The music industry's biggest troll is back, but she was NOT joking around with this new album. Doja Cat released her highly-anticipated fifth studio album, “Vie,” on Friday, and it has all the makings of a hit pop record. The French word “vie,” which directly translates to “life,” is a perfect descriptor for this upbeat and fun retro-inspired work.
Doja Cat first rose to mainstream fame during the 2020 pandemic era with her single “Say So,” which was a hit on TikTok. Since then, she’s released chart-topper after chart-topper, and her artistry has evolved into its own unique sound. Doja Cat has also established herself as an eccentric character with an absurd sense of humor. Whether she’s dressing head to toe in red body paint at the Met Gala or posting nonsensical content on social media, Doja Cat has definitely showcased her true personality. Love her or hate her, her status as an icon is undeniable.
“Vie” comes nearly two years after Doja Cat released her last album, “Scarlet,” which garnered mixed reviews from the public. In “Scarlet,” Doja Cat shifted away from her usual pop-centered sound, creating a project more focused on rap and hip-hop. However, in “Vie,” she gravitates back towards pop, proving that “Scarlet” was just a little detour. With “Vie,” Doja Cat becomes the next artist to create an ‘80s-inspired pop record, blending retro elements with her signature pop rap style. “Vie” is centered around her romantic life and features a multitude of iconic lyrics that express the artist’s unbothered queen energy.
The album’s lead single, “Jealous Type,” was released in late August and served as a good preview for the album as a whole. With an upbeat tempo and catchy chorus, “Jealous Type” has all the ingredients of a pop hit. However, surprisingly, this track failed to gain the same level of attention as Doja Cat’s previous lead singles, like “Kiss Me More” from “Planet Her” and “Paint the Town Red” from “Scarlet.” But, still, I greatly enjoyed “Jealous Type” and was excited to hear the rest of the album.
When I hit play on the album’s first track, “Cards,” I was immediately enticed by the saxophone solo in the song’s intro. “Cards,” while still fairly upbeat, is one of the more steady songs on the album and is perfect for easy listening. The track starts off as more of a pop song, but towards the end, more rap elements are integrated. In this song, Doja Cat warns her lover to be careful, telling them that they “gotta just play [their] cards.” Overall, this song perfectly sets the tone for the rest of this album.
My personal favorite song on this album is “Take Me Dancing,” featuring SZA. As a die-hard SZA fan, I may be a little biased; however, this song is bound to be a huge success. The entire song, not just the chorus, is extremely catchy, and I haven’t been able to get it out of my head. SZA and Doja Cat have previously collaborated on the song “Kiss Me More,” which was a huge success, and “Take Me Dancing” is likely going to follow in its footsteps.
The album as a whole, which features 15 ‘80s-inspired tracks, is cohesive, with each track effortlessly flowing into the next. A downside to this, however, is that it can get a little repetitive when listening to the whole album in one sitting. But at the end of the day, I can appreciate the overarching theme of love and pain accompanied by an ‘80s-esque backtrack and vibe.
In the past few years, we have seen the revival of pop music and a new generation of pop stars. “Vie” can function as a mainstream pop album, but Doja Cat’s own personal style as an artist sets it apart from other records being released. With this album, Doja Cat, without a doubt, has cemented herself as a pop queen in my eyes. However, I’m genuinely not sure how much attention this album is going to get, with its release being sandwiched between Sabrina Carpenter’s “Man’s Best Friend” and Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl.” Nonetheless, “Vie” is worthy of being a success, and allowing it to be looked over would be a big mistake.
