Canadian singer-songwriter Leith Ross is glimpsing into the future with fans ahead of the release of their sophomore album, “I Can See the Future.”  

Following their debut album “To Learn,” released in 2023, Ross describes this project as a continuation of their signature introspective themes amid dreamy soundscapes, while also exploring new production possibilities. The record digs deep into our place in the world as well as into who we are on the inside –– themes that could resonate deeply for Vanderbilt students as they grow into those versions of themselves throughout their college years. 

“‘To Learn’ was definitely a coming-of-age record for me,” Ross said. “I’ll never let go of my nostalgia; I’ll always be writing songs about getting older and my life changing. ‘I Can See the Future’ feels like an older sibling to that record.” 

In a roundtable interview put on by °1824, part of Universal Music Group, Ross answered questions in a way similar to how a friend would on an intimate FaceTime call. It was a chance for fans, many who were all fellow college students, to know Ross as an artist and hear their thoughts on their latest work. 

Developing the album 

After brief introductions from Leith Ross themself and the interview attendees, Ross was asked about the name “I Can See the Future,” which is also the title of the final song –– described by Ross as the “beating heart” of the album. 

“Half of the album is about me and my interpersonal relationships, and half is about the world and my place in it,” Ross said. “[The title] represents my believing in the future, in my own life and a deep understanding of myself.” 

Ross was asked about the ideal atmosphere for the album to be played in and what physical landscape would complement the soundscape. They answered that their ideal listening environment would be one containing both movement and reflection. 

“You’re on a bike, by yourself; there’s a cool breeze, and you’re looking back on your whole life and considering the whole world and what it means,” Ross said. “Anything that lends itself to feeling the fullness of nostalgia and wonderment, thinking about the past and the future to the full extent that you can.” 

Personally, I could see this album being perfect for a long walk to class or around Centennial Park on a fair-weathered day, ruminating on the deep questions that this album dives into. 

Diving into the tracks 

As far as the individual songs on the album go, Leith Ross had thoughts on how the released singles fit into the album’s themes as a whole. 

“Grieving,” the opening track, was released in May of this year. 

“’Grieving’ is the oldest song on the album,” Ross said. “I wrote it many years ago. I was experiencing a large grief for the first time in my life, and that changed me artistically and as a person. It made me think about the way I’m living and the way I’m loving people, and if that needed to change.” 

The idea of how humans love others, especially in terms of finding community, is a major idea running through “I Can See the Future.”  

This theme is central in “Stay,” the most recent single, which contains the lyric “I cannot be human alone.” This sentiment came from an epiphany Ross had while working on the project. 

“I had the intense remembering that I am never the only person who has experienced something. The concept of being human wouldn’t work without humanity, which includes everybody else,” Ross said. “Right now, in the world we live in, especially in the West, we’re not used to going out and seeking community. We’re taught that individuality is the order of the day. I’ve been trying to learn to fight back on that and make being a good community member a part of my day.” 

Ross expressed that “Alone” was the track they had the most fun writing, while “I Will” took some time to nail down the production. Both speak to the experiences of growing into yourself as a person, perfect for the coming-of-age era college students are in. 

“I wrote ‘Alone’ from a feeling that I really liked, so I have such a positive memory of writing that song. It’s about the realization that no person you know, or ever will know, will ever know every version of you but yourself. When you’re a friend to yourself, it feels so deep and important,” Ross said. “There were a bunch of different versions of [“I Will”], and I’m super happy with what we settled on.” 

During the interview, Ross and their team had a special treat for the attendees: they held an exclusive first listen of “Point of View,” one of the tracks on the album that has not been released yet. 

The album closer and title track is one that Ross sees as tying together the project and its themes into a cohesive listening experience for fans. It speaks to how the actions of today, especially by young people just starting to carve out their places in the world, have the opportunity to influence tomorrow.  

“’(I Can See) The Future’ is written from the perspective of a person living hundreds or even thousands of years from now in a world that I’m fighting for right now,” Ross said. “It’s an homage to the fact that that future will happen; it’s bigger than me and beyond me.” 

When asked about predicting which track might be a fan favorite, Ross was a little less sure of seeing the future. 

“Sometimes I try to guess, but I’m never right,” Ross said. “I’m excited to see what resonates with people.” 

Philosophical songwriting 

Ross talked deeply about their songwriting process and how it is somewhat of a philosophical experience for them. 

“Writing music is very similar to trying to answer a philosophical question. The writing of it feels like an attempt to get to the bottom, and it feels good to ask even if you don’t get an answer. It’s participating in this deeply human experience and allowing human emotion to drive you,” Ross said. “Sometimes I have more [questions] when I finish than less, but I enjoy that feeling. I’ve always liked asking questions I’ll never have answers to.” 

These questions about the connection between humans and their strengths and weaknesses are a major theme that Ross has always felt at home writing about. 

“It’s almost a habit of mine, almost to my detriment. I’m a bit obsessive about trying to understand any kind of relationship,” Ross said. “I’m obsessed with trying to see others’ full humanity and know the big ‘whys’ about everything. It’s the way I’ve always been and a part of my everyday life.” 

Ross also had notes on the topic of deep understanding and catharsis, something Vanderbilt students looking at the world before them may be familiar with grasping. 

“I’ve never sat down to write a song; I exclusively write music when I’m experiencing a feeling so intensely that I feel that I have to. The songwriting itself comes pretty easily,” Ross said. 

Ross’ place in the world: past, present and future 

Ross gained many fans from their 2022 viral hit “We’ll Never Have Sex,” which cemented their place in the bedroom soft indie genre. Still, Ross tries not to let this song’s notoriety distract from continuing their artistry. 

“[The virality of “We’ll Never Have Sex,”] was a defining experience of my life and my career,” Ross said. “I try to divorce these capitalistic ideas of success from my art. I prefer to think of it as a beautiful moment of this deeply personal thing resonating with so many people.” 

“We’ll Never Have Sex,” and subsequently much of Ross’ other music, made an impact specifically in the queer community. When asked about the “cultural responsibility” they face from this demographic of fans, Ross shared thoughts on how they purposely separate their creative process from audience response and how that is what makes it more authentic. 

“Aside from accepting my general responsibility as a human being to be a good community member, what I’ve concentrated on is trying to write songs as honestly as possible from my own perspective,” Ross said. “Queerness for me goes way beyond identity; it’s a lens of the world. It’s a way of living that allows you to question everything and not just accept things for the way that they are. When I’m being true to that and writing music, it ends up resonating that I’m expressing sentiments that let people question the world in their own ways.” 

Leith Ross’ tour kicks off in October and makes a stop in Nashville at Cannery Hall Nov. 7. In the meantime, “I Can See the Future” drops Sept. 19.  

“I hope that [the album] feels hopeful,” Ross said.  “It’s an opportunity to feel a bunch of hard things, but in the end, be reassured that things will change and be better, even if we don’t get to see it.”