By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – New York,
The avant-garde landscape of modern R&B is often defined by its ability to synthesize the ancient with the digital, the carnal with the divine. Few artists navigate this intersection with as much grace and intellectual rigor as Josiah Wise, known professionally as serpentwithfeet. In an announcement that has sent ripples through the independent music community, Wise has revealed his latest project, an EP titled Sentinel, slated for release on December 4. This upcoming record is not merely another entry in his celebrated discography; it represents a pivotal moment of transition, both creatively and professionally, as the artist moves into a new chapter of his career.
For nearly a decade, serpentwithfeet was a cornerstone of the Secretly Canadian roster, a label that provided the platform for his rise from an underground experimentalist to a critically acclaimed voice in contemporary music. With Sentinel, Wise marks his debut as a signee of One Little Independent Records. This shift in label representation signals a deliberate move toward a stable of artists known for their uncompromising eccentricity and boundary-pushing aesthetics. The move feels appropriate for an artist whose work has always defied easy categorization, blending the operatic traditions of his training with the soulful resonance of his gospel upbringing.
The lead single and title track, "Sentinel," is available now, offering a profound glimpse into the sonic and thematic world Wise has constructed for this EP. Musically, the track is a masterclass in atmospheric tension and release. It draws heavily from the rhythmic structures of sea shanties—a genre historically defined by communal labor and the isolation of men at sea—while remaining anchored by the artist’s deep-seated gospel roots. The result is a sound that feels both timeless and hauntingly modern, a reverent love song that utilizes harmony not just as a melodic tool, but as a spiritual invocation.
The inspiration behind Sentinel delves into the complex psychological and social structures of masculinity. In a statement accompanying the announcement, Wise reflected on the genesis of the title track, noting that his writing process was deeply influenced by observations of homoeroticism and the specific ways men socialize when separated from broader society. This exploration of "men in isolation" serves as a springboard for a larger critique of patriarchy—not necessarily as an external political force, but as an internalized, instinctive ritual.
Wise posits that patriarchy is sustained through a subconscious understanding of roles and hierarchies. He explores the idea that men, regardless of where they sit on the social ladder, instinctively recognize their position in relation to power. This dynamic, characterized by a willingness to genuflect or yield autonomy to those perceived as having more privilege or "alpha" status, is something Wise likens to religious devotion. By translating these power dynamics into an erotic context, serpentwithfeet challenges the listener to reconsider the nature of desire, submission, and the structures we use to organize our intimate lives. This intellectual depth is a hallmark of his work, transforming what could be a standard R&B record into a philosophical inquiry.
The timing of Sentinel is particularly noteworthy, arriving less than a year after his 2024 full-length album, GRIP. While GRIP leaned into the physical and communal energy of the club, celebrating the intimacy found on the dancefloor and the safety of Black queer spaces, Sentinel appears to be a more introspective and perhaps more austere counterpart. If GRIP was about the heat of the crowd, Sentinel seems to be about the quiet, often heavy, weight of the individual within a hierarchy. The contrast between these two projects highlights Wise’s versatility and his refusal to remain stagnant in one sonic lane.
The tracklist for the EP further hints at the thematic threads of power and tutelage that Wise is weaving. With titles such as "Henchmen," "Invocation," "His student," and "Of Course, Daddy," the project seems to lean into the language of service, mentorship, and authority. These titles suggest a narrative arc that explores the nuances of the "beta" experience—the beauty and complexity of being the one who yields, the one who learns, or the one who serves. This subversion of traditional masculine tropes is a bold move, especially in a genre that often prioritizes bravado and dominance.
Adding to the intrigue of the EP is the inclusion of "Puckish," a track featuring TYGAPAW. Known for their high-energy, boundary-breaking techno and electronic production, TYGAPAW’s involvement suggests that Sentinel will not be entirely devoid of the rhythmic intensity Wise explored in his previous work. This collaboration promises a fascinating collision of styles: the choral, gospel-inflected vocals of Wise meeting the sharp, industrial-adjacent textures of TYGAPAW. It is a testament to Wise’s ability to bridge the gap between the sanctuary and the warehouse, the hymn and the beat.
The production of Sentinel also reflects a maturation of Wise’s sound. Throughout his career—from the raw, visceral emotions of his debut EP blisters to the lush, romantic landscapes of soil and DEACON—there has been a steady refinement of his vocal delivery. On the title track "Sentinel," his voice is as nimble as ever, capable of soaring into a delicate falsetto before dropping into a rich, resonant baritone. The sea shanty influence provides a sturdy, percussive foundation that allows his vocals to weave in and out of the arrangement like a prayer whispered in a storm.
As serpentwithfeet prepares to release this seven-track collection, the music industry is watching closely. His move to One Little Independent Records places him alongside a legacy of artists who have successfully navigated the transition from "rising star" to "established visionary." For an artist who has always been preoccupied with the sacred, Sentinel feels like a new kind of liturgy—one that examines the rituals of manhood with a critical but tender eye.
The EP’s artwork and overall aesthetic continue Wise’s tradition of high-concept visual storytelling. Always one to present himself with a sense of regal deliberateity, the imagery associated with this era of his work reinforces the themes of the music: a blend of the maritime, the clerical, and the deeply personal. Every element of the Sentinel rollout feels curated, designed to immerse the audience in a specific emotional frequency.
In a world where music is often consumed as a fleeting commodity, serpentwithfeet remains an artist who demands—and rewards—close attention. He asks his listeners to sit with uncomfortable questions about power and identity, all while wrapping those questions in some of the most beautiful melodies in contemporary music. Sentinel is not just an EP; it is an invitation to look at the structures of our world and our hearts through a different lens.
As December 4 approaches, the anticipation for the full project continues to build. Whether he is exploring the ecstasy of the club or the solemnity of a sea shanty, Josiah Wise remains one of the most vital voices of his generation. With Sentinel, he is once again proving that the most profound discoveries often happen in the spaces where we are most isolated, and that there is a unique kind of freedom to be found in understanding exactly where we fit on the rung.
The full tracklist for Sentinel is as follows:
- Sentinel
- Henchmen
- Invocation
- His student
- Of Course, Daddy
- Sentinel (Reprise/Alternative)
- Puckish (feat. TYGAPAW)
With this release, serpentwithfeet continues to solidify his reputation as a master of the "ecstasy of exorcism," turning the complexities of the human experience into art that is as challenging as it is sublime. Sentinel is poised to be a landmark release in a career that has already redefined the boundaries of what modern soul music can be.
