Leith Ross’ I Can See The Future: A Simple Love, A Not So Simple Sound

I can see Leith Ross’s future, and it’s bright. The Canadian singer-songwriter has long been on an upward progression to the top of the indie folk scene, and their recent sophomore album, I Can See The Future, has only pushed them further in their climb. Although the album diverges from Ross’s typical slow, acoustic vibe and embraces a more upbeat, produced sound, their sincere and vulnerable lyricism remains the heart of their music.

Ross has never been one to shy away from an emotional gut punch, and their opening track “Grieving,” along with its penultimate reprise, is no exception. The original song features upbeat Scottish folk-inspired instrumentals, and the reprise features soft acoustic guitar, but both tracks share the same lyrics exploring anticipatory grief. This subject can be paralyzing and anxiety-inducing, but Ross comes at it with a stunning sense of groundedness. They explore an acceptance of death and the possibility of grief being a positive thing:

“Knowing how it ends / Can give another something birth / Gives another something terrible / Great roots inside the earth.”

The songs remind listeners that grief is one of the greatest acts of love, and we should care for the people around us with the intensity and forgiveness with which we grieve them. With just the opening track, Ross cements the lyricism in this album as some of the greatest they’ve produced thus far.

The new, bubbly sound continues on most of the album. The theme of finding some sort of bright side in the human struggle is woven through the album, and like “Grieving,” many songs with emotional lyrics are contrasted with an uplifting instrumental. Ross is not only experimenting with this new sound, but it seems that it adds another dimension to the meaning of their work. Their listeners can no longer simply wallow in the sadness of their lyrics; they must also find some sort of beauty in their struggle.

A highlight of the album, and an indicator of the success in Ross’s future, is the track “Stay.” The first minute and a half is reminiscent of Ross’s older acoustic sound, and then the song transitions into a groovy drum and electric guitar instrumental. A familiar voice joins Ross on background vocals—that of fellow musician Dijon. Listeners can almost feel the sun hit, the wine pour, the dancing shoes slip on during the second half of the track. This feature signals that Ross is serious about their new sound, as Dijon has been the mastermind behind the bright, layered sounds that have taken over music in 2025. From helping produce Justin Bieber’s newest album SWAG to releasing his own critically acclaimed record Baby, Dijon is one of the most influential musicians working today. Ross keeps good company, and it shows in their music.

Ross continues to center the simplicities of life in their lyricism, celebrating the little things with tracks like “I Love Watching You Eat Dinner” and “‘What Are You Thinking About.’” Ross doesn’t demand extravagance or sacrifice or constant excitement in love; they find joy in domesticity and peace in connection. These songs offer a simpler, jazzier sound—one that invites a deeper breath and produces an image of a barefoot slow dance in the kitchen. Ross balances the album’s newer sound with tracks that employ the sonic simplicity that original listeners might be tuning in for.

Ross swung for the fences and hit a home run with their sophomore record. They have music worth listening to and a future worth watching out for.