Nov. 7, 2025
By Mariah Allen
Webmaster
Nearly two years after the release of her dark and aggressive album, “Scarlet 2 CLAUDE,” pop artist Doja Cat shocked listeners on Sept. 26 with her ‘80s-themed synth-pop and funk album, “Vie.”
The album’s title, which means “life” in French, is also a reference to the Roman numeral V, symbolizing her fifth studio album and newfound identity.
During its first week, “Vie” debuted at No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and had nearly 13 million Spotify streams on its first day. It reflects the influences of renowned producers Jack Antonoff and Rob Bisel, among others, who kept the project emotionally grounded and organic.
Recorded over three years at Miraval Studios in Correns, France, the 15-track album radiates the warmth of its title. Doja weaves French words into songs like “Happy” and “Lipstain,” grounding her rebirth in the culture that inspired it.
The album cover depicts Doja wearing a wedding gown as she dangles from a parachute stuck in a tree. While some fans were initially confused about how this image connects to the album, it captures the motifs of physical attraction, romance and vulnerability that her songs exemplify.
The yellow parachute symbolizes happiness, curiosity and the courage to take a leap of faith. The tree represents life and wisdom — its branches offering safety, while her inevitable fall reflects the pain and growth that come with life’s obstacles.
The best track on the album, “Take Me Dancing (feat. SZA),” shows the balance between intimacy and emotional connection. It captures the thrill of love, emphasized by its bouncing beat, groovy bassline and synths. The only song with a feature, it showcases the talent of R&B singer SZA, with whom Doja has collaborated for the 2021 hit “Kiss Me More” and SZA’s “Kill Bill” remix in 2023.
In the chorus, Doja sings, “It gets lonely out here in this big old mansion / In these hills cooped up, boy, can you take me dancing?” blending her vulnerability with luxury and portraying a relationship that is just as meaningful in private as it is in public. The blend of the duo’s voices adds depth and texture, making the lyrics even more impactful.
The booming rhythm and soft synthesizer create a dreamy quality that reflects the value of expressing love through actions rather than words.
A memorable experimental track is “AAAHH MEN!,” which samples “Main Title” from the 1980s TV show “Knight Rider.” It opens with a funky groove and sparkling guitar riffs before diving into witty wordplay. Doja uses her voice in ways that depart from her past works, making the song stand out on the album.
Singing, “He’s a fight to the death / He’s a gun to my head / An impossible friend,” Doja explores the intensity of desire, questioning whether complete devotion to one person is worth the cost. The title of the track nods to the Bible, using a play on the word “Amen” to emphasize the tension between devotion and temptation.
“Acts of Service,” an underrated track that swells in gentle waves of sound, its instrumental interludes rising and fading like a tide beneath the beat. The booming rhythm and soft synthesizer create a dreamy quality that reflects the value of expressing love through actions rather than words.
In the chorus, Doja sings, “Baby, how do I know for certain? / Does a key to your flat mean girlfriend?” She wonders whether small gestures define a relationship, and capturing the uncertainty of love, she ponders what actions indicate devotion.
A vibrant and introspective celebration of life, love and artistry, “Vie” surely lives up to its name. After exploring the dark, she steps into the light, glowing with confidence and clarity. Blending the nostalgia and funk of the ‘80s with a fresh, mainstream spark, Doja proves with this album that reinvention is her greatest strength.
