From the creative heartbeat of Berlin emerges Felix Raphael, a rare kind of artist whose work is inseparably woven from the threads of personal experience, emotional honesty, and a lifelong devotion to sound. A live artist, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist, Raphael embodies the modern definition of a self-built musician, one who does not merely perform music but lives inside it. His artistic path is shaped by a dual understanding of the world: the sensitive, expressive influence of his colour-blind father, a visual artist who taught him to see emotion beyond colour, and the empathetic insight gained from his own time in social work, where he witnessed the private struggles many people carry behind seemingly composed surfaces. These two worlds, artistic vulnerability and human understanding, form the emotional architecture of Raphael’s identity.
Over the years, Felix Raphael has refined a sound that is deeply alive: a fusion of melodic and organic house interlaced with indie-folk tenderness, performed not as a producer behind a screen, but as a living, breathing musician on stage. His performances unfold as vivid, handcrafted experiences, blending guitar, piano, synths, and the warm glow of his rich, anchoring voice. For his latest work, he expanded his musical vocabulary even further, teaching himself the flugelhorn, an instrument whose soft brass timbre became essential to the album’s emotional signature. With each new instrument, each new layer of sound, Raphael continues to build a sonic world that feels human, healing, and profoundly intentional.
With the release of “DO YOU”, unveiled on 28 November 2025 under [PIAS] Électronique, Felix Raphael offers not just a full-length album, but a deeply personal philosophy delivered through sixteen intricately crafted pieces. The project stands as his most revealing work to date, an album shaped by lived experience and directed toward collective healing. Structured in four thematic “stanzas,” “DO YOU” traces the emotional terrain of comparison, insecurity, industry pressure, self-acceptance, therapy, openness, and the simple joys that remind us to stay human. What makes “DO YOU” truly special is its dual nature: it is both a reflection of Raphael’s own mental health journey and a compassionate offering to others navigating similar paths.
Through the warmth of organic house, the intimacy of indie folk influences, and the grounding presence of his unique flugelhorn phrasing, he builds a world that listens as much as it speaks. Each track forms a pathway toward emotional clarity, encouraging listeners to slow down, breathe, and rediscover their own rhythm. Felix Raphael describes the album as a call to honesty, a reminder that creativity can be a sanctuary, that progress takes time, and that joy must be protected. “DO YOU” is a celebration of doing exactly that: living in your truth, without comparison, without apology, and without rushing the process. It is an album with a heartbeat, a message, and a purpose, one that invites listeners to feel, reflect, and finally, to do you.
DO YOU Album Track List:
Doubts (when you’re all around):
The opening moments of “Doubts (when you’re all around)” by Felix Raphel present a deeply intimate soundscape that immediately sets the emotional stakes of the track. Felix Raphael crafts the introduction with a muted, velvety blend of soft synth pads and a delicately pulsing low-end hum that feels like an exhale escaping a worried chest. The atmosphere is warm but restless, carrying the gentle tremble of uncertainty that the song’s title suggests. His vocal entry enhances this vulnerability: breathy, close-mic’d, and almost trembling, as if he is confiding in the listener rather than performing. There is a melancholic tenderness in the way he phrases each line, stretching syllables as though trying to hold on to clarity while being pulled in different emotional directions. The melodic choices lean into this fragility, weaving between subtle tension and momentary relief, giving the beginning of the song a suspended, weightless feeling, like standing in a quiet room filled with unresolved emotions.
As the song progresses, the instrumentation gains a purposeful complexity, mirroring the emotional escalation of self-doubt. Layers of warm, analog-inflected synths bloom around his vocals, gradually expanding the sonic field without overwhelming it, creating a cocoon-like environment where every small detail matters. A soft percussive pattern begins to surface, barely noticeable at first, like a heartbeat accelerating under stress. This minimal rhythm does not dominate; instead, it gently pushes the song forward, giving form to the internal turmoil Felix describes. The harmony deepens with subtle chord shifts that feel both introspective and slightly unstable, the kind of progressions that evoke walking through a fog of conflicting thoughts. Midway, the arrangement subtly blossoms into a fuller emotional shape: the bassline becomes more pronounced, the synths acquire a faint shimmer, and the background textures start swirling around the vocals, representing the unsettling presence of someone whose influence stirs old insecurities. Everything remains organic and human, guided by his preference for warm, hand-crafted, non-artificial sonic elements, which gives the track a soulful sincerity that feels alive.
In the final arc, the song reaches its most expressive and revealing state. The arrangement grows denser, yet never chaotic, as all the earlier elements, vocal layers, sustained pads, warm bass pulses, and organically shaped melodies, align to portray the moment when doubts peak before clarity slowly returns. Felix’s vocals rise with more depth and resolve, shifting from whisper-like vulnerability to a fuller emotional tone, making it feel as though he is fighting through the very insecurities that weighed him down moments earlier. The production captures this emotional shift beautifully: subtle reverb tails lengthen, harmonies thicken, and the rhythmic undercurrent gains slight momentum, simulating an internal confrontation that finally begins to release its hold. By the time the track winds down, the soft textures dissolve into a gentle fade, leaving behind a lingering emotional resonance, a sense of having witnessed a confession, a struggle, and a moment of fragile acceptance. “Doubts (when you’re all around)” stands as one of the album’s most honest pieces, a vivid portrayal of how another person’s presence can awaken hidden uncertainties, rendered through meticulous production and profoundly human emotional expression.
Compass (how to stay aligned):
“Compass (how to stay aligned)” by Felix Raphel opens with a tender sense of emotional directionlessness, conveyed through the song’s soft piano chords and the warm atmospheric bed that surrounds them. Felix Raphael crafts an introduction that feels like stepping into the quiet center of an internal storm, calm, introspective, yet heavy with unspoken tension. The piano is spacious and unhurried, each note landing with the weight of self-reflection, while gentle ambient textures move in slow, circular patterns, mirroring the feeling of searching for one’s bearings. When his voice enters, it does so with a fragile sincerity, almost as though he is singing to himself in a private moment of vulnerability. His vocal tonality is warm, steady, but slightly quivering at the edges, capturing the emotional exhaustion of being pulled in too many directions at once. The lyrical delivery paints a vivid picture of someone trying to navigate the invisible push and pull of life, north and south, desire and responsibility, clarity and confusion, setting the emotional tone of the entire track with poetic restraint and honesty.
As the song transitions into its core movement, the instrumentation evolves in a way that feels both organic and symbolic. Subtle synth layers begin to bloom around the piano, forming a lush harmonic field that mimics the slow rediscovery of internal balance. A soft, heartbeat-like rhythm emerges, grounding the track and giving it a quiet sense of movement, as though guiding the listener step by step through disorientation. Felix uses this section to deepen the emotional palette: shimmering pads hover like thoughts drifting through a reflective mind, while gentle arpeggios flicker in and out, representing the small sparks of clarity that appear when trying to realign one’s emotional compass. His vocals here become slightly more forward, supported by faint harmonies that echo his questions and affirmations. This creates a layered emotional dialogue, his inner voices responding, reassuring, challenging, and guiding him. The chord progressions subtly shift into more hopeful territory, yet they retain a touch of uncertainty, reflecting the truth that alignment is not a destination but a continual process of recalibration.
The final stretch of “Compass (how to stay aligned)” delivers the track’s emotional resolution through a beautifully controlled crescendo. The production opens up, widening the stereo field with deeper pads, thicker harmonies, and a more pronounced rhythmic presence, all rising like a carefully measured wave. Felix’s vocals become more resolute, shedding some of the earlier vulnerability and embracing a tone of inward acceptance. The arrangement mirrors this transformation: the piano grows brighter, the synths pulse with newfound intention, and the textures that once wandered now move with purpose. It feels like the moment when one finally exhales after days of searching, realizing that alignment is found not in certainty but in honesty with oneself. As the song gently tapers off, the layers peel back one by one, returning to a quiet, steady space, much like a compass settling after being shaken. The fade-out leaves behind a profound sense of emotional groundedness. “Compass (how to stay aligned)” stands as one of Felix Raphael’s most moving pieces, combining meticulous production, heartfelt songwriting, and a richly symbolic sonic journey that encapsulates the delicate art of finding one’s way back to center.
South:
“South” by Felix Raphel opens with an immersive and weighty atmosphere, immediately signaling its role as one of the album’s most introspective and grounding pieces. The track sinks into view through deep ambient pads and a low-frequency swell that creates the sensation of slowly descending into a quiet emotional undercurrent. The textures are warm but brooding, with a slightly grainy edge that adds realism and depth to the soundscape. A subtle drone hums beneath everything, functioning like a steady emotional gravity that pulls the listener inward. The opening moments are intentionally sparse, allowing the ear to settle into the mood before additional layers begin to surface. This minimalism is not empty; it is deliberate, shaping the track as a meditative descent into the “south” of the self, the direction where heaviness, grounding, and inner contemplation reside. The atmosphere feels cinematic and earthy, like wandering through the deepest chambers of an internal landscape.
As the track unfolds, more elements glide into the mix, enhancing the sense of movement without disturbing the calmness. Soft percussive pulses emerge, quiet, rounded, and heartbeat-like, giving the composition a slow, organic momentum. Shimmering mid-range synth tones drift in and out, forming melodic fragments that never fully resolve, emphasizing the feeling of searching, sinking, and feeling one’s way through emotional fog. Felix Raphael’s production makes masterful use of contrast: airy textures float above darker bass currents, creating a layered interplay that feels simultaneously weightless and heavy. The warmth of the synths expands gradually, adding emotional richness while maintaining the track’s introspective restraint. Every new layer is subtle but intentional, shaping “South” as a deep ambient journey where the listener is guided through slowly shifting emotional terrain rather than through a fixed, predictable structure.
In its final arc, “South” reaches a quiet but profound resolution. The rhythmic pulses grow slightly more defined, giving the later section a sense of grounded stability, as if the wandering thoughts and descending emotional currents have finally reached a steady floor. The harmonic layers widen in the stereo field, creating a spaciousness that contrasts beautifully with the track’s initially enclosed feeling. High, glassy tones begin to shimmer at the surface of the soundscape, offering a soft glow that suggests clarity emerging from introspection. The textures gradually thin out, dissolving into a gentle fade that feels like releasing a long-held breath. What remains is a lingering warmth, a sense of emotional alignment after exploring the deeper southward pull of the mind. Without a single lyric, “South” communicates an entire inner journey, using atmosphere, tone, and motion to portray the beauty of sinking inward, grounding oneself, and finding quiet equilibrium in the depths.
Creation (no matter how far I go):
“Creation (no matter how far I go)” by Felix Raphel begins with a serene, spacious atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive, setting the foundation for a deeply reflective sonic journey. The opening textures flow in slowly, soft, airy pads that swell like gentle breaths, accompanied by a warm undercurrent of low-end resonance that adds emotional gravity without becoming intrusive. The soundscape feels hand-crafted, as if every frequency has been shaped with care to mimic the quiet spark of inspiration that begins all creation. Delicate melodic tones flicker in the background, subtle enough not to dominate but expressive enough to introduce a sense of wonder, like distant lights glowing at the edge of perception. This introduction captures the emotional paradox of the track’s concept: the farther one travels, the more one senses the pull of something meaningful, something foundational. The ambience is meditative and deeply human, inviting the listener into a headspace where inward exploration and outward curiosity coexist.
As the track develops, its structure becomes more defined, introducing layers that build a sense of progression and inner movement. A gentle rhythmic pulse appears, steady, rounded, and unobtrusive, serving as the heartbeat that guides the track’s ascent. This rhythm does not push; it supports, allowing the melodic themes to evolve organically. The mid-range synths become richer, taking on a warm analog glow that blends emotional nostalgia with futuristic clarity. Melodic motifs repeat with slight variations, creating a hypnotic flow that feels like thoughts circling and refining themselves over time. Tiny spark-like textures, glittering, high-frequency details, float through the mix, adding dimension and expressing the sense of discovery tied to creation and self-expansion. The harmony swells in subtle waves, echoing the feeling of traveling outward while constantly being drawn back to an inner truth. Everything remains balanced, demonstrating Felix Raphael’s finesse in constructing wide, immersive sound worlds that feel personal rather than overwhelming.
In its final movement, “Creation (no matter how far I go)” reaches an emotionally luminous state, bringing together all earlier elements into a cohesive and satisfying resolution. The rhythmic elements become slightly more pronounced, grounding the track and giving its final stretch a sense of confident forward momentum. The harmonic layers open fully, allowing warm pads, resonant bass, and shimmering melodic lines to interact in a fluid, layered dance. The arrangement feels like the culmination of an internal journey, expansive, reflective, and grounded in a deep sense of returning. Subtle crescendos lift the listener into a brighter emotional space before easing back into soft, dissolving textures that feel like the fading glow of a creative revelation. The ending leaves behind a lingering warmth, a sensation of clarity and belonging. Through its evolving textures, emotional pacing, and impeccable production, “Creation (no matter how far I go)” becomes a beautifully crafted reminder that no matter how far one travels, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually, there remains an inner source of inspiration that anchors every journey.
Patience (every step feels right in time):
“Patience (every step feels right in time)” opens with a melodic, heart-stirring alliance between gentle finger-picked acoustic guitar, the melancholic beauty of the flugelhorn, Felix Raphael’s soulful voice, and the poetic lyric “with you my dear, every step feels right in time.” This combination immediately establishes the track’s contemporary folk influence, shaping an atmosphere that is intimate yet expansive. As the sprightly, organic yet house-leaning beat enters alongside a simple, emotional piano-esque synth line, the foundation widens without losing its softness. The opening passage balances warmth and delicacy, creating a space where acoustic tenderness meets subtle electronic movement, allowing the listener to settle into the track’s central theme: the quiet, reassuring rhythm of patience. Every element feels placed with intention, encouraging a slow immersion into a soundscape that breathes, expands, and trusts its own timing. The introduction is not built on urgency or dramatic gestures; instead, it embodies emotional composure, quietly emphasizing how stillness can feel deeply meaningful.
As the song progresses, a subtle heartbeat-like rhythm emerges, guiding the composition with graceful steadiness. This rhythmic pulse is neither forceful nor dominant; rather, it acts as the grounding element that gives the track its gentle sense of direction. Layers of warm, analog-styled synths begin to blend with the pulse, forming a rich harmonic bed that feels both uplifting and deeply rooted. The midsection of the track introduces soft, flowing melodic lines that move with quiet confidence, never rushing, always unfolding at the speed of natural growth. These melodies circle and expand, echoing the sensation of steps taken slowly but purposefully, each one measured, thoughtful, and aligned. Felix Raphael’s attention to detail is evident in how he balances movement and restraint: the song grows, but it never hurries; it evolves, but it never overwhelms. This careful progression mirrors the emotional arc of learning patience, where clarity arises step by step, rhythm by rhythm, breath by breath.
In the final stretch, “Patience (every step feels right in time)” reaches an elevated emotional softness, a moment where everything in the arrangement feels fully aligned. The harmonic layers widen, lifting the atmosphere into a space of gentle openness and inner clarity. Textures that were once faint become slightly more luminous, giving the ending a subtle glow that feels like the culmination of steady, intentional progress. The rhythmic foundation maintains its calm confidence, anchoring the listener as the melodic fragments slowly fade into airy resonance. Each sound withdraws with grace, leaving behind a residue of warmth and centeredness. The track closes not with a dramatic finale, but with a peaceful exhale, embodying the essence of patience itself. Through its restrained beauty, organic pacing, and emotionally sensitive design, “Patience (every step feels right in time)” becomes a sonic meditation on trust, timing, and the quiet power of taking life one aligned step at a time.
A boldly crafted journey of emotion and identity, ‘DO YOU’ blends introspection, storytelling, and sound into a lasting, immersive experience.
In its entirety, this album stands as a bold and triumphant declaration of artistic identity, one that not only captures the essence of the artist’s evolution but also transforms their personal reflections, lived experiences, and creative risks into a cohesive body of work that feels both intimate and cinematic. Each track contributes a meaningful piece to the emotional architecture of the project, showing remarkable attention to storytelling, production depth, and thematic consistency. What makes the album exceptional is its ability to balance introspection with ambition, blending vulnerability with a confident command of sound, narrative, and atmosphere. It invites listeners not just to hear the music but to experience the artist’s world in full color, its highs, lows, conflicts, and revelations, ultimately leaving behind an imprint that feels both personal and universal. For anyone seeking a project that rewards deep listening and offers rich emotional and artistic substance, this album comes highly recommended; it is the kind of work that stays with you long after the final note fades, evolving with each replay and continuing to reveal new layers of meaning over time.
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