The Weekly Coos

A narrative in Doechii’s new mixtape is how opting for something to show she can still spit just as well as the pop bops she creates, which comes as critics and fans derided her for being a pop act when she relishing in wanting to be one. Nothing is wrong with pop, but “POP” has become a term that undermines talent, the talent she expressed through her standout hit “What It Is (Block Boy)” alongside Kodak Black. What makes it more nauseating is how quick one is to throw away potential because of a simple direction chosen as if it isn’t meant to get taken seriously. In this case, the luscious R&B-Pop/Hip-Hop hybrid breathes through the seems with lavish melodies; however, most people get hyper-focused on the notions of pop but you shouldn’t think about it as lesser than. That mentality can sometimes be inescapable, and it shows via results, like what Doechii did with Alligator Bites Never Heal, her new mixtape that reminds people of her flamethrower pen game, coming with significant highs and throwaways that extend it with inconsistent pacing.

“Boom Bap” is a personification of the negativity Doechii got for making poppy records, creating doubt if she still can rap; still, on the track she attacks with reaffirmation that her pen has never left. In the track’s first verse, Doechii spits, “They want real rap from a bitch like they out-rappin’ a bitch/Yeah, she can clap a lil’ bit, do that, they ain’t sayin’ shit/That ass a magnet, I get it, you know, attractive and shit/I just can’t sang a lil’ bit? I mean, that shit was a hit,” saying that there is no need for the negativity because artists are always morphing and not everything has to be monotonous to a style or genre. Coming later in Alligator Bites Never Heal, it retroactively sets more depth to what you hear before and after as she is in tune with the fan base, becoming more of a thirst quencher. The fans are getting what they have been clamoring about, and it’s enough to keep them afloat as Doechii continues to blend the two styles with visceral potency. Doechii can dance, rap, and sing, and does so at a great level, so one should relish what she delivers because the promise is high. Her job here is to spit.

Alligator Bites Never Heal is a run-of-the-mill mixtape stacked with rappity-rap flows, tracks, and quality beats, but that isn’t negative, as it speaks more of its free-flowing style. She makes that known instantly with the barrage of wicked verses despite shifting content in what she wants to rap about, and in doing so, she keeps us with the door ajar. It’s as if we hear and see Doechii work and pour out her emotions so vigorously. From creative song constructions and solid production, it is a filled chasm with enough discharge to keep interest high, even when it can taper off with what feels like throwaways. Much of that comes from an extensive tracklist that can mildly get exasperated like with “Huh,” where its simplicity doesn’t have much complexity as it retreads monetary flexing; “Beverly Hills” showcases her inner Irreplaceable alla Beyonce, but it doesn’t stick the landing. It’s likewise the case with much of her choruses that teeter the line of expectancy. Fortunately, the highs make up for much of the downs, especially since Doechii is on another level with how motivated she sounds behind the microphone.

With Doechii’s door ajar, the album gives us something more intuitive and comes at the expense of some bumps, but when she lets some of her barriers down, she doesn’t shy from getting quirky. “Denial is a River” comes after Doechii gives us three multi-layered tracks that elevate this space we should have with her to talk her shit because the rhymes will speak for themselves. Though “Stanka Pooh” starts the album triumphantly as a memorable banger, “Denial is a River” is where it starts to take shape, and much that comes after has more life, like the smooth and slightly poppy “Slide.” “Denial is a River” sees Doechii talking with her other ego again, but this time she reflects on a moment of weakness and confusion when she found out her partner cheated on her with someone of the same sex. It’s an interesting concept because it can breathe ideas into the mind of denialism in a relationship, considering what is deemed the preference. It’s the antithesis of something like “Profit,” where she comes with infectious riotousness to show why she’ll never back down. It brings new ideas to retreaded themes, thus making it more fresh.

Alligator Bites Never Heal has quality beats that follow a modest throughline to get the best out of Doechii, and it succeeds in that. Unfortunately condensed, you get left with a few extra pieces the tape could do without, but the highs have a consistent hit rate. It makes the journey more rewarding for a mixtape, considering it isn’t anything new, but something fantastic that is minimally formulaic. It made it so for me because I was thinking about Doechii first and when I heard how the beats assimilated to her style, it opened more room for it to breathe and for me to enjoy. My enjoyment is something I hope is what this review reflected as I believe that same enjoyment will hit you with bewilderment because Doechii is proving that she is more than just a Rapper/Singer, she is an EMCEE!