The album was announced in May 2021 with Ray saying "This record is a documentation and celebration of the lessons I have learned about love, life and my unremitting passion for music as I've stepped into my early twenties.

"[7][8] Ray was set to preview tracks from the album at Oxford Art Factory, Sydney on 24 June 2021 and at The Night Cat, Melbourne on 1 July 2021,[8] but the tour was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[5] "It's Almost Christmas in Philly" was released as a single on 26 November 2021 for the holiday season, accompanied by an acoustic version of the song and a cover of Joni Mitchell's "River".

Alex Gallagher from NME Australia said "It's a collection of songs that swerve between euphoric pop gems and open-hearted ballads, blending the two on standouts like the David Le'aupepe-featuring 'Worldly Wise.

"[12] Al Newstead from ABC said her debut album establishes her as "a charismatic force in pop" saying "As much as Begin To Look Around is a milestone of Gretta embracing a chart-ready evolution to her sound, it's clearly a coming-of-age record [as] these songs document the turbulent years of Gretta's own life, from 19 to 21, whipping her way around the world, falling in and out of love, and staking her independence and identity not just as a musician, but as a young woman stepping into her early twenties.