Mikel Rafael 'The Eternal Hour' Is A Debut To Remember

Step aside, formulaic folk—there’s a new voice on the scene, and he’s got stories carved into the bones of his songs.

Mikel Rafael’s debut EP The Eternal Hour is a rich tapestry of myth, metaphor, and melancholia. Raised between Houston and Hong Kong and now based in Nashville, Rafael channels his multicultural upbringing into a sound both deeply rooted and quietly revolutionary. Fans of Ye Vagabonds and early Bon Iver will find themselves at home in his hushed landscapes.

Inspired by the works of Blake, Homer, and Celtic folklore, the EP presents a surreal day in the life of a solitary figure haunted by memory and imagination. The music—minimalist but emotionally potent—features fingerpicked guitar, ghostly vocal harmonies, and lyrics that read like lost poems.

“A Shield and a Sword,” his first single, hinted at Rafael’s literary obsessions and emotional depth. But it’s in the three-part cycle of The Eternal Hour that his vision fully crystallizes: lonely, luminous, and luminously human.

Each track is also brought to life visually with stunning videos that capture the eerie beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Directed by Shane Weisman, the trilogy adds a new layer to Rafael’s mythmaking—this is folk music as immersive experience.

If The Eternal Hour is just the beginning, Mikel Rafael is an artist to follow closely. His music doesn’t just speak—it listens.

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This release landed in our inbox thanks to Decent Music PR, who brought Giampaolo Pasquile's latest project to our attention. It’s always a pleasure to discover fresh talent through their recommendations.