7/10
After singer-songwriter Doja Cat hopped around between different aesthetics on previous works such as her pop album Planet Her and rap album Scarlet, she strikes a balance between the two on her newest studio album, Vie. Settling on a ’80s pop genre, Doja draws inspiration from artists like Blondie and Madonna. She also incorporates her signature rap style, ultimately creating a sound that feels truly her own. Focusing on herself and her relationships, Doja explores life, romance, and self-love. Still, repeated composition across multiple songs ultimately limits the album’s impact.
Doja opens with the long-awaited song, “Cards,” a track teased months before release—and it does not disappoint. Opening with a jazzy saxophone that reflects the wide variety of genres and artists from the ’80s like Sade or Culture Club, Doja sets the tone with the flirtatious chorus, “Play your cards (Right).” The next track, “Jealous Type,” continues to incorporate heavy ’80s references, especially in the music video that features teased hairstyles, bold colors and patterns, and eye-catching jewelry.
“Stranger” details Doja’s desire to find a partner who shares the same sense of humor and commitment that she embodies. “You’re a trip to them and a vacation to me,” she sings, showcasing the humor, energy, and lightheartedness that she cherishes in her partner, even if that energy is too much for others at times. “So kiss me like your mirror, eyе me like a queer / Nothing you do could freak mе out,” Doja sings—suggesting that she is restricted by traditional gender norms and embraces gender fluidity in a partner and herself.
“Silly! Fun!” bridges the joys and frustrations of being in a relationship. Similar to iconic ’80s voices like Madonna, Doja sings in a kittenish drawl. “Wouldn’t it be fun if we went to a party? / Wouldn’t it be fun to fall deep for somebody?” she sings. Doja celebrates the childish joy that new love interests bring, while acknowledging their emotional toll of lovebombing: “You’re so unserious, you blow my mind / You’ve got me furious, no, I’m not fine,” she sings. “Couples Therapy” dives further into this theme, also highlighting the importance of staying open in relationships. “Let the truth set you free / Maybe we needed couples’ therapy,” Doja sings.
Other tracks like “Acts of Service” and “Make it Up” continue to examine the psychological torment romantic relationships often incur. While both focus on the internal thought process of being in a relationship, “Acts of Service” continues to explore the rush of a new love. “Baby, how do I know for certain? / Does a key to your flat mean girlfriend?,” she sings. However, “Make it Up” focuses more on the thoughts and worries that come with having a partner, going in circles about how to fix seemingly endless issues with the repetitive staggered chorus including—you guessed it—“Can I make it up to you.”
While the album primarily focuses on Doja’s romantic encounters, “Gorgeous” looks further into loving oneself. With the lyrics, “I feel the prettiest that you ever saw / Are your eyes even open?” Doja comments on embracing self-love, regardless of exterior opinions or and beauty standards. The music video, directed by Bardia Zeinali, hones in on the ’80s look through an advertisement-like music video featuring a variety of supermodels such as Alex Consani and Anok Yai. Zeinali perfectly captures the memorable decade through warm color grading along with ’80s blowouts, perms, and crimped hair.
The album’s only major flaw lies in the repetitive structure Doja Cat uses for the majority of her songs. Tracks like “Cards,” “Couples Therapy,” and “All Mine” all have the same arrangement: a dreamy and light vocal chorus paired with the bolder, raspy vocals of Doja’s rap style about two-thirds of the way through each song. While she may have found her style, the same recurring format causes the album to lose its sonic depth and undercuts the diverse musical structures that characterized the ‘80s.
Aside from the formulaic pattern of her tracks, Doja Cat’s strong references to the ’80s aesthetic and memorable instruments like the synth and saxophone create an album rich in character. With the consistent exploration of love and its different viewpoints, Doja makes this album an impressive reflection of her talents as an artist.
