Doja Cat’s Vie (released September 26, 2025 via Kemosabe / RCA) is in many ways a homecoming to pop. After the sharp, abrasive edges of Scarlet, this feels like a recalibration. She leans fully into retro ’80s textures: glittering synths, sax interludes, art-house flair, and her lyrical lens caught somewhere between romantic journals and self-portraiture.
The album opens with “Cards,” where sneaky sax bleeds in before the beat settles — an ominous yet playful overture. “Jealous Type,” as a lead single, is a standout — tight in structure, catchy, and confident. Tracks like “Gorgeous” carry high production polish, with Doja’s voice threading between singing and subtle rap inflections.
When Vie works, it’s when she trusts the groove and allows space — e.g. “Come Back” drifts beautifully in its ambient popdrift, and “AAAHH MEN!” brings emotional highs. But the album isn’t without its missteps: some tracks lean too heavily on pastiche rather than reinvention, and the formula (sing — rap — chorus) recurs more than one wishes.
In sum: Vie is a lush, often beautiful reboot. It doesn’t fully erase the tension from Scarlet, but it offers a softer space for Doja’s creativity to wander.
Rating: 8.7 / 10