Joel Johnston—better known as Far Caspian—emerges from the quiet shadows of burnout and introspection with Autofiction, his most emotionally bold and sonically comforting album to date. Released July 25, 2025 via Tiny Library Records, this third full-length marks a pivotal return to vulnerability, forged in Johnston’s Leeds studio where he played, produced, and mixed every note himself .
Opening with the introspective “Ditch” and segueing into the tender warmth of “First Day,” the album sets a tone of soft resilience from the first chord. The title track introduces Johnston’s desire to be heard—and to make his vocals matter more than ever before .
Across ten songs, Johnston reimagines emotional clarity as artistry, exploring themes of mental health, partnership, gratitude, and self-forgiveness. In tracks like “Lough” and “End,” he transforms doubt and illness into lyrical affirmations—“Your mind changed from a fear to a song.” His vocal intimacy and candid lyricism shine even when the melodies adopt glacial tempos .
Musically, Autofiction is a spacious tapestry of shimmering guitars, buoyant riffs, soft electronics, and hushed introspection. Highlights like “Whim” swirl nostalgia and poise, while “Here Is Now” offers a shimmering, upbeat respite reminiscent of indie-pop meditation . Though some tracks blend gently into the aether, the overall atmosphere feels deliberate and emotionally rich, accentuated by subtle production choices like banjo whispers and synth pulses .
Critically, Autofiction has earned warm acclaim: Pitchfork praises its lo-fi guitar confessions, while Spill calls it a soundtrack for emotional perseverance, and Hotpress views it as a record of hard-won acceptance—and courage to keep moving forward .
Though its pace and restraint may test fans hoping for high-octane hooks, Autofiction succeeds on its own terms—clarity over clutter, honesty over artifice. Johnston’s shift toward vocal transparency and lyrical directness grants listeners permission to lean in, to feel, and to simply be.
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