Edwin Shares New EP ‘You Have No Idea, Man’ [Premiere]

You Have No Idea, Man is a record that was made in the dead of winter in Eau Claire, Wisconsin by two brothers who now live on opposite sides of the country. In those moments spent together, the brothers have created a piece of work to assuage the frigidness of the outside, drawing from the warmth of acoustic guitars, shimmering synths and reflections upon love that has come and gone.

The title of the EP, You Have No Idea, Man begs for a response. No idea about what? Is it the sinking feeling that comes with an unbearable to desire to be with someone who doesn’t feel the same way? Is it the self-doubt that accompanies rejection? If you couldn’t empathize with these feelings before, Edwin shapes a world that presses you to confront them head on.

The EP, produced by S. Carey (Bon Iver) and Brian Joseph (Sufjan Stevens, PHOX), is characterized by live rock instrumentation mixed with subtle electronic elements and natural samples, echoing the sounds of familiar places that become haunted when dealing with heartbreak. There are beautiful moments throughout the record of rising melodies and soothing harmonies, like soft waves under a sailboat, carrying us so smoothly through this emotional journey. The second song on the record, “Let’s Both Agree,” ends with the lyrics, “let’s both agree to wait and see,” a line that leaves a trail of tension, like a lingering unanswered question. The next song is appropriately titled “Waiting,” a piano ballad that sits on the border of dedication and craving for someone so slightly out of reach. The EP comes full circle with the energetic and reflective release in “I’ve Only Gone,” when the lyrics claim a new understanding, singing, “I quickly learned under the pressure I’m the one who needs support.”

This record is an intimate account of self-realization that grows deeper and wider with every listen, until you find yourself completely subsumed in it. Through these listens we recognize our own “Uncontrollable Pride,” our need for patience, our bad habits, our self-worth, our dedication and our dependency. By the end, you’ll definitely have some kind of idea, man. Make sure to stream the EP above and catch Edwin on their West Coast tour.

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