serpentwithfeet, DEACON | Album Review 💿

Alternative R&B singer/songwriter serpentwithfeet shines on his short but sweet sophomore album, DEACON.

IIn case anyone hasn’t already done so, 🎙 serpentwithfeet (Josiah Wise) is definitely an artist everyone should totally check out.  The openly gay musician brings his own distinct style to his music – sort of an alternative/experimental brand of R&B with electronic cues.  The best way to describe Wise isn’t to describe him but rather listen to experience the eclecticism he brings to the table. 2021 brought a short but totally sweet new album, 💿 DEACON, that deserves far more attention than it’s received.  Wise definitely ‘puts in work’ on the 11 track, 29-minute effort. 

“Hyacinth”

Serpentwithfeet commences DEACON, with the compelling ✅ 🎵 “Hyacinth.” “Hyacinth” is lush with ear catching production by Wise, 🎛 Justus West, and 🎛 Batu. Simultaneously, it sounds a bit unorthodox, at least initially.  We get vocals sung with restraint at some points, as well as vocals that are rhythmic and drenched in effects, making for a very unique sound and vibe.  In the process, Wise tackles a very familiar, almost always successful theme for a song: romance.  He asserts, “I think my green thumb has led me to a real one / So glad the soil has yielded something more than bad luck.” That’s gorgeous, and that’s merely the first two lines of the first verse!  He gets more specific about this awesome guy stating on the second verse, “He never played football / But look at the way he holds me.” Say that, say that! Of course, the crowning achievement is the chorus:

“Don’t tell me the universe ain’t listening
I went to bed single now I’m kissing
A man that was once a hyacinth
A man that was once a hyacinth.”

“Can’t love no man ‘til I measured his feet,” serpentwithfeet asserts on arguably the song to beat, ✅ 🎵 “Same Size Shoe.”  Later, he heeds the advice of his aunt singing, “My auntie’s right, don’t fuck a man / If his shoes are two times the size of your hands.” Woo, besides the unique lyricism, Wise delivers an expressive, nuanced, and truly refined vocal performance. His best moments include the ad-libs, the bridge where he asks for his trumpet, and of course, the chorus, which is infectious to the nth degree (“Me and my boo wear the same size shoe”).  Additionally, the production allures as well, matching the ear catching vibes of opener, “Hyacinth.” Two songs in and Wise is on autopilot.

“Malik” 

Though short, 🎵 “Malik” is another awesome moment for serpentwithfeet.  Here, he practically swoons over Malik in all his fine-ass glory (“Pull up in the club and damn, I see my future king”).  Safe to say, Wise does wonders with one-minute-and-a-half of song.  Notably, in addition to his own contributions, 🎵 “Amir” features writing and production from 🎛 Sampha and 🎛 Lil Silva. He continues to dabble in matters of the heart, switching his fancy from Malik to Amir.  He has a whole list of questions for his love interest, much like we all experience when we have our eyes set on someone.  Ultimately, Wise is taken by him, asserting, “Damn, I could shed a tear.” 🎵 “Dawn,” which runs a mere 34 seconds, finds the artist lifting the melody of the traditional spiritual, My Lord What a Morning.” While the tone and overall sound of the vocals bears gospel influence, he trades the lyrics “my Lord” for “wow,” giving this interlude a more secular vibe.

“Sailor’s Superstition”

Giving DEACON a change of pace, 🎛 Take A Daytrip sits behind the production chair on ✅ 🎵 “Sailor’s Superstition.”  There is clearly more of a modern R&B, hip-hop influence.  Like everything that precedes, serpentwithfeet nails it.  I love the quick, rhythmic nature of the lyrics, the ease with which he sings, the harmonized vocals/vocal layers, and of course, the backdrop by Take A Daytrip.  Adding to the picturesque nature of this cut is the simple yet irresistible chorus: “Don’t whistle on the ship / We don’t wanna rouse the wind.”  There’s no let-up on the gorgeous ✅ 🎵 “Heart Storm,” where Wilson continues to bless us with his masterful, utterly sublime vocals. Also, we continue to hear him share about L-O-V-E: “Every time you speak my name / God’s gonna send a little rain.” He also enlists 🎙 NAO, who amplifies the enigma of this lush ballad, as well as provides welcome contrast.  Truthfully, you believe “The sky is gon’ split open once we are holding each other.”

Affirming the three-peat of highlights is ✅ 🎵 “Wood Boy” which is incredibly sensual and one of the biggest talking pieces of DEACON. Remaining true to who he is, he describes the pleasure of gay sex. Serpentwithfeet lets us know what he likes and how he likes it.  There is no escaping sexual roles (“Damn, I like him inside me”) or size (“He’s stacking that wood / Just like he should / Got my wood, wood boy”), but it’s tastefully done.

“Derrick’s Beard” 

On the brief balladry of 🎵 “Derrick’s Beard,” the dedication of serpentwithfeet continues in all its sweetness.  He misses his baby – “Missing your beard.”  He follows up with the penultimate record, 🎵 “Old & Fine,” yet another ode to true love.  Essentially, Wilson has found someone so special he’s willing to grow old with.  I heart the tenderness and continues sweetness he sings with, sounding as if he never breaks a sweat.

“And I’m so thankful for / My friends (my friends), my friends (my friends).” ✅ 🎵 “Fellowship” caps off DEACON marvelously – a vibe, a vibe, a VIBE! The groove is fire, with Afro-Latin vibes. The vocals continue in all their angelic quality, accentuated more by the reflective nature.  “This is the blessing of my thirties,” Wilson sings, continuing, “I’m spending less time worrying and more time recounting the love.” Indeed!

Final Thoughts 💭

All in all, serpentwithfeet totally nails it on DEACON. He is truly skilled as a singer and songwriter, period.  Furthermore, I love his experimental, innovative spirit, which keeps R&B quite fresh and progressive.  Add to the list of pros his openness to share love and sex (“Wood Boy”) from the gay perspective in incredibly romantic fashion.  There’s not a bad song to be found.  

✅ Gems 💎: “Hyacinth,” “Same Shoe Size,” “Sailor’s Superstition,” “Heart Storm,” “Wood Boy” & “Fellowship”

🎙 serpentwithfeet • 💿 DEACON • 🏷 Secretly Canadian • 🗓 3.26.21

[📷: Secretly Canadian]