Originally Published on October 23rd, 2026
I remember where I was when I heard Lexie Modica for the first time. They had just released their debut single, Home, and I had just launched Fifteen Minutes of Fame that week. It was the fourth review I had ever written. I was sitting in a Thai restaurant waiting for a to go order and I remember getting lost in the conflicting feelings of sadness in the lyrics pairing with the uplifting melody of the song.
I knew then that Lexie had something unique to offer Roots music. There was a hint of the traditional sound of the genre but with woven nuance from sounds and styles that are more popular today.
Over the last two years, I’ve had the opportunity to have a few conversations with Lexie. They’ve become one of my favorite artists featured here and I can proudly say they’ve become a dear friend.
Putting friendship aside, I am inspired by their wonderful and diverse talent. After Home, Modica would begin focusing on recording music and they also started playing out, with appearances at local venues and performances at PRIDE festivals, etc. It wouldn’t be until spring of 2025 before they released their second single, but they proceeded to release several more after it. In 2025, we would hear The Bitter End, Faces in the Sun, Honey Lavender Mint, Bite the Apple, The Boots, and then Northern Lights in early 2026. It was evident that Modica was working on something big, but it wasn’t until I interviewed her last year where they confirmed they were working towards releasing their debut album.
Letters to an Ex
Letters to an Ex is the debut album of independent recording artist, Lexie Modica. It releases today, October 23rd, on streaming platforms everywhere. It is 13 songs, runs at just under 50 minutes, featuring 5 of Modica’s previously released singles and 8 brand new songs. Letters to an Ex is an independent release under LXM Records.
Letters to an Ex is a full-circle experience for me, as a listener of Modica. I have been there since they debuted and more than two years later, I am still overwhelmed by the torn feeling of sadness in the lyrical content, fused with the diversity of the composition. There are some extraordinary tracks on this album and each pay homage to traditional sounds. Slow Love, for example almost sounds like a ballad right out of the 50’s and the “Bobby era.” Hurdles touches more on their 90’s alt rock inspiration, like the single The Bitter End.
Modica pulls from different places with the variety of genres they choose to represent, but it is all central to their roots sound. Lyrically, the content is more focused and it’s right in the title of the album. There are definite stages to the state of Modica’s mental state in relation to where they were in the aftermath of this breakup. Like the emboldened Seven Years that serves as a closure piece. In Gods Like You, there is exhibited appreciation. They let their audience experience the love and the moment they placed this person on a pedestal.
Letters to an Ex is a profound album that flows from start to finish. Modica has found a bridge from their classical upbringing to their pop roots style today. The crispness of their vocal performance is piercing and sincere. There is a sweetness to it, especially in the ballads.
My favorite song is actually the very last single that was released prior to the release of the album, Northern Lights. It is a sweet ballad with an absolutely haunting pre-chorus. I melt into the progression every time the guitar pauses to let Modica sell the listener on that moment.
Letters to an Ex is an extraordinary release. It has been a long time coming, as I’ve been anxiously waiting to hear it for more than a year now, but now that it is here, I feel fulfilled as a listener. It’s better than I could have ever imagined it to be. I love hearing how the singles fit into the bigger picture of the story. I think the new songs are all incredible. It is very satisfying to experience this entire vision realized.
Go press play!
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