Grip is the third studio album by American singer and songwriter Serpentwithfeet, released on February 16, 2024, through Secretly Canadian. It was primarily produced by I Like That, with additional production from Mike Irish. includes collaborations with Ty Dolla Sign, Mick Jenkins, Orion Sun, and Yanga YaYa. The album received positive reviews from critics.
| Grip | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 16, 2024 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 29:10 | |||
| Label | Secretly Canadian | |||
| Producer |
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| Serpentwithfeet chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Grip | ||||
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Background
editOn October 23, 2023, Serpentwithfeet announced his third studio album, titled Grip. He also announced the album's track list and lead single, "Damn Gloves" featuring Ty Dolla Sign and Yanga YaYa.[1] He released the album's second single, "Safe Word", on January 10, 2024.[2] The album's third single, "Ellipsis" featuring Orion Sun, was released on February 13, 2023.[3]
Critical reception
edit| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 77/100[4] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 8/10[5] |
| DIY |   [6] |
| Exclaim! | 8/10[7] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 6/10[8] |
| Paste | 8.2/10[9] |
| Pitchfork | 7.7/10[10] |
Grip received a score of 77 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on eight critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.[4] Maddy Smith of DIY opined that it "offers a 360 trajectory into romance, acceptance and optimism", calling it "a transformation to deliciously, bracingly unabashed pop" that is "oozing with infectious melodies, tempered production and lashes of sex appeal".[6] Exclaim!'s Ian Gormely found it to be an example of "post-pandemic pop music", describing it as "more than just a showcase for the return of Black queer spaces. It's a celebration of the relationships—passionate, platonic, lasting, fleeting, loving, lustful—that these spaces foster".[7]
Paste's Elizabeth Braaten stated that the album "build[s] on the joyful portrayal of gospel and Black queer love showcased on Deacon, with kinetic instrumentals that harken back to early-aughts R&B".[9] Reviewing the album for DIY, Sarah Taylor commented that Grip "finds serpent much more content, cherishing small moments of physical closeness without becoming sentimental or saccharine" and is "a dynamic and sensual album, rich with imagery".[6] Noah Barker of The Line of Best Fit wrote that while "stylish and moving", the album "lacks a sense of provocation" and "if given the chance, it may groove you to tears, if only for a moment of great release".[8] Stephen Kearse of Pitchfork felt that Grip "trades the gnostic gospel of the singer and producer's past music for saucy R&B" and that his "songwriting is punchier and more direct in this purist mode".[10]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Damn Gloves" (featuring Ty Dolla Sign and Yanga YaYa) |
| 2:31 |
| 2. | "Safe Word" | Wise | 2:46 |
| 3. | "Spades" |
| 3:25 |
| 4. | "Deep End" | Wise | 2:46 |
| 5. | "Rum / Throwback" | Wise | 3:41 |
| 6. | "Black Air Force" (featuring Mick Jenkins) |
| 2:48 |
| 7. | "Hummin'" | Wise | 2:54 |
| 8. | "Ellipsis" (featuring Orion Sun) |
| 3:21 |
| 9. | "Lucky Me" | Wise | 2:27 |
| 10. | "1 to 10" | Wise | 2:31 |
| Total length: | 29:10 | ||
Personnel
edit- Serpentwithfeet – vocals, composition
- I Like That – producer (all except 8)
- Mike Irish – additional production (all except 8), mastering (track 2)
- Erick Bardales – additional production (track 4)
- Mick Jenkins – vocals and composition (track 6)
- Nosaj Thing – producer (track 1 and 7)
- Orion Sun – vocals and composition (track 8)
- Stwo – producer (track 7)
- ThankGod4Cody – producer (track 8)
- Ty Dolla Sign – vocals and composition (track 1)
- Yanga YaYa – vocals and composition (track 1)
References
edit- ^ Ismael Ruiz, Matthew (October 23, 2023). "Serpentwithfeet Announces Album, Shares Video for New Song with Ty Dolla $ign". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ Damara Kelly, Tyler (January 10, 2024). "serpentwithfeet explores the sacred spaces within intimacy on new single, "Safe Word"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ Carter, Daisy (February 14, 2024). "serpentwithfeet shares final album preview 'Ellipsis'". DIY. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ a b "Grip by serpentwithfeet Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Maddy (February 16, 2024). "serpentwithfeet – Grip | Reviews". Clash. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c Taylor, Sarah (February 16, 2024). "serpentwithfeet – Grip review". DIY. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Gormely, Ian (February 15, 2024). "serpentwithfeet Doesn't Let Up His Grip". Exclaim!. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Barker, Noah (February 15, 2024). "serpentwithfeet: Grip Review – stylishly moving". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Braaten, Elizabeth (February 16, 2024). "serpentwithfeet Champions the Intimacy That Raised Him on Grip". Paste. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Kearse, Stephen (February 20, 2024). "serpentwithfeet: Grip Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 22, 2024.