San Jose rapper (whom I’ve written about in previous articles). I knew then that I could relate to Hemsworth because he supported one of my favorite artists.

Hemsworth played trap beats and potent electronic segments. Later in the evening, he yelled “This one‰’s for the white girls!‰” and blasted the Spice Girls over air horns. He danced and joked with the audience, I knew I would be searching for his Soundcloud after the show.

He put on an energetic set and mixed downbeat tunes with heavy trap-rap. I absolutely loved his show and I have been addicted to his “Diplo and Friends‰” mix on Soundcloud ever since.

When I saw him on Wednesday at U Street Musical Hall, I had very high expectations and I wondered if he was going to play tracks from the new album.

The opener, Cyril Hahn, played fairly formulaic tunes, but I hoped Ryan would come through to make the show worthwhile.

Hemsworth entered the stage and attendees looked on expectantly. I listened closely to see if I could recognize certain pieces from the album, but I struggled. Toward the end of the concert he played “Ryan Must Be Destroyed‰” from Guilt Trips. I enjoyed boogying to the hip hop and glitch-y sounds but it was not at all the same experience.

I suspect Hemsworth tailored his set for a “bro-ier‰” audience at U Hall. It did not have the same throwback and super-trap vibe. Needless to say, I had a great time dancing and goofing off with my friends.

If you are at all into electronic and/or rap music you need to go out and get Guilt Trips. It is a captivating album and you may forfeit sunlight to stay in and get spiritual with Ryan Hemsworth.