Only Doja Cat, the “Say So” rapstress, would reveal the album cover of her latest project “Vie” the Monday leading up to its release.
The cover features Doja Cat dangling from a parachute caught in a tree, which according to an Instagram caption written by Doja Cat herself, represents how “the pain from the fall teaches you that those scratches can be healed.” Does this explanation encapsulate the central themes of the album, or does it lead the listener astray?
“Vie,” an ’80s soundscape, opens with the groovy and snappy “Cards,” a memorable pop-hip hop blend that features Doja Cat urging an unnamed stranger to “take [her] wherever [they] want,” effectively introducing the character of the ‘stranger’ that is present throughout the project. It’s incredibly fun and an early highlight of the album, along with the next two tracks “Jealous Type” and “AAAHH MEN!” that are both some of the best tracks on the record with addictive hooks and punchy, nostalgic production. As fun as these tracks are, in some aspects, they are misleading, as they promise an album full of Doja Cat-esque quirky tunes, which doesn’t hold up throughout the rest of the album.
Quirkiness has always been part of Doja Cat’s brand, but she takes multiple steps back from the silliness of “Vie,” with much more sensual, earnest themes, verses and production with the help of mega-producer Jack Antonoff and a string of other producers. The run from “Couples Therapy” to “All Mine” are all necessary additions to the story of the album, but all string together with similar downtempo production that gives off the feeling of sameness.
“Take Me Dancing” with long-time collaborator SZA brings back the funky and danceable feel of the first three songs in a much needed reprieve from the monotony of the previous tracks, with Doja urging the “stranger” to “take [her] dancing tonight” and that “it’s lonely out here / In this big old mansion.” The chemistry between Doja and SZA is undeniable and flows well into “Lipstain,” a slower highlight of the record that preludes another stretch of flow-destroying monotony. The track “Silly! Fun!” is practically the opposite of its title in all regards, a B-side track that feels more like a failed attempt to bring Doja Cat’s traditional flare into the more subdued, human world of “Vie.”
The following two tracks, “Acts of Service” and “Make it Up,” are slower, yes, but they provide more insight into Doja Cat’s insecurity with the aforementioned “stranger,” adding complexity to the “Vie” version of Doja Cat. These tracks, unlike “Couples Therapy” and “All Mine,” key the listener into the importance of self-reflection through a mature lens that Doja Cat hints at throughout the album and prepare the very strong finish to the project.
The run from “One More Time” to “Come Back” is on par with the first three tracks, featuring some of Doja Cat’s most personal lyrics of her discography, mixed with fun and groovy production that is sure to satisfy both new and old, fans and critics alike.
Overall, even if a little overstuffed, “Vie” feels like a crucial stamp on Doja Cat’s discography that highlights her emotional side in a complex and brand new light. So, to answer the question of whether or not Doja Cat’s caption sums up the album as a whole: oui.
