‘Nosebleeds’ Single Review: A No Nonsense Victory Anthem

On Feb. 1, only two women had won “Best Rap Album” at the Grammy Awards since the category’s introduction in 1996: Lauryn Hill and Cardi B. On Feb. 2, Doechii added her name to that list with her 2024 album “Alligator Bites Never Heal.” In the aftermath of her first Grammy win, Doechii released “Nosebleeds” — an entertaining and witty single.

The track opens with breathy, hyperventilation like sounds, seemingly a reference to “DENIAL IS A RIVER” — Doechii’s breakout hit. Accompanied by an aggressive bass that sets the song’s tone, her lyrical strength shines through the instrumental with lines like, “Everybody wants to know what Doechii would do / If she didn’t win, I’ll guess we’ll never,” referencing Kanye West’s 2005 Grammys acceptance speech. From then on, Doechii’s killer confidence dominates the track, bolstered by violin instrumentals, heavy synth beats, and an uptempo drum pattern.

Doechii reflects on her journey to stardom in the chorus with lines such as, “Stepped out the swamp to the motherfuckin’ stage,” and playfully answers questions that fans and casual listeners often ask successful artists about their career trajectory. The straightforward yet melodic hook — “I guess we’ll never know / Guess we’ll never see the day that Doechii crown fall” — makes her mindset unmistakably clear. In these lines, Doechii does what she does best: delivers crisp, power-packed verses that sears her victory into the listener’s ears.

Her clear-cut confidence is particularly evident in the lines, “Now I understand why they mad at me and hate on my anatomy / It’s ‘cause I look good from the balcony,” where the backing track is solely composed of her limited breaths, allowing her voice to truly shine and reach deep. While the entire song is full of syncopated beats that add to the impact of each line, the momentary glimpse into Doechii’s unaccompanied vocals highlights her unique voice as she unfurls catchy and memorable lyricism.

In the interlude, Doechii nods to her Grammy acceptance speech, exclaiming, “A thanks to you God, a thank you to Top God Entertainment / Oop, Top Dawg Entertainment.” She takes a moment to prove her rhyming wit while paying homage to the people and places that shaped her artistry, with lines like, “SZA, Zay, Moosa in the hatin’ ass stands / Mommy, Blake High School, all the bitches I surpassed.” Fittingly, the single’s cover art features a Grammy with an alligator-skin pattern, likely alluding to “The Swamp” — both where she was raised in Tampa, Florida and the moniker of her fanbase. Throughout the interlude, the fast drum pattern subliminally raises the stakes, likely mirroring her accelerated heart rate after winning one of the most coveted awards in the music industry.

While the instrumental elements remain fresh and cohesive throughout the track, the outro takes an unexpected turn. Doechii’s voice softens in the last lines, and the once-harsh rhythmic backdrop becomes a bubbly synth accompaniment. Though Doechii makes this abrupt shift work, the music and tone feel displaced within an otherwise evocative sound. Doechii uses the experimental sound to hint at exciting future projects, yet the final lines lose the intensity that defined the rest of the track. That said, the softer lines introduce a layer of vulnerability that aligns with the track’s larger theme, and this move may be intriguing for both new listeners and longtime fans alike.

Overall, Doechii’s “Nosebleeds” accomplishes what it set out to do: Establish her growing lyrical prowess while celebrating her success. Doechii is here to stay, and as she continues to expand her discography, this flourishing artist’s journey is only just beginning.

—Staff writer Emily G. Fallas-Chacon can be reached at emily.fallas-chacon@thecrimson.com.