Doja Cat has officially gone retro. The Grammy-winning rapper-singer, best known for hits like Say So and Kiss Me More, dropped her fifth studio album Vie on Friday—an ambitious, neon-soaked project that draws heavy inspiration from the synths, snares, and flamboyance of 1980s pop. From the teased big-hair VMAs look to her Jealous Type video filled with throwback dance moves, she had been hinting at this direction for months, and now Vie proves she’s fully embraced it.
The record opens with Cards and Jealous Type, both dripping in synth-driven hooks and playful lyrics about risking vulnerability in love. Standout tracks like AAAHH MEN! showcase her experimental edge, layering whispers and shouts over pounding instrumentals to capture the chaos of dating. On the flip side, Silly! Fun! is a bubbly declaration of new love, gushing with unfiltered joy. Elsewhere, nods to legends of the era are clear—All Mine channels Prince’s smooth R&B swagger, while the cinematic closer Come Back feels tailor-made for a John Hughes end-credits scene.
Not every gamble lands. With 15 tracks on the playlist, Vie occasionally drifts into the repetitiveness that defined parts of the ‘80s, leaving songs like Couples Therapy and Acts of Service feeling flat compared to the album’s more dynamic highs. Still, Doja Cat’s fusion of nostalgic pop shimmer with her signature rap delivery keeps the project fresh. Vie may be uneven, but when it soars, it’s as catchy, campy, and colorful as the decade that inspired it.
#DojaCat #Vie #NewMusic #80sRevival
