Doja Cat ’s forthcoming album, Vie, has already sparked significant anticipation among fans and critics alike. With a tentative 16-track list and a preview of the song “Jealous Type” shared via Instagram Live, the artist appears to be charting a bold new course. However, based on her recent artistic trajectory, including the mixed reception of her previous album, Scarlet, there are questions about whether Vie will deliver on its promise.
The snippet of “Jealous Type” suggests a return to pop-funk sensibilities, reminiscent of Janet Jackson‘s iconic sound. The track features tight grooves and layered production. This choice marks a potential pivot from the darker, punk-inspired tones of Scarlet, which polarised listeners due to its thematic inconsistency and uneven pacing. Vie could signal a recalibration toward more accessible yet sophisticated pop music.
The provisional tracklist includes titles such as “Turn the Lights On,” “Lipstain,” and “Acts of Service,” hinting at intimacy and self-reflection. While these titles evoke curiosity, they also invite scrutiny. Previous efforts like Scarlet suffered from ambitious concepts that lacked cohesion, leaving some tracks feeling underdeveloped or out of place. For Vie to succeed, it must balance its thematic aspirations with sonic coherence.
Doja Cat’s career has been defined by her ability to adapt and innovate within the pop and rap genres. From the playful irreverence of Hot Pink to the polished ambition of Planet Her, she has consistently pushed boundaries. However, her recent pivot to darker aesthetics in Scarlet was met with criticism for its over-reliance on shock value and underwhelming lyrical depth. Tracks like “Demons” showcased her potential for reinvention but were undermined by others that felt derivative or overly provocative.
In this context, Vie represents an opportunity for Doja to refine her artistic identity. With contemporaries like Lil Nas X and Billie Eilish successfully navigating similar shifts in persona and sound, Doja faces the challenge of standing out in an increasingly crowded field of genre-blurring artists.
