SOTW: Edwin Raphael – “Have You Been Told?”

September 1st, 2023 by Liz Kosik

by Liz Kosik ’25

Song of the Week: Edwin Raphael – “Have You Been Told?”

Released: March 2022

Rate: 8.5/10

RIYL: 6lack, The Paper Kites, Matt Maltese, Bon Iver, Novo Amor

Edwin Raphael is a singer-songwriter from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Growing up, he discovered his love for music and songwriting at a young age while listening to classic rock and pop albums. He started playing guitar at the age of 12 and eventually began writing his songs inspired by The Beatles, David Bowie, and Prince.

In 2018, Edwin released his debut EP, “Ocean Walk”, showcasing his songwriting skills and ability to craft infectious melodies. The EP was well-received by fans and critics alike and helped him gain a pretty loyal following. Since then, Edwin has steadily released new music and has performed at various venues across Canada and the United States. His music has been described as “a soulful blend of indie rock and pop” and his lyrics often deal with introspective themes such as personal growth, relationships, and mental health.

“Have You Been Told?” is a soft-spoken, spiritually driven track encapsulating our life-long balance of work and play. Edwin builds around the idea of keeping both the devil and the angel on your shoulder. He believes it is healthy and natural to act on our “sinful” desires, but only in microdoses. Edwin views these moments as opportunities for us to check ourselves, playing an intricate part in our growth. I love the message Edwin puts out in this track. Life is about taking your dreams and ambitions seriously, but reminding ourselves that some of our most fruitful moments come from the decisions we think are mistakes.