– THE QUIET RIOT –

To this point, I’ve mainly treated Serpentwithfeet’s music a bit like I would treat an actual serpent that had feet. Which is to say, I’ve regarded it with a great deal of intrigue without ever feeling the need to get closely acquainted with it.

There’s no doubt Serpentwithfeet (or Josiah Wise as he’s known to his Mum) is a hugely talented singer and a ground-breaking, visionary artist. I just, to be honest, don’t really like his stuff most of the time. It’s too, well, messy for me.

Ironic, then, that the acoustic version of Messy should be the track to turn my head.

All the hallmarks of classic SWF are there; the virtuoso vocal-runs, the confessional, intimate lyrics, the quiet grandiosity.

But, somehow the backing vocals – greatly changed from the original – give the track an extra dimension. Their hook, sung over this acoustic version’s introduction, proves undeniable and will stay with you for a long time.

And that sets the track up for a wholeheartedly more human, more emotive version than the one which was released on 2018’s soil.

When the second, higher-pitched piano part comes in under the second verse it is absolute perfection.

I may, finally, be starting to get caught in the serpent’s coils.

MORE FROM THIS WEEK’S MIX

CYKADA: CREATION
DUCKWRTH: LOVE IS LIKE A MOSHPIT
JAMILA WOODS: BASQUIAT
30/70 COLLECTIVE: NU SPRING

P.S. You can find all of the tracks reviewed above in the 45 Revolutions per Minute playlist below or click to access the 45 RPM Playlist on Spotify itself.

If you like what you hear (or even if you don’t), please engage in dialogue with me @45rpm_Reviews on Twitter. And, if you’d like to receive updates weekly, please subscribe to the email list to get these recommendations sent to your inbox weekly.

– SV –