To Learn

Leith Ross's 2023 debut full-length, To Learn, represents a refinement of the 'bedroom folk' aesthetic that first brought them viral attention. Following the massive success of the single 'We'll Never Have Sex,' the album expands on Ross's ability to articulate complex interpersonal dynamics with surgical precision and immense empathy. Recorded with a focus on 'dry' intimacy, the album avoids the reverb-heavy tropes of modern indie-folk in favor of a raw, immediate sound that highlights Ross's breathy vocal delivery and the tactile sounds of their acoustic guitar. Critics, including those at AllMusic, have noted the album's remarkable consistency and its role in providing a voice for asexual and neurodivergent experiences within the singer-songwriter tradition. The record functions as a cohesive narrative of self-discovery, moving from the isolation of '5am' to the weary but honest acceptance of the closing tracks.