Robert DeLong Releases Folktronic Rendition of “Fool Me Once”

Alt-electro alchemist Robert DeLong is trading synths for banjo strings with his new release, “Fool Me Once (Folk Edition),” out today, Nov. 7, via Roundhill Records. The reimagined track, originally released on his 2025 deluxe album PLAYLIST OF DOOM: After DARK, was inspired by a live show where DeLong performed the track on his banjo. Adding JD Carrera on pedal steel, the song is a boom-clap folktronic anthem with a side of indie twang. Stream or download it now at orcd.co/foolmeonce.

Says DeLong:

“‘Fool Me Once’ was written on a banjo in my kitchen, recorded on a voice note, and then promptly forgotten. A few months later during the height of lockdown pandemic quaran-tainment, I produced a fun a cappella version of the song filled with stomping, clapping and singing and people seemed to enjoy it, but again, it disappeared into the feed-ether. As I was putting songs together for ‘PLAYLIST of DOOM,’ I remembered the tune and made a full-production version, which ended up on the Deluxe record. I wanted to do a version of it live, and without thinking one day I picked up my banjo, and then I remembered that’s where it all started. The banjo had accidentally been tuned a half-step too high, which actually suited my voice, and prompted me to record this folk version with my good friend, JD Carrerra, on pedal steel.”

“Fool Me Once” lyrically reflects a multitude of autobiographical moments hand-picked from DeLong’s life and ultimately tells a story of hopefulness post-one-night stand for future romance. DeLong will be featured on the popular YouTube show, Jam In The Van, performing the track on Nov. 10.

Originally from Seattle but now based in Los Angeles, the songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist embraces a sense of raw honesty that seeps through his cleverly crafted lyrics on his fourth full-length album, PLAYLIST OF DOOM, out via Roundhill Records.

Robert DeLong “Fool Me Once (Folk Edition)” single artwork