Photography by Saen Sunderland
Lucy Francesca Dron releases debut album ‘Close (But Not Quite)’
"Lucy has expertly and patiently captured her human experience with the ancient sadness and melancholy on her debut album, “Close (But Not Quite),” unearthing a masterpiece".
Daniel James Newton (HEAVY AND WEIRD)
Praise for Lucy Francesca Dron:
“A raw outpouring of feverish emotion and uninhibited jazz-tinged indie rock”. Mitch Mosk (Atwood Magazine)
“Dron’s voice is infused with a late-night insouciance, dripping with emotion and pain, soaring magnificently over a sparse rumbling soundtrack – insistent and driving, relentless”. BackseatMafia.com
“Not only an incredibly rich vocalist – but hugely talented guitarist, Lucy’s ability to play with such natural stamina and charisma brings her above the rest, an undoubtable star”. DAYNA GILMORE (Hear 2 Zen Magazine)
Lucy Francesca Dron’s highly anticipated debut album “Close (But Not Quite), is out now.
The acclaimed Meanjin artist, has curated a conceptual album infused with her quintessential honesty and brave vulnerability. Leaning into the pathos of human experience with an evolving wisdom, ‘Close (But Not Quite)’ represents a musical journaling of similar themes to the songstress’ earlier releases in her coming-of-age 2021 EP Leftovers, but with evidence of even deeper understandings and an ever-maturing musical sound world.
‘Close (But Not Quite)’ features previously released singles; the ethereal Last Breath, Start Again which is the psychedelic opening track to the album, and the sophisticated and complex jazz infused Adjacent To You. The full impact of the album’s concept, however, is experienced when listened to sequentially in a single sitting.
The album opens with ‘Start Again’, where Tom Dron’s driving bass line and Abbie Chadiarchi’s high octane drums support Lucy’s soaring vocals, backed by an ethereal chorus. The second half of the track moves to a more rock infused mantra “Will I ever be enough?” before ending with an experimental, psychedelic instrumental haze. The second track, ‘Adjacent to You’ begins with Lucy’s vocals in full focus accompanied by simple guitar before layering in the artful drumming of regular collaborator, Tex Keane followed by Tom Dron on bass. The work of Cam Bower who performed on and produced the album is particularly present in this track with his jazz chords and lead guitar riffs adding perfect complexity to the song, while Lucy’s vocal agility is showcased throughout.
Track three, ‘Last Breath’ represents a more expansive sound architecture for the artist. As reviewer, Saba states “The word “expanse” is key here. It perfectly fits the meticulously controlled vocals and artful tempo. At the same time, it lends itself to the deep-cutting philosophical ponder that is “Last Breath” in the lyrical layer. Ultimately, as the title suggests, it is a song that “explores the possibility of life after death and the experience that comes with facing this question”. The final note of the Last Breath track is suspended, linking us sonically to the following number 'Rat in the Wall'. The first part of this fourth track is more reminiscent of the edgy indie rock vibe fans of the singer will recognise from songs like Take it From Me and What is Next. The second half explores a slower paced richly textured section featuring bassist and Lucy’s brother Tom singing a counter melody.
Track five ‘Love Goes’, presents us with a sound world reminiscent of a classic R&B ballad. Lucy’s sultry vocals spanning an impressive range over a paired back instrumentation of her own electric guitar and gentle bongo drums. The soulful meditation of this track is then contrasted by the following epic number, 'Time’s Up'.
‘Time’s Up’ (track six) was conceived and written during a Covid lockdown where the artist was hearing calendar notifications on her laptop throughout the day. This inspired her to improvise over the motif of the notification, then giving birth to a song which has subsequently become the powerful, closing number at her live shows. ‘Time’s Up’ builds in intensity creating an ecstatic sonic chaos.
The title track 'Close But Not Quite' is positioned as the penultimate track on the album and again allows for the distinctive musical layers to support Lucy’s heartfelt lyrics. The final phrase sounds as an open-ended question, unresolved before we hear the final track of the album.
The final track was not initially intended to make it onto the album, but when Lucy strummed her new idea to her band in the break during a recording session, they unanimously encouraged her to add it to the project. The raw and unedited recording of ‘Refrain’ they captured in the studio that day is what we hear on the final track of the album. Coincidentally, the final phrase of Refrain is “start again” providing a true, full-circle experience for listeners.
Close (But Not Quite)
1. Start Again
2. Adjacent To you
3. Last Breath
4. Rat in The Wall
5. Love Goes
6. Time’s Up
7. Close But Not Quite
8. Refrain
About Lucy Francesca Dron
Known as an introspective artist who revels rather than retreats from the pathos of life, Lucy has established a reputation as a consummate performer and artist with divine finesse. Single "Liquid Numbing Pain" scored a Triple J first spin for track, #99 on the 4ZZZ Hot 100 countdown, and MTV rotation for the clip. She's also notably achieved Triple J play for EP tracks "Take It From Me" and "What Is Next?" and receiving a Highly Commended for the Billy Thorpe Scholarship in 2022.
Premiering as a support for indie star Hope D at The Foundry in 2019, Lucy and her band have been on the up and up between supporting The Delta Riggs on their national tour in 2021 and for international legends Slowdive in 2023 as well as selling out iconic Brisbane establishments Black Bear Lodge and The Brightside for her headline shows. Dron has also cut her teeth as a festival artist, closing out one of the Mountain Goat Valley Crawl 2022 stages and drawing a crowd at Hidden Lanes Festival 2021.
A staple of the local scene, Lucy Francesca's Dron entrancing live shows are brought to life by Cameron Bower on keys and lead guitar, drummer Abbie Chadiarchi and her brother Tom Dron on bass.
