Billy Raffoul - “It’s a Beautiful Life”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 10

Pairs Well With…Hozier, Didirri, Damien Rice

Billy Raffoul’s gritty/soft vocal mix is the constant highlight of his music, focused around indie folk and acoustic rock forms over a series of EPs and a string of singles since last fall leading to recently released “It’s a Beautiful Life”. Hints of gospel, blues, and new wave pop leak into Raffoul’s latest tracks, but mostly he nicely keeps things sparse especially given how naturally strong his vocal sounds even at a whisper. Following his releases from 2017 single “Driver” to today, it’s clear that Raffoul is becoming a more pop-oriented songwriter and focused now on hooks as much as his heartfelt songwriting. (Kevin McStravick)