Doechii – “Anxiety”: A Sonic Manifestation of Inner Turmoil

Doechii has never been one to follow the conventional path, and with “Anxiety,” she takes a bold step into raw vulnerability. The track unravels the overwhelming weight of anxiety through both lyrical expression and an experimental sonic approach, making it one of her most introspective releases yet.

“Anxiety” is a chaotic yet mesmerizing dive into the depths of inner distress. The production mirrors the restless and intrusive nature of anxiety itself, with shifting rhythms and an eerie atmosphere that refuses to settle. The song’s structure is fragmented, much like spiraling thoughts, moving between spoken-word interludes, urgent flows, and haunting vocal repetitions.

Lyrics Analysis: A Battle Against an Unseen Enemy

The refrain of “Anxiety keeps on tryin’ me” sets the tone for the track, instantly placing listeners inside Doechii’s struggle.

She doesn’t just describe anxiety—she personifies it, making it an adversary that lurks in the background, attempting to silence her. The verses blend sharp wordplay with personal confessions, reflecting the erratic and suffocating experience of living with anxiety.

Doechii moves between defiance and exhaustion, at times attempting to push anxiety away (“Gotta keep it off of me”), yet ultimately acknowledging its persistent grip (“I feel it tryin’”). The bridge intensifies this struggle, as she describes the sensation of an “elephant standing on me,” a vivid metaphor for the physical weight anxiety can bring.

Musical Composition: A Sonic Storm

Musically, “Anxiety” is an unpredictable ride. The production is tense, filled with pulsing beats, distorted synths, and abrupt shifts that leave listeners unsettled.

There’s an almost hypnotic repetition in the chorus, amplifying the song’s anxious energy. The instrumental ebbs and flows, building pressure before pulling back, mimicking the unpredictability of an anxiety attack.

Doechii’s delivery is as dynamic as the production itself—moving from hushed tones to sharp, urgent lines, her vocal performance heightens the emotional intensity. The spoken-word interlude (“Quiet on the set, please”) adds a theatrical layer, reinforcing the idea that anxiety often feels like performing a role in a play you can’t control.

Key Musical Elements:

• Evolving Production – Unpredictable shifts in tempo and instrumentation mirror the instability of anxiety.
• Repetitive Hooks – The looping refrains reinforce the cyclical nature of anxious thoughts.
• Genre-Blurring Sound – Elements of hip-hop, electronic, and avant-garde production create an unsettling yet captivating soundscape.
• Dramatic Vocal Performance – Doechii’s ability to switch between delicate delivery and forceful bars adds depth to the storytelling.

Conclusion: A Cathartic and Uncompromising Statement

“Anxiety” doesn’t provide easy answers or resolution, but that’s what makes it interesting.

Instead of smoothing out the edges, Doechii leans into the jagged chaos, giving listeners a visceral taste of what it means to battle anxiety daily. It’s an honest, unfiltered piece of art that lingers long after the final beat fades, cementing itself as one of her most fearless releases yet.

For those who wants to hear the song firsthand, it’s available on Youtube.

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Doechii – “Anxiety” Lyrics

[Refrain]
Anxiety
Keep on tryin’ me
I feel it quietly
Tryin’ to silence me, yeah
My anxiety
Can’t shake it off of me
Somebody’s watchin’ me
And my anxiety, yeah

[Verse 1]
Solo, no mojo
I bounce back, no pogo
Unhappy, no homo
New brands, no logos
Money on my jugular, natural hustler
Think I need a smuggler up in Russia
You could be my butler, shine my cutla’
Shout out to Oyenda, that’s the guzzler
Okay, next thing, my life is a wet dream
I call it a sex scene, the back is a nice tease
I tried to escape, my life is a X-rate
I’m sorry, a sex tape, you only get one take

[Interlude]
Quiet on the set, please
Rolling anxiety
In three, two, one

[Refrain]
Anxiety
Keep on tryin’ me
I feel it quietly
Tryin’ to silence me, yeah
Anxiety
Can’t shake it off of me
Somebody’s watchin’ me
It’s my anxiety, yeah

[Chorus]
Anxiety, anxiet—, oh, I feel it tryin’
Keep it tryin’, keep it tryin’
Oh, I feel the silence
Keep it quiet, keep it tired, oh, somebody’s touchin’ me
Anxiety, anxiet—, oh, I feel anxiet—
My anxiety, anxiet—, oh, I feel it tryin’ (It’s my anxiety, can’t let it conquer me)
Keep it tryin’, keep it tryin’, oh, I feel the silence (It’s my anxiety, gotta shake it off of me)
Keep it quiet, keep it quiet, oh, somebody’s watchin’ me (It’s my anxiety, can’t let it caution me)
Anxiety, anxiet—, oh, I feel anxiety (It’s my anxiety, gotta keep it off of me)
Anxiety, anxiet—, oh, I feel it tryin’
Keep it tryin’, keep it tryin’
Oh, I feel the silence
Keep it quiet, keep it quiet
Oh, somebody’s watching me
Anxiety, anxiet—, oh, I feel anxiety

[Verse 2]
Court order from Florid-er
What’s in that clear blue water?
No limits, no borders
What’s in that new world order?
Marco (Marco), Polo (Polo)
Negro run from popo (Popo)
That blue light and that rojo (Rojo)

[Bridge]
And it’s like
I get this tightness in my chest
Like an elephant is standing on me
And I just let it take over
Anxiety keeps on trying me
Anxiety keeps on tryin’ me, yeah, ooh

[Chorus]
Anxiety, anxiet—, oh, I feel it tryin’
Keep it tryin’, keep it tryin’
Oh, I feel the silence
Keep it quiet, keep it quiet
Oh, somebody’s watchin’ me (Oh, it keeps on trying me)
Anxiety, anxiet—, oh, I feel anxiet— (It keeps on trying, t-trying, trying, oh)
My anxiety, it’s my anxiety, can’t shake it off of me (It’s my anxiety)
It’s my anxiety, gotta keep it off of me (Can’t shake it off of me)
It’s my anxiety, can’t shake it off of me (Oh, somebody’s watchin’ me)
It’s my anxiety, gotta keep it off of me

[Outro]
Can’t shake it off of me, shake, shake it off of me
It’s my anxiety, gotta keep it off of me
Can’t shake it off of me, shake, shake it off of me
It’s my anxiety, gotta keep it off of me
Me
Me