a diary of wrestle and resilience

Along with her final providing – the 2022 EP ‘She/Her/Black Bitch’ – Tampa’s Swamp Princess proved to the world why she was a hybrid-pop powerhouse within the making. Doechii’s easy swap between her avant-garde rap bark and syrupy vocals confirmed she has musical agility like no different; pair that together with her unapologetically quirky fashion, and he or she rapidly secured a spot within the higher echelons of present hip-hop. However, on her third mixtape, ‘Alligator Bites By no means Heal’, her wacky character takes a dip, and Doechii adopts the darkness of the swamp.

The 26-year-old’s newest single ‘Increase Bap’ wasn’t only a satirical clap again at those that “stated they needed her to rap” – it units the tone for the throwback hip-hop vibes that may be discovered all through the document. That’s no dangerous factor – Doechii is a witty, comical songwriter who can let you know vivid tales with little effort, and this method permits that aspect of her to shine (see ‘Denial Is A River’ for proof of that, the place she narrates the heart-wrenching time she discovered she was being cheated on whereas in her personal therapist’s chair). However, in comparison with her current singles’ dance and pop-R&B sounds, this lyrical fashion is a swift detour that takes over most songs on the 19-track mixtape.

‘Alligator Bites By no means Heal’ doesn’t really feel like a document made for radio or to point out off how adaptable Doechii will be. As a substitute, it displays her private struggles – just like the doom she feels about approaching her thirties, trade politics and label calls for, and her place within the music world. By means of all of it, her honesty have to be recommended.

From the opening observe ‘Stanka Poo’, she will get candid, sharing that she feels diminished to a “TikTok rapper, part-time YouTube actor”. ‘Boiled Peanuts’ continues her frank sharing, the rapper complaining, “Label all the time up my ass like anal beads / Why can’t all these label niggas simply let me be?” earlier than calling herself a “dying sunflower leaving a path of seeds”. This sense of being trapped or feeling insufficient is everywhere in the mixtape, turning what needs to be a vivid and joyous document into one thing extra upsetting.

‘Alligator Bites By no means Heal’ in the end finds its strategy to a brighter place as Doechii pulls us out of the darkish and misty swamp and into the heat of her present dwelling within the Sunshine State. After ‘Nissan Altima’, the Floridian exhibits off her musical versatility, attempting out new genres like bossa nova (‘Beverly Hills’) and synth-led hip-hop (‘Huh!’, ‘Fireflies’). The mild guitar and ethereal harmonies of the soulful titular observe, in the meantime, create an ethereal expertise whereas Doechii begs us to “dance together with her”.

At first, Doechii will get into the nitty gritty on this launch, however – by the top – she finds solace and energy, making the mixtape really feel extra like a sonic diary of her emotional journey. It’ll take time to see if it turns into a standout in her discography, however this boldly brazen document positively makes an announcement.

Particulars

• Document label: High Dawg Leisure/Capitol Information
• Launch date: August 30, 2024