In the midst of peak 2021-era pandemic misery, Ottawa-born, Winnipeg-based indie-folk singer Leith Ross offered a glimmer of light with their viral single “We’ll Never Have Sex,” a sweet snapshot of PG-13 romance that valued innocent first kisses over complicated coital relationships. That song’s whisper-in-your-ear candour permeates Ross’ confident full-length debut, To Learn, More, an emotionally intimate yet richly atmospheric collection that makes for a natural Canadian companion to 2023’s other beacon of dreamily tuneful, roots-tinged indie-pop: boygenius’ the record. Much like Phoebe Bridgers, Ross’ voice is both ethereal and assertive, infusing unadorned acoustic lullabies like “I Just Don’t Think That You Like Me That Much Anymore” with a melodic ease that sugarcoats their bitter sentiments, but laced with a hardened resolve that makes it feel like they’re delivering every line while glaring at you straight in the eye. That fearless attitude finds its most cathartic outlet in To Learn, More’s blood-pumping centrepiece, “Guts”, an equally anthemic and devastating track that finds Ross torn between seeking violent retribution on an abuser and fretting about breaking the news of his abhorrent behaviour to his mother.