Buddy J Francis Drifted Through Cosmic Isolation in the Alt-Indie Neo-Pop Fever Dream, ‘Alone Again’ –

Through throbs of saturated 80s synth pop nostalgia, waves of indie new wave crooner charisma, and lyrics so tender to the literary touch they almost become a caress before they slip into the cosmic ether, Buddy J Francis summons an otherworldly intimacy with his latest single, Alone Again. It is less a lament and more a tide of resonance for anyone who knows the sting of fleeting connection, when the reprieve of companionship inevitably dissolves and solitude returns like a shadow at dusk.

While the interstellar effects reflect the alienation of isolation, the warmth in the tonal palette renders the song closer to a companion than an outcry. In the lo-fi alt-indie sphere, few manage to hold listeners in such suspended emotion; Francis ensures his intimacy clings long after the outro fades.

A multi-instrumentalist and genre-spanner, Francis has roamed through psych rock, folk, hip hop, and even comedy, always shaping songs alone in his studio with unflinching devotion that often stretches for months. Live, he uses a loop pedal to weave guitar, drums, and vocals into a one-man symphony, complete with costume changes and character work, as shown during his set at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. With Alone Again marking the first taste of his forthcoming iLP, he proves his chameleonic charm has only grown sharper with time.

Alone Again is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast