In her fifth studio album, Vie, released Friday, Doja Cat yet again proves her chameleonic ability to reinvent herself and her sound. Following the bold, gothic-inspired and hardcore rap-focused Scarlet, which Doja Cat jokingly described as a ‘fart’, Vie arrives as a colorful, groove-heavy project that embraces funk, R&B, new jack swing and hip-hop. If Scarlet was Doja Cat’s declaration of artistic independence, Vie comes as her invitation to dance again.
With her latest album, Doja Cat takes listeners on a genre-bending ride that manages to be both nostalgic and forward thinking. Recorded in southeastern France, the album takes a lot of inspiration from the French language, with its title translating to “life” in English. She also incorporates the French language into segments of certain songs, such as “Happy”.
Collaborating with Jack Antonoff, George Daniel (of the 1975) and longtime producer Y2K, Doja Cat exudes confidence and playfulness on the album. One particular track, “Take Me Dancing,” featuring SZA, is the single best cut from the album, which perfectly fuses the album’s 80s-inspired pop with an easy-to-remember chorus that also appeals to today’s audiences.
Additionally, tracks including “Gorgeous” and “Acts of Service” stand out as mainstream, appealing highlights in an album full of experimental and, at times, dated production styles. Doja Cat’s theatrical personality shines through on this album in a way that was missed on “Scarlet.” Songs such as “AAAHH MEN!” and “Silly! Fun!” incorporate her signature, almost hyperventilating style of rap.
However, the album isn’t without its lulls. After the first listen, some tracks may seem forgettable amidst the marquee sound of tracks like “Take Me Dancing” and “Jealous Type” that feel purposefully crafted to stand as radio singles, supporting the rest of the album. However, Doja Cat’s personality and vivaciousness shine through. Her knack for blending wit, genre play and charisma ensures that even deep cuts on the album still showcase her range and daring creativity.
Perhaps most striking about Vie, it balances between levity and craft. Where Scarlet challenged longtime fans of her flirtatious sound with abrasive beats and darker aesthetics, Vie invites them back in with warmth, groove, and humor. A record that feels unapologetically fun but never frivolous, it reaffirms Doja Cat’s range as both a vocalist and a tastemaker. With plans for a global 2026 tour already announced, the album positions her not just as a hitmaker but as a live performer aiming for longevity.
While not every experiment lands, Vie showcases that Doja Cat is at her best when she’s able to be versatile and theatrical in her lyricism and production. It provides a strong reminder that the California native remains one of the most daring and creative figures in mainstream popular music today, one who thrives on reinvention and refuses to sound predictable. Vie means “life,” and on it, Doja Cat sounds reborn.
4 ½ ACTS OF SERVICE OUT OF 5
