Country music has an abundance of rising stars that prove the genre’s future is in great hands. One of these artists at the forefront of the next generation is Avery Anna, taking the music scene by storm. In the beginning stages of her career, she has shown so many strengths on all fronts, including her vocals and writing. At just 21 years of age, Anna has expressed high emotional intelligence in her songs. This was made very clear in her sophomore album, let go letters, where she faces some complex subjects head-on and addresses them tastefully.
Each song on the project was inspired by a real-life situation that Anna’s fans shared through their “let go letters” sent to her. These experiences vary throughout the album, which makes Anna’s writing all the more impressive. She’s telling stories that aren’t necessarily true to her, but she can be a voice for many people who don’t feel like they have one. Even if someone didn’t send in a letter, this album serves as an opportunity to show listeners they aren’t alone, no matter what they’re going through.
Anna sets the tone with the opening track, “Love, Avery,” a letter to her fans. From this moment on, you know you’re in for an intense and emotional album. She explains what she learned through the process of reading the letters from her fans. She also discusses what she got from recording the songs and what she hopes listeners will get from listening. Anna also cries during the intro track, and it completely humanizes her. She doubles down on just how much this record meant to Anna and will undoubtedly mean a lot to her listeners.
Some of the hardships she sings about include eating disorders, breakups, depression, family issues, and so many more. Listening from front to back can be tough because of how deep some of these topics are. While it’s only 38 minutes in total, it will definitely leave you feeling sick to your stomach, reflecting on what these people are going through.
That is why it is essential that Avery Anna took this approach with the record. Yes, they’re difficult conversations but also incredibly important ones that must be had. Anna stepped up and brought light to them, ultimately giving listeners an outlet to let go. Music is so powerful because it has the ability to shut down the stress of the outside world; let go letters beautifully encapsulates that.
Before the record came out, it was easy to be skeptical. Usually, it is pretty easy to tell when artists aren’t directly writing about personal experiences or trying to tell someone else’s story. That’s not at the fault of anyone; it is just a lot harder to fully express emotions if they weren’t there to feel them directly. Put, it can be easy to see through, creating a tall task for Anna. Despite that, the Arizona native could step into her fans’ shoes and tastefully tell their story. She still manages to make the record feel completely authentic without overstepping any boundaries. Anna fully immerses herself into the shoes of the author of each letter, allowing her to establish her empathetic and yet soulful writing style.
Much of the project has a heavy Olivia Rodrigo influence through the vocals and writing, especially in the production. Songs like “Mr. Predictable” sound like they could’ve easily made their way onto Rodrigo’s SOUR record. As the song starts, it’s plaintive before the powerful electric guitar creates a charge that will punch you in the mouth. Anna shows offexcellent versatility not just on this track but through the entire record, between a gentle piano-based sound in songs like “depression” and ranging out to a much more upbeat and electric-based approach with songs like “GRAVE.”
That versatility is what allows Anna’s vocals to shine. It creates an opportunity for her to flex her range, from the rich warmth of her lower registered sound to her exceptional ability to belt just as well as anyone in country music. Overall, they feel so pure and effortless, allowing the album to feel fluid and relaxed through its 14 tracks.
A pair of voice memos on the album may have been late additions to the record, but they also serve as a kind of interlude, offering a moment of pause and intimacy. They’re about a minute apiece and the most stripped-down songs on the album, but they are also a highlight. These tracks build a connection with Anna, as it feels like you’re sitting in the room with her while she’s singing. While these two tracks are a small part of the project, they help take it to the next level. Both tracks are super raw and real, as they’re directly from the voice memo. They’re the perfect example that less can sometimes be more. They humanize the recording process, and it feels a lot more personal.
Since let go letters were released on the same day as Morgan Wallen’s I’m The Problem, they have inevitably been overshadowed, which is a shame because it’s easily one of 2025’s standout projects. This project’s heart-wrenching themes only further prove that Avery Anna is going to be an absolute star in the near future. Her emotional intelligence and ability to tackle such difficult conversations at such a young age are truly impressive. Anna used her platform and this record to remind anyone listening that they’re never alone in their struggles, no matter how daunting or personal they may be, leading to a truly beautiful record.
