She’s less confrontational than she was on her previous album, yet Doja Cat remains as talented and inventive as always, and her new creative collaboration with Jack Antonoff produces sonic wonders in ‘Vie.’
Stream: ‘Vie’ – Doja Cat
Doja Cat has made her comeback! And it seems her hair has returned as well.
Two years prior, Doja Cat began a new chapter with Scarlet, aiming to surprise her audience. She had cut her hair short, her song lyrics and titles were deliberately bold, and the creative persona she adopted was designed to grab attention.
Now that the biennial album cycle she’s maintained since 2019 has come full circle again, it’s clear that her fifth LP, Vie, isn’t delivering shock value to the same extent as its predecessor – her hair being back to its full length, as shown in the music video for the lead single “Jealous Type,” is perhaps the most telling sign of this. It represents a shift from what we recently witnessed – but as she sings in the beginning of the album, “maybe [you’ll] fall in love, baby,” with it regardless.
Vie – Doja Cat
The chances of that happening are quite high, in fact. Vie provides a highly enjoyable 50-minute collection of new music from the consistently talented Doja Cat, packed with infectious rhythms and a thoughtful blend of singing and rapping that have defined her earlier works and continue strongly in this release. Jack Antonoff recently stepped back from producing for Taylor Swift, which seems to have given him the opportunity to focus his beat-making skills on Doja Cat instead – and the outcome for Vie is significant as a result.
The opening track, “Cards,” establishes the framework for the ‘80s synth-pop inspired production that much of Vie adheres to. Antonoff, along with co-producers Y2K and Gavin Bennett, showcases their creativity while Doja Cat informs her male admirers about the challenges of romantically engaging with a celebrated pop star. “I ain't just some girl on your list and not many men make me nervous,” she cautions, while ultimately encouraging them to take a chance: “Maybe we’ll win some hearts. Baby, just play your cards.”
Tracks like “Couples Therapy” delve into the complexities of celebrity romance. “I feel so abandoned,” Doja shares. “Gotta undo my selfish habits.” In “Gorgeous,” the singer/rapper explores themes of self-relationship and self-worth, expressing that “it’s alright to be honest – even in the dark, I feel the prettiest you ever saw.”
As hinted by their whimsical titles, like “AAAHH MEN!” and “Silly! Fun!” there are also songs where Doja allows her more serious side to take a break and embraces enjoyment, inviting fans to join in (an invitation many accepted during her recent Saturday Night Live appearance). These tracks focus less on serious relationships and more on what she terms “love bombing,” with lyrics like “Wouldn’t it be fun if we went to a party? Wouldn’t it be fun to fall deep for somebody?” running rampant.
One notable similarity between Vie and the darker Scarlet is the limited presence of guest artists on both albums. However, if an exception is to be made, it certainly makes sense for it to involve the iconic SZA, especially considering their previous collaboration, “Kiss Me More,” remains a standout commercial success in both of their careers. The chemistry between SZA and Doja extends well into “Take Me Dancing,” showcasing strong vocals from both artists and creating catchy dancefloor instructions in the chorus: “More body, less mind. Left, right, bend, slide.” The song benefits from infectious saxophone loops reminiscent of Doja’s earlier hits, such as the “In Your Eyes” remix with the Weeknd.
Doja Cat © Greg Swales
Vie concludes on a high note, with enjoyable melodies (just as one might expect from a song titled “Happy,” haha) and even features a fun mix of French lyrics sprinkled throughout (consistent with the album’s title, which means “life” in French). “Come Back” provides a fitting way to close, aligning with the album’s central theme of taking control in love. “You missed the mark and her majesty,” Doja Cat tells her ex, who now finds himself “beggin’ me, ‘baby, come back to me.’” While it seems unlikely to happen, both seem to have gained something from their shared experience. “We learned a lesson from lovin’ on one another,” she reassures him. “Nothing shows more strength than going after ex-lovers.”
Vie is filled with life. The vibrant vocals from Doja Cat, along with the upbeat production from Jack Antonoff and his team, make this a valuable addition to the impressive catalog Doja Cat has built so far.
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Doja Cat continues to showcase her immense talent and creativity, with her newly established collaboration with Jack Antonoff producing sonic wonders for her fifth album, ‘Vie.’