New Album, DEACON, Out This Friday on Secretly Canadian
“The music serpentwithfeet makes is immediately distinctive, harnessing his gospel and classical training to a startling emotional openness.” — The New York Times
“With his new album, the more refined yet more ambitious “DEACON,” [serpentwithfeet] dares to make gospel pop.” — The New Yorker
This Friday, Los Angeles-based artist serpentwithfeet will release his new album, DEACON, on Secretly Canadian. Today, he unveils new single, “Heart Storm,” a duet with English singer, songwriter, and producer NAO. The single follows “Same Size Shoe” and “Fellowship.” All of the material from DEACON serpent has previewed thus far has been met with incredible praise. Recently, he was profiled in The New York Times and has been a featured artist in Youtube’s inaugural Black Voices campaign which spotlights Black creatives from around the world.
Listen to serpentwithfeet’s “Heart Storm (with NAO)”
“Heart Storm” continues to showcase the power, dexterity and spectacular beauty of serpent’s voice as he sings with NAO through intricate, acrobatic arrangements with clarity and confidence. Throughout, serpent showcases his ability to arrange complex vocal lines in the spirit of noted influence and gospel giant, Richard Smallwood. “I love a little magical realism. In this song I’m saying that there is so much love and power every time me and my man unite, even the heavens rejoice. Here, we welcome the storm.”
For serpentwithfeet, DEACON is a study rather than a story delving into Black, gay love and the tenderness present in the best companionships, romantic or otherwise. The follow-up to his debut album, soil, one of 2018’s most praised albums of the year, DEACON highlights serpent’s growth as a songwriter, embracing straightforward approaches to expression. The album’s title takes its name from the Christian office, a figure who helps maintain order within the church and himself, and proudly follows in the tradition of R&B artists whose gifts were helmed in the Black church.
Praise for serpentwithfeet
“serpentwithfeet continues to prove [himself] as one of [his] generation’s most sensitive songwriters.” — PAPER
“[serpentwithfeet] blends the traditions of gospel, R&B, and soul into something deeply personal and utterly ethereal” — The FADER
“Even when serpentwithfeet isn’t going big, his music remains just as beautifully affecting.”
— Stereogum
“Everything about [‘Fellowship’] radiates warmth – the earthy production, the fluttering of his vocals, and its echoing message: ‘I’m thankful for the love I share with my friends.’” — NYLON
“simply put, [‘Same Size Shoe’ is] some of the singer’s best writing yet” — Billboard
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