Bleach (song)

"Bleach" has been described as an "abstract R&B power ballad with an aching, heartsick climax".^[1] The production features a "woozy synth line" of G-funk-esque style, over which Matt Champion and Merlyn Wood perform their verses, before the beat switches to R&B style in the climax. The chorus is performed by Ryan Beatty.^[2] The bridge of the song sees a palm muted guitar riff, over which Joba provides "silky" falsetto vocals.^[3] The outro is performed by Bearface.^[4]

The song was well received by music critics. Trevor Smith of HotNewHipHop remarked it "showcases the strong R&B sensibilities of the group".^[2] Veronica Irwin of The Quietus wrote "'Bleach' in particular, with it's [sic] fading, flattening instrumental is stunning, and Beaty's hook, despite all its vagueness about 'the feeling,' has a chest-driven delivery that's absolutely heart wrenching."^[5] Marcus Blackwell of HipHopDX considered it one of the songs from Saturation III that "effectively highlight a recurring major strength for the collective: relatability."^[6] HotNewHipHop's Patrick Lyons commented the closing minute of the song "feels effortless in contrast with about half of III that feels more calculated than anything from Brockhampton's past."^[4] Clash's Will Rosebury cited it as among the tracks that "allow each member to express themselves more candidly, without verging on the over-sentimentality of tracks from the first two records."^[7]

Live365 ranked it as their third best song.^[8] Variety placed "Bleach" at number six on their list of Brockhampton's 15 best songs.^[9]