Unlearning is Teddy Swims’s debut EP and first cohesive body of work under his current artist name, released in 2021 via Warner Records. The seven‑track project runs just under 25 minutes and includes “L.I.F.E.,” “Bed on Fire,” “Blowin’ Smoke,” “Broke” (featuring country star Thomas Rhett), “Somebody Should Kiss You,” “Til I Change Your Mind,” and “Will It Find Me.” Swims has described the EP as a reflection of the intense introspection he—and many others—went through in the pandemic era, saying that “there were some things we all needed to learn but even more things we all needed to unlearn,” with the songs capturing his journey through “this mess and hard times.”Musically, Unlearning introduces the genre‑fluid style that defines Teddy Swims: a cozy, rich baritone gliding over a mix of pop, soul, gospel, country, hip‑hop, and rock elements. “L.I.F.E.” opens with upbeat, pop‑soul energy; “Bed on Fire” is a dramatic, big‑voiced ballad about destructive love; “Blowin’ Smoke” leans into R&B grooves; and “Broke” blends country storytelling with pop‑soul hooks. Later tracks like “Til I Change Your Mind” and “Will It Find Me” dig deeper into vulnerability, self‑worth, and the fear of never finding lasting love or peace. In interviews, Swims links the EP’s title and concept to breaking old mindsets, learning empathy, and using music to connect and “serve a greater good,” making Unlearning both a stylistic calling card and a thematic mission statement that paved the way for his subsequent EPs and I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy album series.
