Track-by-Track: Leanne Wilkins & The Weathered Break Down ‘The Art of Letting Go’

Seattle-based rock and soul band Leanne Wilkins & The Weathered have unveiled The Art of Letting Go, exploring the diametrically opposed yet intertwined themes of shadow and light, grief and healing, and death and rebirth—capturing the cyclical nature of human experience across eight poignant tracks.

For lead singer-songwriter Leanne Wilkins, the long-anticipated full-length album also symbolizes a very personal kind of rebirth and marks a powerful return to songwriting for her after admittedly struggling with creative blocks for several years. Written primarily on piano, Leanne’s first musical love, she opens a window into her internal battles, grieving the death of her younger sister, processing her complex family dynamics, and facing confusion while transitioning into new motherhood during the early pandemic’s time of great societal upheaval. Leanne also touches on the profound experiences and connections that guided her to pursue her artistic calling.

The Art of Letting Go blends intimate storytelling with lush arrangements, drawing from the golden age of 1970s rock and modern soul sensibilities. Some of the tracks delve into themes of emotional surrender, generational trauma, and the fractured state of American culture. Others, like “Free Spirit” and “Light in the Darkness,” offer hopeful anthems for transformation and resilience.

Leanne Wilkins joins us for a special Track-by-Track rundown of The Art of Letting Go and guides us through the deeply personal subject matter that inspired each song’s creation.

1. “Another Life”

“The record kicks off with a track that explores some R&B and soul influences, an exciting new territory for The Weathered. The production gives ‘Another Life’ a heart-warming, intimate vibe reminiscent of Norah Jones, Otis Redding, and Bill Withers. I envision the warm, vintage tones wrapping the listener in a warm blanket, soothing their bygone heartache. Shout-outs to Josh Tvrdy (guitar) and Tim Kennedy (Hammond B3) for contributing the special touches to this track!”

2. “Push & Pull”

“This track is probably the most esoteric in subject matter, but I think many people can relate to the complexities it speaks to about the human experience. The album title is taken from a line in the final verse: ‘Tonight I’ve come to know / the art of letting go.’ Letting go and trusting the natural unfolding of life is a common theme throughout the entire record. Huge props to Robb Davidson (recording and mixing engineer) for making this track so powerful and soul-stirring.”

3. “Alt-Reality”

“This song calls for greater compassion and unity in response to the widening division in American society. While the song was first released as a single during the 2024 election season, I continue to feel passionate about the song’s meaning and relevance. It was especially fun to have Charlie Smith (synth) join us on this track. His synth part in the outro really brought the energy to the next level!”

Leanne Wilkins & The Weathered ‘The Art of Letting Go’ album artwork

4. “Free Spirit”

“This song was inspired by my sister, who passed away years ago after a battle with cancer. She was the most free-spirited person I’ve ever known, and while I often lived vicariously through her adventures in years past, I’ve learned to embrace more of her carefree approach to life. I’ll never forget the first time I got in a rehearsal room with the band and we played ‘Free Spirit’ together – I was just moved. Thank you to Clint Hoyler (bass) and Ben Loshin (drums) for breathing life into this track.”

5. “Light in the Darkness”

“I think every parent and caregiver has worried at times about their ability to protect their children from the negative forces in the world. I wrote ‘Light in the Darkness’ about the questions I wrestled with as I became a mother during the pandemic, at a time when our country was deeply divided, and acts of violence and hate were rampant. It’s a song about believing in love and holding hope that my daughter and future generations will be a positive force in the world.”

6. “Daughter”

“Shortly after I became a mother, I wrote ‘Daughter’ as a reflection on my fractured relationship with my own mother and my intentions to overcome generational patterns. Writing this song allowed me to alchemize raw, emotional pain into the pure, unconditional love I experienced when my daughter was born. Shout out to Josh Tvrdy for recording the killer guitar solo on this track!”

7. “99 Percent”

“This song started off as an inside joke between my husband and me. While neither of us was keen on dating apps, we each received a message one day claiming that we were a 99 percent match. We decided to meet up to see if the assessment was accurate, and we’ve been together for over a decade since. In somewhat comedic similarity to sustaining a happy marriage, producing this track was a true labour of love. Thank you to Ben Loshin (co-producer) for helping build the groove, shape the guitar parts, and bring forth the vision for this track.”

8. “Last Breath”

“It was a pleasure working with Abby Gundersen (strings) on the closing track of the album, which highlights the complexities of grief and encapsulates the theme of letting go. Reflecting on my sister’s final days and her death following a battle with cancer, this song facilitated a powerful release of grief and regret that I’d held onto for years. Through letting go and finding peace, I finally came to understand that we never truly lose our loved ones.”