Doechii – ‘Alligator Bites Never Heal’ review: a candid sonic diary of struggle and resilience

3 weeks ago 10

With her last offering – the 2022 EP ‘She/Her/Black Bitch’ – Tampa’s Swamp Princess proved to the world why she was a hybrid-pop powerhouse in the making. Doechii’s effortless switch between her avant-garde rap bark and syrupy vocals showed she has musical agility like no other; pair that with her unapologetically quirky style, and she quickly secured a spot in the upper echelons of current hip-hop. But, on her third mixtape, ‘Alligator Bites Never Heal’, her wacky personality takes a dip, and Doechii adopts the darkness of the swamp.

The 26-year-old’s latest single ‘Boom Bap’ wasn’t just a satirical clap back at those who “said they wanted her to rap” – it sets the tone for the throwback hip-hop vibes that can be found throughout the record. That’s no bad thing – Doechii is a witty, comical songwriter who can tell you vivid stories with little effort, and this approach allows that side of her to shine (see ‘Denial Is A River’ for proof of that, where she narrates the heart-wrenching time she found out she was being cheated on while in her own therapist’s chair). But, compared to her recent singles’ dance and pop-R&B sounds, this lyrical style is a swift detour that takes over most songs on the 19-track mixtape.

‘Alligator Bites Never Heal’ doesn’t feel like a record made for radio or to show off how adaptable Doechii can be. Instead, it reflects her personal struggles – like the doom she feels about approaching her thirties, industry politics and label demands, and her place in the music world. Through it all, her honesty must be commended.

From the opening track ‘Stanka Poo’, she gets candid, sharing that she feels reduced to a “TikTok rapper, part-time YouTube actor”. ‘Boiled Peanuts’ continues her frank sharing, the rapper complaining, “Label always up my ass like anal beads / Why can’t all these label niggas just let me be?” before calling herself a “dying sunflower leaving a trail of seeds”. This sense of being trapped or feeling inadequate is all over the mixtape, turning what should be a bright and joyous record into something more upsetting.

‘Alligator Bites Never Heal’ ultimately finds its way to a brighter place as Doechii pulls us out of the dark and misty swamp and into the warmth of her current home in the Sunshine State. After ‘Nissan Altima’, the Floridian shows off her musical versatility, trying out new genres like bossa nova (‘Beverly Hills’) and synth-led hip-hop (‘Huh!’, ‘Fireflies’). The gentle guitar and airy harmonies of the soulful titular track, meanwhile, create an ethereal experience while Doechii begs us to “dance with her”.

At first, Doechii gets into the nitty gritty on this release, but – by the end – she finds solace and strength, making the mixtape feel more like a sonic diary of her emotional journey. It’ll take time to see if it becomes a standout in her discography, but this boldly brazen record definitely makes a statement.