ROIL’s Living Outside the Closet arrives as a fearless and emotionally rich indie-pop statement from one of Belgium’s most intriguing emerging voices. Written from the perspective of lived queer experience, the album navigates heartbreak, masculinity, loneliness, and healing with refreshing sincerity. Across eleven deeply personal tracks, ROIL transforms vulnerability into strength, creating a project that feels both intimate and universally resonant.
At the centre of the album is ROIL’s ability to tell stories with remarkable emotional clarity. Songs like “Straight Guy” and “Outside the Closet” confront themes of longing, identity, and social pressure with raw honesty, while “Shittier Than Goodbye” captures emotional fallout in striking detail. Every lyric feels carefully considered, allowing listeners to connect with the emotional core of each track.
Musically, Living Outside the Closet blends atmospheric indie-pop with alternative influences, resulting in a sound that feels modern yet emotionally timeless. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Troye Sivan, Phoebe Bridgers, and Conan Gray, ROIL creates lush, introspective arrangements that support the emotional intensity of the songwriting. The production remains polished without sacrificing intimacy.
One of the album’s most memorable moments comes through “manhood,” a track that examines masculinity with equal parts sincerity and biting humour. ROIL approaches difficult subjects without self-pity, choosing instead to expose emotional contradictions openly. That honesty gives the album a relatable human quality, particularly for listeners navigating their own experiences with identity and acceptance.
ROIL’s multicultural background also subtly shapes the project’s emotional depth. Influences from classical music, jazz, Thai rock, J-pop, and British alternative music combine to form a sound that feels globally informed while remaining deeply personal. Tracks like “Whisper” and “uneasy” showcase his ability to create atmosphere through understated instrumentation and expressive vocal performances.
Ultimately, Living Outside the Closet stands as an important and compelling debut from an artist committed to authenticity. ROIL doesn’t simply write songs about pain — he writes about survival, emotional rebuilding, and the difficult freedom that comes with honesty. It’s a moving body of work that positions him as a powerful new voice within indie-pop and queer storytelling.
“With Living Outside the Closet, ROIL delivers a deeply personal yet universally relatable debut; fearless, emotional, and unapologetically honest. His ability to blend vulnerability, humour, and alternative pop sensibilities makes this record feel both intimate and timely,” shares music publicist Danielle Holian, Decent Music PR.